Council and RNLI urge residents not to swim at Teddington Lock

With summer temperatures having pushed many people towards the river in recent weeks, Richmond Council has renewed its warning that swimming in the Thames at Teddington Lock carries serious risks — and asks residents to pass the message on.

The hazards are not always obvious from the bank. Cold water shock can incapacitate even strong swimmers within seconds of entering the river, while submerged debris and unexpectedly shallow sections pose additional dangers. The Thames at Teddington is also a working waterway, with boat traffic adding to the risk.

The council is working alongside RNLI Teddington Lifeboat Station, the London Fire Brigade, the Metropolitan Police and the Environment Agency to raise awareness across the borough this summer.

Residents who want to cool down are encouraged to use designated outdoor swimming venues rather than open stretches of the river. The council's full guidance on enjoying the Thames safely — including riverside walking, paddleboarding and kayaking — is available on its website.

The message is straightforward: the Thames can look inviting on a hot day, but the conditions beneath the surface make it a genuinely dangerous place to swim, however tempting a dip might seem.