What does an 'Excellent' water quality rating mean?

'Excellent' is the highest official designation awarded under UK Bathing Water Regulations. It signifies extremely low bacterial levels based on 4 years of continuous sampling.

How does heavy rainfall affect coastal water quality?

Heavy rain can cause surface runoff and storm overflow discharges. SwimSafe UK displays live Short Term Pollution (STP) risk warnings when rainfall threatens temporary water quality.

UK Beaches with Excellent Water Quality | Environment Agency Certified

Showing 36 of 375 Beaches (Page 1 of 11)

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Norfolk Excellent

Wells

🛟 Lifeguarded

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South East Excellent

Shoreham Beach

🛟 Lifeguarded

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South East Excellent

Hayling Eastoke

🛟 Lifeguarded

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South East Excellent

Whitecliff Bay

🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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From £787 Rural Retreats

Garden Cottage

Yorkshire Coastal Stay

Formerly the gardener’s accommodation, Garden Cottage stands within the former kitchen garden of Yorke House. This Victorian cottage has been lovingly renovated and beautifully ...

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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Dorset Excellent

Bournemouth Manor Steps

🛟 Lifeguarded

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Dorset Excellent

Poole Harbour Lake

🛟 Lifeguarded

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Devon Excellent

Exmouth

🛟 Lifeguarded

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Devon Excellent

Bovisand

🛟 Lifeguarded

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From £842 Cornwall Hideaways

Little Tresevens

Polzeath Polzeath Coastal Stay

Located just a ten minute walk from Polzeath Beach, Little Tresevens is a generously sized detached home, offering comfortable accommodation for up to six guests. Set in a peace...

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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Wales Excellent

Rest Bay Porthcawl

🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Pembrokeshire Excellent

Caerfai

🛟 Lifeguarded

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South East Excellent

Bracklesham Bay

🐶 Dog Friendly 🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Cornwall Excellent

Cawsand

🐶 Dog Friendly 🛟 Lifeguarded

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From £974 Cornwall Hideaways

Sally Port Cottage

St Mawes St Anthony Coastal Stay

Proudly presented in association with Trinity House, this special property is situated at the furthest point of the beautiful Roseland Peninsula. The lighthouse is still operati...

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Yorkshire Excellent

Wilsthorpe

🛟 Lifeguarded

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North East Excellent

Seaton Carew North Gare

🐶 Dog Friendly 🚩 Blue Flag

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Devon Excellent

Putsborough

🐶 Dog Friendly 🚩 Blue Flag

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Devon Excellent

Warfleet Creek, Dart Estuary

🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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From £473 Cornwall Hideaways

Maris Cottage

St Agnes St Agnes Coastal Stay

Maris Cottage is a cosy home from home, perfect for a family with small children or some surfing friends, tucked away in a quiet spot in the popular village of St Agnes.

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Norfolk Excellent

Gorleston Beach

🐶 Dog Friendly 🛟 Lifeguarded

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South East Excellent

Cotswold Country Park and Beach

🐶 Dog Friendly 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Kent Excellent

Sheerness

🐶 Dog Friendly 🛟 Lifeguarded

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South East Excellent

Colwell Bay

🐶 Dog Friendly 🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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From £995 Rural Retreats

Temple of Diana

Shropshire Coastal Stay

The Temple of Diana, built in the 1760’s for Sir Henry Bridgeman, is located within 1,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown Parkland on the Weston Park Estate. The Temple will sleep s...

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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Devon Excellent

Seaton (Devon)

🐶 Dog Friendly 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Devon Excellent

Breakwater Beach (Shoalstone)

1 tip

🐶 Dog Friendly 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Cornwall Excellent

Porthcurnick

🐶 Dog Friendly 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Wales Excellent

Barmouth

🐶 Dog Friendly 🛟 Lifeguarded

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From £540 Rural Retreats

Willow Cottage

Wiltshire Coastal Stay

Situated in the centre of the pretty Wiltshire village of Chilmark and surrounded by beautiful countryside, Willow Cottage is an idyllic mid-terraced thatched cottage, packed wi...

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North East Excellent

Blyth South Beach

🛟 Lifeguarded

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Cornwall Excellent

Millendreath

🛟 Lifeguarded

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Cornwall Excellent

Porthpean

🛟 Lifeguarded

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Cornwall Excellent

Gorran Haven Little Perhaver

🛟 Lifeguarded

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From £796 Dorset Hideaways

Piddle & Puddle

Dorchester And Chebbard Coastal Stay

Set in a beautiful rural landscape in the heart of Dorset, relax and unwind in these beautifully appointed cottages, complete with wood burning stove and luxury touches throughout.

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Devon Excellent

Hartland Quay

🛟 Lifeguarded

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Wales Excellent

Trecco Bay Porthcawl

🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Wales Excellent

Craig Du Beach Central

🛟 Lifeguarded

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Dorset Excellent

Bournemouth Southbourne

🐶 Dog Friendly 🚩 Blue Flag

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From £342 Rural Retreats

Stable Cottage

Dorset Coastal Stay

Sitting amidst stunning countryside in the pretty hamlet of Chantmarle, and close to the popular villages of Evershot and Cattistock, Stable Cottage is a delightful one bedroom ...

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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Dorset Excellent