I would really like to take my lab somewhere where she can swim without having to worry about polluted water.  We have a brook near us that runs the whole length of the park and she always wants to go in for a swim but it is really badly polluted and many times I have seen rats scuttling around it also smells pretty bad in the summer.
I wonder if there is anywhere around the London area or even a little drive out where I can take her for a lovely swim where the water is clean.
Can anybody help at all?
Thanks.

Not sure if you mean only outside but there are many dog swimming pools around that offer fun swims as well as post op swims (to aid with recovery).  My dog goes for post op reasons but my bitch goes for fun as she loves to swim and as my boy loves it too he will continue going after, he loves nothing more than to retrieve a ball the whole time :)

http://www.natural-animal-health.co.uk/Therapists/Lond-kent.htm

Hi
It would be nice if I could find a place outside for her as part of her walk but inside is great also.  She has mild hip dysplasia and I think the swimming would help her no end.
I am going to look at the link right now.
Thank you so much

Along the same lines as Enfielrotts suggested you could try a canine hydro-pool like this one - http://www.greyfriarshydrotherapy.co.uk/ (in Guildford close to London).

Our dog club has hired the pool for some evenings and the dogs really enjoy it (well apart from ours!)

Greg

I haven't been there since I was a child, but what about Hampstead Heath?  Three of the ponds are designated for human bathers but as I recall there are lots more. 

or Battersea Park?  The lake there does sometimes contain blue and green algae, although you are told when it appears) and obvoiusly the park does contain rats.  BUT, lots of people allow their dogs to swim in the purpose built 'swimming pool' that also contains lots of fountains and lots of fresh water. The dogs love it and the kids all laugh at the dogs paddling around!

hampstead heath sounds nice that is quite near aswell I will try taking her there what a great idea.  I also love the sound of Battersea Park
What is wrong with the blue and green algae though?  Is it poisonous?

I believe it's poisonous. There was a thread on this recently.

Blue green algae information.

Most rivers at the moment have low levels and the pollution is a problem. My local river now runs dry, not a drop :( as three valleys are taking all of the water :(
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/06/29/nwater29.xml

There are already a number of streams/rivers which enter the Thames that have had reports of dead fish. Thats a good sign of pollution so if I lived in London I would pass on letting my dog have a swim in it. Plus the sewage they can dump and do dump. Nothing is safe from human hands :(

you are right it is so upsetting that the rivers and streams are getting so polluted.  I will be very careful if I let her swim in any of them but I wish something could be done clear them all up.  The algae issue is also very worrying thank you for the link.  I did not know about it before then.

I live in Greater London and my dog swims in the Thames everyday all year round with no problems, as do most of the dogs around here, although I'm not sure how safe it is in Central London.  Pen Ponds in Richmond Park is popular, but like most still waters does have the blue green algae in the hot weather, so I avoid it during the summer.

I hope you don't live Putney way JenP!  Did you see the news report a couple of days ago regarding the sewage that had leaked into the Thames   The footage when the water lowered was revolting and left nothing to the imagination ;)

How about Virginia Waters just outside London in Staines ? Ive taken my boys there a few times and they love it :)

No further out than that - I think they have had a few problems with the sewage at Mortlake over the years. 

Haven't been to Virginia Water, but keep meaning to as I've heard such good things about it.  Greyfriars, just outside Guildford is good to, and has fun swims most days too.

Virginia Waters is good on a Sunday cos all the posh toffs go out walking there in their best clobber - best clobber and two wet, muddy and over friendly Irish Setters just dont go :D :D :D

Quote : best clobber and two wet, muddy and over friendly Irish Setters just dont go. lol :D

In East London a few good places are

Wansted Park(not the pond on Wansted Flats - thats horrible)  The park is quite large with some nice walks around the various lakes.  The lake next to the tea hut is lined with concrete which slopes gently in to the water, plenty of dog walkers sit on the benches having an ice cream or a cup of tea while there dogs splash about.

Leyton Flats at Whipps Cross the best place here for dogs to swim is the north side(Snaresbrook Rd carpark), theres a kind of gravel beach again plenty of dog walkers & other dogs swimming here.  Get there quick though as the water is rapidly dissappearing.

Both places can be accessd off the A12 or the North Circular & both places are part of Epping Forest so will be listed on  their website.

wow this is fantastic thanks everyone for these great swimming ideas - I think if the weather is good next weekend I am going to plan a trip to Viriginia Water to start with.  This is so exiting.  I know she will love to swim there although I am also slightly concerned about her jumping and shaking her thang all over the posh toffs!  Should be interesting.
Thanks everyone so much