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UK bathing waters rated Excellent

450 of the UK's 701 designated bathing waters hold an Excellent classification: 297 in England, 78 in Wales, 47 in Scotland and 28 in Northern Ireland.

The highest of the four standards, awarded on bacteria readings taken across up to the last four bathing seasons.

Updated August 2026

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England 297

Rated Excellent Shoreham Beach AdurRated Excellent Southwick AdurRated Excellent Middleton-on-sea ArunRated Excellent Alum Chine, Bournemouth Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Bournemouth Boscombe Pier Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Bournemouth Durley Chine Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Bournemouth Hengistbury West Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Bournemouth Manor Steps Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Bournemouth Pier Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Christchurch Avon Beach Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Christchurch Highcliffe Castle Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Christchurch Mudeford Sandbank East Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Fisherman's Walk, Bournemouth Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Friar's Cliff, Christchurch Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Highcliffe Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Poole Branksome Chine Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Poole Canford Cliffs Chine Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Poole Harbour Lake Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Poole Harbour Rockley Sands Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Poole Sandbanks Peninsular Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Poole Shore Road Beach Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Southbourne, Bournemouth Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleRated Excellent Herne Bay CanterburyRated Excellent Tankerton CanterburyRated Excellent West Beach, Whitstable CanterburyRated Excellent Bracklesham Bay ChichesterRated Excellent Selsey ChichesterRated Excellent West Wittering ChichesterRated Excellent Hampstead Heath (Mens Pond) City and County of the City of LondonRated Excellent Hampstead Heath (Mixed Pond) City and County of the City of LondonRated Excellent Henleaze Lake City of BristolRated Excellent Colwick Country Park (West Lake) City of NottinghamRated Excellent Plymouth Firestone Bay City of PlymouthRated Excellent Plymouth Hoe East City of PlymouthRated Excellent Plymouth Hoe West City of PlymouthRated Excellent Booby's Bay CornwallRated Excellent Carbis Bay CornwallRated Excellent Cawsand CornwallRated Excellent Chapel Porth CornwallRated Excellent Charlestown CornwallRated Excellent Church Cove CornwallRated Excellent Constantine Bay CornwallRated Excellent Coverack CornwallRated Excellent Crackington Haven CornwallRated Excellent Crinnis Beach CornwallRated Excellent Crooklets CornwallRated Excellent Daymer Bay CornwallRated Excellent Downderry CornwallRated Excellent Duporth CornwallRated Excellent Fistral North CornwallRated Excellent Fistral South CornwallRated Excellent Godrevy Towans CornwallRated Excellent Gorran Haven Little Perhaver CornwallRated Excellent Great Western CornwallRated Excellent Gwithian Towans CornwallRated Excellent Gwynver CornwallRated Excellent Gyllyngvase CornwallRated Excellent Harlyn Bay CornwallRated Excellent Hayle Towans CornwallRated Excellent Holywell Bay CornwallRated Excellent Kennack Sands CornwallRated Excellent Long Rock CornwallRated Excellent Lusty Glaze CornwallRated Excellent Maenporth CornwallRated Excellent Marazion CornwallRated Excellent Mawgan Porth CornwallRated Excellent Mexico Towans CornwallRated Excellent Millendreath CornwallRated Excellent Mother Ivey's Bay CornwallRated Excellent Northcott Mouth CornwallRated Excellent Pendower CornwallRated Excellent Pentewan CornwallRated Excellent Penzance CornwallRated Excellent Perranporth Penhale Sands CornwallRated Excellent Perranuthnoe CornwallRated Excellent Poldhu Cove CornwallRated Excellent Polkerris CornwallRated Excellent Polstreath CornwallRated Excellent Polurrian Cove CornwallRated Excellent Polzeath CornwallRated Excellent Porthallow CornwallRated Excellent Porthcothan CornwallRated Excellent Porthcurnick CornwallRated