Can you swim at Wells?

Caution. Pollution risk is raised today. Wells is a designated bathing water, so it is sampled and rated every season. This answer covers water quality only, not tides, currents or lifeguard cover.

What is the water quality like at Wells?

Wells is rated Excellent in the regulator's latest annual classification, a percentile taken over readings from up to four bathing seasons. The most recent sample, taken 23 August 2026, showed 10 cfu/100ml of E. coli and 10 cfu/100ml of intestinal enterococci.

Has there been sewage at Wells recently?

No. No storm overflow within ten kilometres of Wells has discharged in the last 48 hours.

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England · North Norfolk

Wednesday 2 September

Wells

Caution. Pollution risk is raised today.

Water quality only This says nothing about tides, rip currents, cold water shock or lifeguard cover. Cold water and currents are dangerous even when the water is clean. Read the local signs before you go in. What we cannot tell you.

Checked 03:24 UK time

Why this verdict

Pollution risk forecast: Increased (negative factor)
Annual classification: Excellent (positive factor)
Rainfall (24h): 0mm (positive factor)
Latest E. coli: 10 cfu/100ml (positive factor)
Latest intestinal enterococci: 10 cfu/100ml (positive factor)

Latest bacteria reading

Latest sample · 23 August 2026 · 9 days ago

E. coli: 10cfu/100ml
Intestinal enterococci: 10cfu/100ml

The regulator samples weekly during the bathing season. E. coli and intestinal enterococci are the indicator organisms used in the official classification.

Storm overflows nearby

The Environment Agency does not link any storm overflow directly to Wells, so there is no spill record for it. There were 5 monitored overflows within ten kilometres in 2025, whether or not they drain here.

Common questions

Can you swim at Wells?: Caution. Pollution risk is raised today. Wells is a designated bathing water, so it is sampled and rated every season. This answer covers water quality only, not tides, currents or lifeguard cover.
What is the water quality like at Wells?: Wells is rated Excellent in the regulator's latest annual classification, a percentile taken over readings from up to four bathing seasons. The most recent sample, taken 23 August 2026, showed 10 cfu/100ml of E. coli and 10 cfu/100ml of intestinal enterococci.
Has there been sewage at Wells recently?: No. No storm overflow within ten kilometres of Wells has discharged in the last 48 hours.

Where this data comes from

Spill counts from the Environment Agency EDM Storm Overflow Annual Returns, 2021 to 2025, published annually.
View the regulator's full profile

Other beaches nearby

Rated Good Hunstanton (Old Hunstanton) King's Lynn and West Norfolk Rated Excellent Sheringham North Norfolk Rated Good Hunstanton Main Beach King's Lynn and West Norfolk Rated Sufficient Heacham King's Lynn and West Norfolk

Cleanest beaches in North Norfolk →

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Gareth Clubb