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 £413 Suffolk Hideaways

Top Step Cottage

Aldeburgh Coastal Stay

Top Step Cottage is a charming former fisherman’s cottage tucked away just off Aldeburgh’s bustling High Street. Sleeping up to three guests across two bedrooms, it’s the ideal ...

🏡 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 £625 Cornwall Hideaways

Villa Gallery 18

Truro Carnon Downs Coastal Stay

Positioned in a tranquil countryside setting, this charming two-bedroom cottage is located in close proximity to the lively city of Truro and the vibrant port town of Falmouth. ...

🏡 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 £971 Cornwall Hideaways

Besloe

Tintagel Trebarwith Strand Coastal Stay

Step into the timeless charm of Besloe, a beautifully preserved Grade II listed Cornish holiday home just moments from the golden sands of Trebarwith Strand. Dating back to the ...

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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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 £449 Cornwall Hideaways

5 Fernhill

St Ives Carbis Bay Coastal Stay

See the sea from this stunning apartment which enjoys panoramic sea views and is set within an exclusive development of nine beautiful holiday apartments in the heart of Carbis ...

🏡 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 £467 Cornwall Hideaways

Godrevy

Lizard Lizard Point Coastal Stay

The smallest of six former lighthouse keepers' cottages located on the southern-most tip of mainland Britain, Godrevy is a perfect romantic escape for two with dazzling scenery ...

🏡 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 £2,377 Dorset Hideaways

The Gate House

Wimborne And Wimborne Coastal Stay

The Gate House is a handsome country house located on the Dean’s Court Estate and is ideal for family holidays and celebrations with friends.

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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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 £472 Dorset Hideaways

Jurassic Cottage

Abbotsbury And Portesham Coastal Stay

Jurassic Cottage is a comfortable and cosy stone cottage situated in the pretty village of Portesham with its nearby pub, farm shop and cafe, and close to the famous Jurassic Co...

🏡 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 £419 Cornwall Hideaways

Acton Castle

Penzance Marazion Coastal Stay

Set within the historic Grade II listed Acton Castle, The Garden Apartment is a self-catering holiday apartment in West Cornwall for up to four guests. Overlooking Mount's Bay w...

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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Dorset Excellent