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 £743 Rural Retreats

Cartshed Lodge

Norfolk Coastal Stay

Located within easy walking distance of the bustling Norfolk Broads villages of Hoveton and Wroxham, Cartshed Lodge is a romantic and cosy couple's retreat. Nestled amongst stun...

🏡 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 £1,708 Rural Retreats

The Big Barn

Warwickshire Coastal Stay

Situated above the historic 16th century hamlet and private estate of Walton, close to Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon, The Big Barn is comprised of two stunning barn conversi...

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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 £1,383 Rural Retreats

Wharfe View Cottage

Yorkshire Coastal Stay

Located on the beautiful Bolton Abbey Estate, this quaint yet luxurious traditional York stone cottage boasts spectacular views across the Wharfe Valley and beyond. Comfortably ...

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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 £511 Rural Retreats

Fern

Dorset Coastal Stay

One of three unique, detached eco retreats, Fern and its neighbours Bracken and Bramble have been constructed in 2020 to the highest standards and enjoy far-reaching views and a...

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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 £478 Rural Retreats

Blackwood

Yorkshire Coastal Stay

Located just a stroll away from the town centre of Hornsea, and five minutes from the beach, Blackwood sits in the grounds of the owner's home, Ristonville, which was once home ...

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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 £473 Rural Retreats

Holly Cottage

Suffolk Coastal Stay

This Grade II, 17th century mid-terrace property is situated in the quiet Suffolk village of Huntingfield. Nearby places to visit include Framlingham with its impressive castle ...

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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 £764 Rural Retreats

Camlad Barn

Shropshire Coastal Stay

Camlad Barn offers the perfect getaway with friends or family. The lovingly restored barn conversion offers a relaxing social space for all ages to enjoy.

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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 £386 Rural Retreats

Archway House

Gloucestershire Coastal Stay

This delightful dog friendly, four-storey property is situated in picturesque Blockley, one of the Cotswold‘s most charming villages, within walking distance of the pub, shop an...

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Dorset Excellent