Excellent Porthcurno CornwallRated Excellent Porthgwidden CornwallRated Excellent Porthkidney Sands CornwallRated Excellent Porthleven Sands CornwallRated Excellent Porthmeor CornwallRated Excellent Porthminster CornwallRated Excellent Porthoustock CornwallRated Excellent Porthpean CornwallRated Excellent Porthtowan CornwallRated Excellent Portmellon CornwallRated Excellent Portreath CornwallRated Excellent Portwrinkle CornwallRated Excellent Praa Sands East CornwallRated Excellent Praa Sands West CornwallRated Excellent Sandymouth CornwallRated Excellent Seaton (Cornwall) CornwallRated Excellent Sennen CornwallRated Excellent Sharrow CornwallRated Excellent Shorthorn Beach CornwallRated Excellent Summerleaze CornwallRated Excellent Swanpool CornwallRated Excellent Tolcarne CornwallRated Excellent Towan CornwallRated Excellent Tregonhawke CornwallRated Excellent Trevaunance Cove CornwallRated Excellent Trevone Bay CornwallRated Excellent Treyarnon Bay CornwallRated Excellent Upton Towans CornwallRated Excellent Vault Beach CornwallRated Excellent Watergate Bay CornwallRated Excellent Wherry Town CornwallRated Excellent Widemouth Sand CornwallRated Excellent Cotswold Country Park and Beach CotswoldRated Excellent Crimdon County DurhamRated Excellent Silecroft CumberlandRated Excellent Charmouth West DorsetRated Excellent Church Ope Cove DorsetRated Excellent Durdle Door East DorsetRated Excellent Durdle Door West DorsetRated Excellent Eypemouth DorsetRated Excellent Hive DorsetRated Excellent Kimmeridge Bay DorsetRated Excellent Lulworth Cove DorsetRated Excellent Portland Harbour Castle Cove DorsetRated Excellent Portland Harbour Sandsfoot Castle DorsetRated Excellent Ringstead Bay DorsetRated Excellent Seatown DorsetRated Excellent Shell Bay North DorsetRated Excellent Studland Knoll House DorsetRated Excellent Swanage Central DorsetRated Excellent West Bay (West) DorsetRated Excellent Weymouth Lodmoor DorsetRated Excellent St Margaret's Bay DoverRated Excellent Beer East DevonRated Excellent Exmouth East DevonRated Excellent Ladram Bay East DevonRated Excellent Seaton (Devon) East DevonRated Excellent Sidmouth Beach East DevonRated Excellent Sidmouth Jacobs Ladder East DevonRated Excellent Anderby East LindseyRated Excellent Chapel St Leonards East LindseyRated Excellent Huttoft and Marsh Yard East LindseyRated Excellent Ingoldmells East LindseyRated Excellent Mablethorpe Town East LindseyRated Excellent Skegness East LindseyRated Excellent Sutton-on-Sea East LindseyRated Excellent Danes Dyke, Flamborough East Riding of YorkshireRated Excellent Flamborough South Landing East Riding of YorkshireRated Excellent Hornsea East Riding of YorkshireRated Excellent Wilsthorpe East Riding of YorkshireRated Excellent Withernsea East Riding of YorkshireRated Excellent Felixstowe North East SuffolkRated Excellent Felixstowe South East SuffolkRated Excellent Southwold The Denes East SuffolkRated Excellent Southwold The Pier East SuffolkRated Excellent Hillhead FarehamRated Excellent Hythe Folkestone and HytheRated Excellent Seabrook Folkestone and HytheRated Excellent Lee-on-Solent GosportRated Excellent Caister Point Great YarmouthRated Excellent Gorleston Beach Great YarmouthRated Excellent Great Yarmouth North Great YarmouthRated Excellent Great Yarmouth Pier Great YarmouthRated Excellent Great Yarmouth South Great YarmouthRated Excellent Hemsby Great YarmouthRated Excellent Seaton Carew North Gare HartlepoolRated Excellent St Leonards HastingsRated Excellent Hayling Beachlands Central HavantRated Excellent Hayling Beachlands West HavantRated Excellent Hayling Eastoke HavantRated Excellent Colwell Bay Isle of WightRated Excellent Compton Bay Isle of WightRated Excellent Cowes Isle of WightRated Excellent East Cowes Isle of WightRated Excellent Gurnard Isle of WightRated Excellent Seagrove Isle of WightRated Excellent Shanklin Isle of WightRated Excellent St Helens Isle of WightRated Excellent Totland Bay Isle of WightRated Excellent Ventnor Isle of WightRated Excellent Whitecliff Bay Isle of WightRated Excellent Yaverland Isle of WightRated Excellent Seaford LewesRated Excellent Calshot New ForestRated Excellent Christchurch Bay New ForestRated Excellent Lepe New ForestRated Excellent Milford-on-sea New ForestRated Excellent Combesgate Beach, Woolacombe North DevonRated Excellent Croyde Bay North DevonRated Excellent Lynmouth North DevonRated Excellent Putsborough North DevonRated Excellent