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 £511 Cornwall Hideaways

Harbour Lights

Newquay Lusty Glaze Coastal Stay

Harbour Lights is a beautifully appointed first-floor holiday apartment just a short stroll from the golden sands of Lusty Glaze Beach, home to a popular beachfront restaurant w...

🏡 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 £353 Dorset Hideaways

Bakers Barn

Sherborne And Sherborne Coastal Stay

Bakers Barn is a delightful bijou retreat for two, well-equipped and beautifully furnished with everything needed for a comfortable and relaxing break. Ideally situated on the b...

🏡 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 £420 Dorset Hideaways

The Old Coach House

Dorchester And Ansty Coastal Stay

Nestled in the heart of rural Dorset, this charming detached former coach house sits on the edge of the pretty village of Ansty, and offers a comfortable and peaceful retreat fo...

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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 £277 Rural Retreats

The Glasshouse

Devon Coastal Stay

The Old Glasshouse is a charming one-bedroom cottage, beautifully converted from a derelict greenhouse into a cosy and stylish retreat. Nestled in a private location within the ...

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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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 £563 Dorset Hideaways

The Parlour

Dorchester And Duntish Coastal Stay

The Parlour is a beautiful barn style property, recently renovated to provide attractive and contemporary accommodation for up to six guests. Part of Duntish Mill Farm, and surr...

🏡 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 £405 Rural Retreats

Coot - Exton Park

Rutland Coastal Stay

Set within the historic walled garden of Exton Park in Rutland, Coot is one of six peaceful off-grid traditional safari tents surrounded by open countryside, mature trees and th...

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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 £842 Rural Retreats

Little Tresevens

Cornwall 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...

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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 £434 Rural Retreats

Wynn Cottage

Oxfordshire Coastal Stay

Wynn Cottage is a charming mid-terrace, double-fronted honey-stone cottage in the heart of the picturesque village of Adderbury, close to Banbury and Oxford and easily reached f...

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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Dorset Excellent