Owners of viral TikTok blue lagoon warn people to stay away
Owners of the viral Brombil Reservoir in Wales are attempting to restrict public access by charging a fee and installing barriers. The site has faced issues with littering, traffic, and safety risks due to its popularity on social media.
Why it matters
It highlights the tension between social media-driven tourism and the management of private, hazardous infrastructure.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Visitors must now pay a £2 fee online before coming to the blue lagoon
Owners of a "blue lagoon" that went viral on TikTok during the Covid pandemic have warned people not to enter the site, particularly during the current hot weather.
Brombil Reservoir in Margam in Neath Port Talbot attracted thousands of visitors, which caused traffic problems and littering .
To reach the 30m-deep (100ft) reservoir, visitors must walk up a steep 900m (2,953ft) public footpath.
Leisure Estate Investments Ltd, which bought the secluded site at auction for £20,000 in 2024, are now charging £2 a visit as "a temporary deterrent" and have installed barriers on its dam face.
It is concerned about people swimming, paddleboarding, littering and damaging structures around the site.
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