With spring underway and Brits starting to head back to the beach, you might be looking for your next great swimming spot.

But not all beaches are equally inviting. 

There are 20 stretches of English coastline that have been classified as 'poor' for water quality, according to travel site Locals Insider.

This is the lowest rating issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) - and means swimming is not recommended.

Here's a rundown of the no-go spots... 

Littlehaven Beach, South Shields

Littlehaven Beach in South Shields is the first entry on the list, with the water quality rated as 'poor'.

The beach was newly classified as swimming water only in 2024, so it is unsurprising its rating is still low.

Local councillor Ernest Gibson, lead member for neighbourhoods and climate change, said: 'Littlehaven's rating is as we expected, and we continue to work with our partners, monitoring the water and identifying measures to drive improvement.

'However, we know this is not going to happen overnight and anticipate it will take several years for the water quality to reach the standard we'd like.'

Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside

Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside has hit the headlines before for its bad water quality, with the Environment Agency (EA) advising against swimming.

Since 2018, water quality at the beach has been given the lowest possible rating by the EA.

The 'poor' rating has long been blamed on contaminated groundwater, prompting Northumbrian Water to drill a network of boreholes in an attempt to work out the source of the pollution. 

Scarborough South Bay, North Yorkshire

Scarborough South Bay has consistently poor water quality - and swimmers are encouraged not to take a dip in the water here.

According to the EA, Scarborough South Bay and its beach are one of England’s best-loved seaside destinations - but the issue of the quality of the bathing water has troubled the bay for years.

The source of the pollution? Sewage, seabirds, dogs, agriculture, local industry and the harbour. 

Clacton (Groyne 41), Essex

Clacton-on-Sea was named one of the UK's worst seaside towns in a Which? survey.

Clacton (Groyne 41) beach, located near the pier, has even been called Essex's worst beach by EssexLive.

Swimming is not currently advised here due to poor water quality. 

Littlestone, Kent

Elsewhere in the UK, Littlestone beach in Kent is not recommended for swimmers.

Lots of visitors have pointed out the disgusting water, with one writing on Facebook: 'The water is disgusting and yet water companies still allowed to dump waste. Lots of people live in the area and a popular tourist spot.' 

Another added: 'Just read that following the latest water quality reports from the EA, both Dymchurch and Littlestone beaches have made it onto the 20 dirtiest beaches list. Not good for the tourism trade this summer!'

Dymchurch, Kent

Similarly, Dymchurch in Kent has been plagued by poor water quality, adding it to the list.

The Folkestone and Hythe District Council website adds: 'The cleanliness of the water has been rated as poor and bathing is not currently advised.'

Aside from swimming, though, the sand and shingle beach is popular among locals and visitors, especially thanks to its classic British seaside town charm. 

Worthing Beach House, West Sussex

Water quality at Worthing Beach House is rated as 'poor' - although other parts of this coastline are good for swimming, such as Goring beach.

Bathing may be affected by surface water and urban drainage during and after heavy rainfall. 

This mainly applies to the waters on the promenade and behind the popular Splashpoint Leisure Centre. 

Bognor Regis (Aldwick), West Sussex

Bognor Regis, named by consumer group Which? as the joint-worst seaside resort in Britain last year, receives many critical reviews - and one beach in the region is even considered unfit for swimming.

The bathing water at Aldwick beach has been classified as poor since 2022.

The EA has said: 'The surface water drainage is suspected of being a significant source of contamination to the bathing water. The investigations have involved sampling the numerous surface water outfalls to the beach during wet weather events.'

Southsea East, Portsmouth

Southsea East, Portsmouth is a popular beach that's filled in the summer months with kite flying, picnics and Brits soaking up sunshine - but as for the water itself, it's not quite as appealing.

According to Portsmouth City Council: 'Southsea seafront has two designated bathing areas where the Environment Agency has water sampling points: Eastney and Southsea East.

'The Environment Agency has classified the stretch of water between the Pyramids and South Parade Pier as ‘Poor’. They advise against swimming in this area. Warning signs are in place on this beach with information for visitors.' 

Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach, Dorset 

Litter is has been present on Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach, involving everything from sewage debris to tar, over the last decade. 

According to the EA, this poorly rated beach has levels of faecal indicator bacteria (E. coli and intestinal enterococci) from the River Lim, which increase as the river flows through the town. 

It added: 'DNA analysis of water samples collected from the stream indicate that the source of this contamination is predominantly human in origin (i.e. sewage). We have identified several contaminated surface water outfalls in Lyme Regis that discharge to the River Lim. Work by South West Water to stop this contamination is ongoing.'