Saunton Sands North DevonRated Excellent Woolacombe Village North DevonRated Excellent Cromer North NorfolkRated Excellent East Runton North NorfolkRated Excellent Mundesley North NorfolkRated Excellent Sea Palling North NorfolkRated Excellent Sheringham North NorfolkRated Excellent Wells North NorfolkRated Excellent West Runton North NorfolkRated Excellent Tynemouth King Edwards Bay North TynesideRated Excellent Tynemouth Long Sands North North TynesideRated Excellent Tynemouth Long Sands South North TynesideRated Excellent Whitley Bay North TynesideRated Excellent Cayton Bay North YorkshireRated Excellent Sandsend North YorkshireRated Excellent Whitby North YorkshireRated Excellent Amble Links NorthumberlandRated Excellent Bamburgh Castle NorthumberlandRated Excellent Beadnell NorthumberlandRated Excellent Blyth South Beach NorthumberlandRated Excellent Druridge Bay North NorthumberlandRated Excellent Druridge Bay South NorthumberlandRated Excellent Low Newton NorthumberlandRated Excellent Newbiggin North NorthumberlandRated Excellent Newbiggin South NorthumberlandRated Excellent Seahouses North NorthumberlandRated Excellent Seaton Sluice NorthumberlandRated Excellent Warkworth NorthumberlandRated Excellent Marske Sands Redcar and ClevelandRated Excellent Redcar Granville Redcar and ClevelandRated Excellent Redcar Lifeboat Station Redcar and ClevelandRated Excellent Redcar Stray Redcar and ClevelandRated Excellent Norman's Bay RotherRated Excellent Rutland Water Sykes Lane RutlandRated Excellent Rutland Water Whitwell Creek RutlandRated Excellent Formby SeftonRated Excellent Brean SomersetRated Excellent Porlock Weir SomersetRated Excellent Bantham South HamsRated Excellent Bigbury-on-Sea North South HamsRated Excellent Bigbury-on-Sea South South HamsRated Excellent Blackpool Sands South HamsRated Excellent Bovisand South HamsRated Excellent Challaborough South HamsRated Excellent Dartmouth Castle Cove South HamsRated Excellent Dittisham, Dart Estuary South HamsRated Excellent Mill Bay South HamsRated Excellent Salcombe South Sands South HamsRated Excellent Slapton Sands Monument South HamsRated Excellent Slapton Sands Torcross South HamsRated Excellent Thurlestone North South HamsRated Excellent Thurlestone South South HamsRated Excellent Warfleet Creek, Dart Estuary South HamsRated Excellent Marsden South TynesideRated Excellent Shoebury East Southend-on-SeaRated Excellent Southend Three Shells Southend-on-SeaRated Excellent Thorpe Bay, Southend Southend-on-SeaRated Excellent Roker - Sunderland SunderlandRated Excellent Minster Leas SwaleRated Excellent Sheerness SwaleRated Excellent Dawlish Coryton Cove TeignbridgeRated Excellent Dawlish Warren TeignbridgeRated Excellent Ness Cove TeignbridgeRated Excellent Teignmouth Holcombe TeignbridgeRated Excellent Brightlingsea TendringRated Excellent Clacton TendringRated Excellent Dovercourt TendringRated Excellent Frinton TendringRated Excellent Holland TendringRated Excellent Jaywick TendringRated Excellent Walton TendringRated Excellent Botany Bay, Broadstairs ThanetRated Excellent Joss Bay, Broadstairs ThanetRated Excellent Margate Fulsam Rock ThanetRated Excellent Minnis Bay, Birchington ThanetRated Excellent Ramsgate Sands ThanetRated Excellent Ramsgate Western Undercliffe ThanetRated Excellent Westbrook Bay, Margate ThanetRated Excellent Brighton Kemptown The City of Brighton and HoveRated Excellent Hove The City of Brighton and HoveRated Excellent Rottingdean Beach The City of Brighton and HoveRated Excellent Saltdean The City of Brighton and HoveRated Excellent Anstey's Cove (Torquay) TorbayRated Excellent Babbacombe TorbayRated Excellent Beacon Cove TorbayRated Excellent Breakwater Beach (Shoalstone) TorbayRated Excellent Broadsands TorbayRated Excellent Hollicombe TorbayRated Excellent Maidencombe TorbayRated Excellent Meadfoot TorbayRated Excellent Oddicombe TorbayRated Excellent Paignton Preston Sands TorbayRated Excellent St Mary's Bay (Devon) TorbayRated Excellent Torre Abbey TorbayRated Excellent Watcombe TorbayRated Excellent Hartland Quay TorridgeRated Excellent Westward Ho! TorridgeRated Excellent Frensham Great Pond WaverleyRated Excellent Birling Gap WealdenRated Excellent Windermere, Fellfoot Westmorland and FurnessRated Excellent Windermere, Lakeside YMCA Westmorland and FurnessRated Excellent Windermere, Millerground Landing Westmorland and FurnessRated Excellent Windermere, Rayrigg Meadow Westmorland and Furness

