The Environment Agency has identified 18 UK beaches, including popular destinations like Blackpool North, Weston-super-Mare, and Scarborough South Bay, as unsuitable for swimming this summer due to high pollution levels and poor water quality ratings. Concerns have been raised over the state of water quality in the UK’s waterways, with several beaches facing permanent swimming advisories.
The Environment Agency has flagged several UK beaches as unsuitable for swimming this summer due to high pollution levels. Popular destinations such as Blackpool North, Weston-super-Mare, and Scarborough South Bay are among the 18 beaches where water quality has been classified as “poor,” and swimming is not advised.
In total, there are 425 designated bathing spots in England, with 281 rated as “excellent” and 99 as “good.” The Environment Agency routinely tests these sites for harmful bacteria, including E. coli and Intestinal enterococci, and provides ratings of “excellent,” “good,” “sufficient,” or “poor” based on the findings.
Permanent advice against swimming has also been issued for Clacton (Groyne 41), Instow, Ilfracombe Wildersmouth, and Burnham Jetty North.
This assessment has raised concerns over the state of water quality following years of sewage pollution in the UK’s waterways.
Among the notable beaches with “poor” ratings are:
- Blackpool North
- Bognor Regis (Aldwick)
- Bridlington South Beach
- Dunster Beach
- Heacham
- Littlestone
- Porthluney
- River Deben Estuary, Waldringfield
- Scarborough South Bay
- Southsea East
- St Annes North
- St Mary’s Bay (Kent)
- Tynemouth Cullercoats
- Weston Main
- Weston-super-Mare Sand Bay
- Weston-super-Mare Uphill Slipway
- Wharfe at Cromwheel, Ilkley
- Wolvercote Mill Stream
