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 £1,951 Rural Retreats

Coulscott House

Devon Coastal Stay

This exquisite family retreat warmly welcomes up to 15 guests and your four-legged travel companions to enjoy a slice of rural Devonshire paradise. Nestled in a peaceful valley,...

🏡 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 £230 Dorset Hideaways

Keepers Cottage

Bridport And Chilcombe Coastal Stay

Sitting proudly within 20 acres of stunning countryside, including meadows, woodland and a lake, Keepers Cottage is located in a pretty courtyard of converted former farm buildi...

🏡 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 £446 Rural Retreats

Rhiwelli

Pembrokeshire Coastal Stay

Rhiwelli sits in four acres of sloping grounds on the northern flanks of the Preseli Hills. The panoramic sea views are breath-taking on a sunny day from the patio and terraced ...

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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 £1,120 Rural Retreats

Cutbush Farm House

Norfolk Coastal Stay

Located near the rural village of Hingham, Cutbush Farm House is a timber-framed building that is steeped in history dating back to the 17th Century. Now revived it offers its g...

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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 £724 Rural Retreats

Rexton House

Vale Of Glamorgan Coastal Stay

Rexton House is light and spacious property, tucked away in the beautiful seaside town of Llanwit Major. This comfortable property is the perfect base to explore the local area ...

🏡 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 £576 Rural Retreats

Courtyard Cottage

Dumfries Galloway Coastal Stay

Sitting on the edge of Galloway Forest, Courtyard Cottage is ideally situated for couples who wish to explore the unspoilt area of the Glenkens and further afield.

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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 £651 Suffolk Hideaways

Samphire

Aldeburgh Coastal Stay

Set just a 10-minute seafront stroll from Aldeburgh’s vibrant High Street, Samphire is a stylish coastal retreat offering sea views from the main sitting room and master bedroom...

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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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 £573 Rural Retreats

Little Star

Norfolk Coastal Stay

Tucked away in the pretty village of Ringstead, just two miles from beautiful Old Hunstanton beach, Little Star is a beautiful romantic cottage for two, oozing rustic coastal ch...

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Dorset Excellent