Wales 78

Rated Excellent Rest Bay, Porthcawl BridgendRated Excellent Sandy Bay, Porthcawl BridgendRated Excellent Trecco Bay Porthcawl BridgendRated Excellent Llanishen Reservoir CardiffRated Excellent Pembrey CarmarthenshireRated Excellent Pendine CarmarthenshireRated Excellent Borth CeredigionRated Excellent Cilborth CeredigionRated Excellent Llangrannog CeredigionRated Excellent Llanrhystud CeredigionRated Excellent Mwnt CeredigionRated Excellent Penbryn CeredigionRated Excellent Tresaith CeredigionRated Excellent Colwyn Bay ConwyRated Excellent Colwyn Bay Porth Eirias ConwyRated Excellent Llanfairfechan ConwyRated Excellent Penmaenmawr ConwyRated Excellent Aberdaron GwyneddRated Excellent Aberdyfi GwyneddRated Excellent Aberdyfi Rural GwyneddRated Excellent Abersoch GwyneddRated Excellent Barmouth GwyneddRated Excellent Craig Du Beach Central GwyneddRated Excellent Dyffryn (Llanendwyn) GwyneddRated Excellent Fairbourne GwyneddRated Excellent Glan Don Beach GwyneddRated Excellent Harlech GwyneddRated Excellent Llandanwg GwyneddRated Excellent Llyn Padarn GwyneddRated Excellent Morfa Dinlle GwyneddRated Excellent Morfa Nefyn GwyneddRated Excellent Porth Neigwl GwyneddRated Excellent Pwllheli GwyneddRated Excellent Tal-y-Bont GwyneddRated Excellent Tywyn GwyneddRated Excellent Aberffraw Isle of AngleseyRated Excellent Church Bay Isle of AngleseyRated Excellent Llanddona Isle of AngleseyRated Excellent Llanddwyn Isle of AngleseyRated Excellent Porth Dafarch Isle of AngleseyRated Excellent Rhosneigr Isle of AngleseyRated Excellent Silver Bay Rhoscolyn Isle of AngleseyRated Excellent St Davids - Benllech Isle of AngleseyRated Excellent Traeth Lligwy Isle of AngleseyRated Excellent Aberafan Neath Port TalbotRated Excellent Abereiddy PembrokeshireRated Excellent Abermawr PembrokeshireRated Excellent Barafundle PembrokeshireRated Excellent Broad Haven (Central) PembrokeshireRated Excellent Broad Haven (South) PembrokeshireRated Excellent Caerfai PembrokeshireRated Excellent Castle Beach, Tenby PembrokeshireRated Excellent Coppet Hall PembrokeshireRated Excellent Dale PembrokeshireRated Excellent Druidston Haven PembrokeshireRated Excellent Freshwater East PembrokeshireRated Excellent Freshwater West PembrokeshireRated Excellent Little Haven PembrokeshireRated Excellent Lydstep PembrokeshireRated Excellent Manorbier PembrokeshireRated Excellent Marloes Sands PembrokeshireRated Excellent Newgale PembrokeshireRated Excellent Nolton Haven PembrokeshireRated Excellent Penally PembrokeshireRated Excellent Poppit West PembrokeshireRated Excellent Sandy Haven PembrokeshireRated Excellent Saundersfoot PembrokeshireRated Excellent Tenby South PembrokeshireRated Excellent West Angle PembrokeshireRated Excellent Whitesands PembrokeshireRated Excellent Bracelet Bay SwanseaRated Excellent Caswell Bay SwanseaRated Excellent Langland Bay SwanseaRated Excellent Port Eynon Bay SwanseaRated Excellent Rhossili SwanseaRated Excellent Col-Huw Beach (Llantwit Major) the Vale of GlamorganRated Excellent Cold Knap, Barry the Vale of GlamorganRated Excellent Southerndown the Vale of Glamorgan

