United Kingdom — Water Temperature in Seas, Lakes and Rivers
Check today’s water temperatures across United Kingdom, including seas, lakes, and rivers. View real-time updates and seasonal ranges for both coastal and inland waters. We find every place where you can swim and show you the water temperature there today and throughout the year.
Sea Water Temperature Along the Coast
Chart of Average Temperature Changes Over the Last 60 Days
Places with the Warmest Sea Water Today
The Most Popular Seaside Places
Coastal Seas and Oceans
Water Temperature in Lakes and Rivers
Popular Lakes
Popular Rivers
Popular Places
Water Temperature and Swimming Overview
Regions and Map
Water Temperature Trends
The United Kingdom’s coastal waters are generally cool year-round, with clear regional and seasonal variation. In winter sea temperatures typically drop to about 5–9 °C (41–48 °F) around most coasts, sometimes a little lower in northern and exposed areas. During the warmer months, from late June to September, coastal waters commonly rise to roughly 12–18 °C (54–64 °F) on much of the coastline, with the warmest spots—sheltered bays on the south coast and parts of the English Channel—occasionally reaching 18–20 °C (64–68 °F) in the height of summer. The Atlantic-facing west coast and North Sea areas tend to stay cooler, especially where tides and currents are strong. These temperatures make casual sea swimming brisk; only a minority of swimmers find them comfortably warm without thermal protection outside the warmest weeks.
Swimming Conditions
Inland lakes and rivers also show seasonal swings, often warming to 14–22 °C (57–72 °F) in shallow, sheltered lakes during summer and falling to 1–8 °C (34–46 °F) through winter. Swimming in the UK is widely allowed in public waters and wild swimming is a popular activity, but it carries risks. Local rules, water quality, strong currents, tides, sudden depth changes and cold-water shock are important considerations, and many beaches are only lifeguarded seasonally. Swimmers often use wetsuits for cooler conditions and are advised to follow local guidance and signage about safety and pollution to decide when and where to swim.