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 2 of 11)

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Wales Excellent

Penbryn

🛟 Lifeguarded

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Anglesey Excellent

Traeth Lligwy

🛟 Lifeguarded

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Yorkshire Excellent

Hornsea

🐶 Dog Friendly 🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Norfolk Excellent

Mundesley

🐶 Dog Friendly 🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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From £926 Rural Retreats

Teign Vale

Devon Coastal Stay

Set in the tranquil Teign Valley, Teign Vale makes the most of its position, with a staggering 16 metres of bi-fold doors opening out to a tiled balcony overlooking the beautifu...

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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Dorset Excellent

Christchurch Friar`s Cliff

🐶 Dog Friendly 🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Dorset Excellent

Hive

🐶 Dog Friendly 🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Wales Excellent

Morfa Nefyn

🐶 Dog Friendly 🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Anglesey Excellent

Aberffraw

🐶 Dog Friendly 🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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From £2,400 Rural Retreats

Seagate House

Norfolk Coastal Stay

Located in the beautiful coastal village of Brancaster, Seagate House is a luxurious retreat, ideally situated for exploring the wild North Norfolk coast. With fabulously unique...

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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Norfolk Excellent

West Runton

🛟 Lifeguarded

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Dorset Excellent

Highcliffe

🛟 Lifeguarded

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South East Excellent

St Helens

1 tip

🛟 Lifeguarded

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Devon Excellent

Dittisham, Dart Estuary

🛟 Lifeguarded

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From £1,393 Rural Retreats

Foxhole Cottage (10)

Suffolk Coastal Stay

Foxhole Cottage is a beautifully refurbished cottage with a large spacious garden, set in the idyllic rural location of Framsden, Framlingham. Sleeping up to eight adults and tw...

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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Anglian Excellent

Jaywick

🐶 Dog Friendly 🚩 Blue Flag

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Cornwall Excellent

Gwithian Towans

🐶 Dog Friendly 🚩 Blue Flag

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Cornwall Excellent

Tolcarne

1 tip

🐶 Dog Friendly 🚩 Blue Flag

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Cornwall Excellent

Treyarnon Bay

🐶 Dog Friendly 🏄 Surf Spot 🚩 Blue Flag

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From £600 Cornwall Hideaways

Deugh an Chy

Lizard Porthleven Coastal Stay

Tucked away in a rural setting between Porthleven and Marazion, Deugh an Chy is a much-loved Cornish cottage that can comfortably accommodate seven guests. Embraced by open coun...

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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Wales Excellent

Aberdyfi Rural

🐶 Dog Friendly 🚩 Blue Flag

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Devon Excellent

Mill Bay

🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Wales Excellent

Llangrannog

🛟 Lifeguarded

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North East Excellent

Redcar Lifeboat Station

🐶 Dog Friendly 🛟 Lifeguarded

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From £530 Cornwall Hideaways

6 Sandy Lane

St Ives Carbis Bay Coastal Stay

6 Sandy Lane is hidden away in a peaceful location, just a short walk from the beautiful beach at Carbis Bay.

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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Yorkshire Excellent

Flamborough South Landing

🐶 Dog Friendly 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Anglesey Excellent

Silver Bay Rhoscolyn

🐶 Dog Friendly 🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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South East Excellent

Shanklin

🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Dorset Excellent

Poole Canford Cliffs Chine

🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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From £554 Cornwall Hideaways

Spring Tide

St Agnes Porthtowan Coastal Stay

Spring Tide is a stunning four-bedroom beach house situated in the scenic Porthtowan, nestled within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

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Devon Excellent

Teignmouth Holcombe

🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Devon Excellent

Bantham

🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Wales Excellent

Fairbourne

🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Dorset Excellent

Church Ope Cove

🐶 Dog Friendly 🚩 Blue Flag

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From £480 Cornwall Hideaways

The Corner Cottage

St Ives Hayle Coastal Stay

Retreat to somewhere utterly spellbinding - This charming 17th Century former farm cottage oozes peace, tranquillity and the utmost comfort, with exposed granite monoliths, feat...

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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Cornwall Excellent

Duporth

🐶 Dog Friendly 🚩 Blue Flag

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Cornwall Excellent

Porthcothan

🐶 Dog Friendly 🚩 Blue Flag

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North East Excellent

Druridge Bay North

🏄 Surf Spot 🛟 Lifeguarded

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Cornwall Excellent

Downderry

🛟 Lifeguarded

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From £819 Rural Retreats

Artist's Studio

Dorset Coastal Stay

Perfect for up to six guests and recently refurbished. The unique Artist's Studio at West Lodge invites you to stay in the quaint village of Piddlehinton in the picturesque Pidd...

🏡 Holiday Cottage 🌊 Near Coast

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Norfolk Excellent