Scotland 47

Rated Excellent Aberdeen ScotlandRated Excellent Aberdour (Silversands) ScotlandRated Excellent Aberdour Harbour (Black Sands) ScotlandRated Excellent Achmelvich ScotlandRated Excellent Anstruther (Billow Ness) ScotlandRated Excellent Arbroath (West Links) ScotlandRated Excellent Balmedie ScotlandRated Excellent Broughty Ferry ScotlandRated Excellent Carnoustie ScotlandRated Excellent Carrick ScotlandRated Excellent Crail (Roome Bay) ScotlandRated Excellent Cruden Bay ScotlandRated Excellent Cullen Bay ScotlandRated Excellent Culzean ScotlandRated Excellent Dornoch ScotlandRated Excellent Dunnet ScotlandRated Excellent Elie (Harbour) and Earlsferry ScotlandRated Excellent Elie (Ruby Bay) ScotlandRated Excellent Findhorn ScotlandRated Excellent Fraserburgh (Philorth) ScotlandRated Excellent Gairloch Beach ScotlandRated Excellent Ganavan ScotlandRated Excellent Gullane ScotlandRated Excellent Kingsbarns ScotlandRated Excellent Kirkcaldy (Seafield) ScotlandRated Excellent Largs (Pencil Beach) ScotlandRated Excellent Loch Morlich ScotlandRated Excellent Lunan Bay ScotlandRated Excellent Machrihanish ScotlandRated Excellent Millport Bay ScotlandRated Excellent Monifieth ScotlandRated Excellent Montrose ScotlandRated Excellent Nairn (Central) ScotlandRated Excellent Nairn (East) ScotlandRated Excellent Pease Bay ScotlandRated Excellent Peterhead (Lido) ScotlandRated Excellent Prestwick ScotlandRated Excellent Rosehearty ScotlandRated Excellent Rosemarkie ScotlandRated Excellent Sand Beach ScotlandRated Excellent Seacliff ScotlandRated Excellent Seamill ScotlandRated Excellent St Andrews (East Sands) ScotlandRated Excellent Stonehaven ScotlandRated Excellent Thorntonloch ScotlandRated Excellent Troon (South Beach) ScotlandRated Excellent Whitesands Scotland

Northern Ireland 28

Rated Excellent Ballywalter Ards and North Down Borough CouncilRated Excellent Brompton Ards and North Down Borough CouncilRated Excellent Cloughey Ards and North Down Borough CouncilRated Excellent Donaghadee Ards and North Down Borough CouncilRated Excellent Groomsport Ards and North Down Borough CouncilRated Excellent Ballycastle Causeway Coast and Glens Borough CouncilRated Excellent Castlerock Causeway Coast and Glens Borough CouncilRated Excellent Cushendall Causeway Coast and Glens Borough CouncilRated Excellent East Strand, Portrush Causeway Coast and Glens Borough CouncilRated Excellent Magilligan Benone Causeway Coast and Glens Borough CouncilRated Excellent Portrush Whiterocks Causeway Coast and Glens Borough CouncilRated Excellent Waterfoot Causeway Coast and Glens Borough CouncilRated Excellent West Strand, Portrush Causeway Coast and Glens Borough CouncilRated Excellent Crawfordsburn DAERA -NIEARated Excellent Helen’s Bay DAERA -NIEARated Excellent Ballygally Mid and East Antrim Borough CouncilRated Excellent Brown’s Bay Mid and East Antrim Borough CouncilRated Excellent Carnlough Mid and East Antrim Borough CouncilRated Excellent Drain’s Bay Mid and East Antrim Borough CouncilRated Excellent Portmuck Mid and East Antrim Borough CouncilRated Excellent Portstewart National TrustRated Excellent Ballyhornan Newry, Mourne and Down District CouncilRated Excellent Cranfield Newry, Mourne and Down District CouncilRated Excellent Kilclief Newry, Mourne and Down District CouncilRated Excellent Murlough (Co Down) Newry, Mourne and Down District CouncilRated Excellent Newcastle Newry, Mourne and Down District CouncilRated Excellent Tyrella Newry, Mourne and Down District CouncilRated Excellent Warrenpoint Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

The other classifications

Common questions

How many UK bathing waters are rated Excellent?
450 of the UK's 701 designated bathing waters are rated Excellent: 297 in England, 78 in Wales, 47 in Scotland and 28 in Northern Ireland.
What does an Excellent rating mean?
The highest of the four standards, awarded on bacteria readings taken across up to the last four bathing seasons.
Does this rating tell me whether it is safe to swim today?
No. The classification is a percentile over up to four bathing seasons, so it describes the water's record rather than today's conditions. Open any bathing water for a live verdict built from sewage discharges, rainfall and the latest sample.