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‘Do not swim’ warnings for over 40 seaside hotspots in UK this weekend – check map of where to avoid near you
SWIMMING warnings have been issued for over 40 seaside hotspots in the UK this weekend.
Brits have been urged to refrain from swimming in locations across the country because of raised levels of bacteria.
Water quality at designated bathing sites in England is assessed by the Environment Agency.
Between May and September each year, they take samples to measure the water quality.
Annual ratings classify each site as excellent, good, sufficient, or poor based on measurements taken over a period of up to four years.
And at a number of sites, daily pollution risk forecasts are issued.
But with temperatures soaring over the weekend and people flocking to beaches, Brits have been urged to not bathe at over 40 sites across the country.
Full list of locations hit by 'do not swim' warnings
- Littlehaven Beach
- Tynemouth Cullercoats
- Derwent Water at Crow Park
- Coniston Water, Boating Centre
- Blackpool North
- St Annes North
- River Ribble at Edisford Bridge
- Wharfe at Cromwheel, Ilkley
- Wharfe at Wilderness Carpark
- Nidd at the Lido, Knaresborough
- Bridlington South Beach
- Scarborough South Bay
- Heacham
- River Severn at Ironbridge
- River Severn in Shrewsbury
- River Teme in Ludlow
- Sheep’s Green, River Cam
- Wolvercote Mill Stream
- Wallingford Beach, River Thames
- Clacton (Groyne 41)
- Deal Castle
- Littlestone
- Dymchurch
- Frensham Great Pond
- Worthing Beach House
- Bognor Regis (Aldwick)
- Southsea East
- River Avon at Fordingbridge
- Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach
- River Frome at Farleigh Hungerford
- Burnham Jetty North
- Weston-super-Mare Uphill Slipway
- Weston Main
- River Tone at French Weir Park
- Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach
- Blue Anchor West
- Ilfracombe Wildersmouth
- Instow
- Steamer Quay, Dart Estuary
- Porthluney
- Coastguards Beach, Erme Estuary
Poor water quality
A swathe of locations have been designated poor bathing water quality with advise urging people against getting into the waters.
For example, Heacham Beach has been classified as poor quality since 2021 by the Environment Agency, with high levels of pollution in the water.
The dirty waters have been credited to animal waste coming from seabirds – as much as 60 per cent – rather than sewage waste.
The bacteria levels are highest in July and August – the peak tourist season – although the reasons are still being discussed.
Suggestions include a lack of rainfall and an increase in tourism.
And experts have warned that it could never be safe to swim in again.
In addition, it’s been advised not to swim in Cullercoats Bay, Tyneside, after it failed to meet the minimum standards for water quality – so it’s best just to frolic on the sand for this one.
And just this week, the Environment Agency issued a stark warning at Hill Head beach, Hampshire, because of a sewage line burst.
Fareham Borough Council confirmed that bathing water from Hill Head to Lee-on-the-Solent has been closed due to “sewage pollution”.
But despite over 40 locations designated as unsafe to swim in, there are still hundreds of other spots across the country for you to dip your toes.
What about the cleanest beaches?
We’ve rounded up some of the UK’s cleanest beaches you can swim in.
Which? has revealed the top six UK beaches with the highest water quality that are perfect for a swim.
Here are more UK beaches, and these three have been named the best in Europe by Tripadvisor this year.
While the UK didn’t bag the top spot, three of our beautiful beaches made it onto the list.
And here is one of England’s most secluded beaches you can now only reach by boat.