Coastguards Beach, Erme Estuary, Devon

Only three swimming waters in Devon and Cornwall are classified as poor, according to Wild About The Erme River - and Coastguards is one.

Campaigns have been run to try to protect the water, but the rating is yet to change.

Emily Woodley, who led the Coastguards Beach Bathing Water campaign said: 'The categorisation of Coastguards Beach as "poor" is disappointing but sadly not a surprise.'

Instow, Devon

Visitors in Instow are advised not to swim as a result of the poor water quality - and the list of complaints goes on.

One Tripadvisor review read: 'There were more dogs than people on the beach. It is quite simply a huge dog toilet. There is dog poo everywhere.'

Another added: 'Do NOT swim. Water is very contaminated.'

Ilfracombe Wildersmouth, Devon

Ilfracombe Wildersmouth Beach is no stranger to poor reviews, especially relating to its water quality.

The beach is often listed among the winners of Brown Flag Awards, a list of coastal areas with high bacteria levels.

One reviewer wrote: 'Not a swimming or sandcastles beach... it’s not the most attractive of Ilfracombe’s beaches. The grey sand and outcrops of rock don’t exactly invite sunbathing or swimming.'

Dunster Beach, Somerset

Often considered among the dirties beaches in the UK, Somerset's Dunster beach is the next one up on the list.

According to Defra: 'In 2025, 60 pollution risk warnings were issued for this bathing water. All bathing waters have the potential to be affected by a pollution incident.'

It added: 'This bathing water is subject to short term pollution procedures. The Environment Agency makes a daily pollution risk forecast at this site based on the effects of rain, tide, wind and seasonality on bathing water quality. 

'These factors affect the levels of bacteria that get washed into the sea from livestock, sewage and urban drainage via rivers and streams and how they disperse. 

'When these factors combine to make short term pollution likely we issue a pollution risk warning on this website and the beach manager will display a sign advising against bathing at the bathing water.'

Blue Anchor West, Somerset

Another Brown Flag beach, Blue Anchor West, can also be found in Somerset.

Just two miles east of Dunster, it was classed as a 'newcomer' in the 2025 awards, as it only joined the list last year.

One visitor reviewed Blue Anchor West on UK Beach Guide, writing: 'If you’re used to the amazing beaches in Northumberland and Norfolk then this beach is a mega disappointment. It’s very stony and when tide is out, it’s just mud. Tide comes in very rapidly. Water is murky too.'

Burnham Jetty North, Somerset

Burnham Jetty North fares pretty badly when it comes to cleanliness, having been rated on 'Top of the Poops' for being polluted by sewage a reported 115 times in 2025.

According to Somerset Council, Burnham jetty is no longer designated as a bathing water under the Bathing Water Regulations.

As a result, permanent advice against bathing there is in place.

Weston-super-Mare Uphill Slipway, Somerset

While Weston-super-Mare is an example of a classic English seaside town, you might not want to swim in all areas.

Weston-super-Mare Uphill Slipway, for instance, is not designated bathing water - with the EA saying the most recent classification is poor, based on samples taken from 2022 through to 2025.

It added that in 2025, 38 pollution risk warnings were issued for this bathing water.

Weston Main, Somerset

Nearby Weston Main is subject to the same fate - with advice in place against bathing.

In the past, seagulls have been a significant source of poor bathing water quality at Weston Main.

And the EA added: 'At Weston Main for the four year (2022-2025) assessment period where data is available, sewage debris was not assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable, but was observed as being present on 5 per cent of visits. Litter was assessed as being sufficient to be objectionable for 3 per cent of visits, with 74 per cent of visits noting the presence of litter.'

Blackpool North, Blackpool

For many Brits, a seaside day in Blackpool will be a welcome treat - but swimming in the waters at Blackpool North might not be quite as warmly received.

Blackpool North is a large, sandy beach opposite the Blackpool Tower between the North and Central Piers - and has been rated as poor by the EA, with no-swim advice in place.

The EA explained: 'After a short-term pollution event, levels of bacteria typically return to normal after a day or so but it’s possible to have several warning days in a row. Details of the work to reduce the sources of bacteria at this bathing water are detailed in this profile. In 2025, 50 pollution risk warnings were issued for this bathing water.' 

Haverigg, Cumbria

Haverigg, a gently sloping gravel and sandy beach, is the final entry in the list of no-swim spots.

In 2025, 41 pollution risk warnings were issued for this bathing water.

Plus, litter was found to be present on the beach at 50 per cent of Environment Agency visits.

Spokesman for Locals Insider, Martin Danemaq, said: 'As temperatures rise across the UK and more people head to the coast for spring, it's important to be aware that a small number of beaches nationwide should be avoided for swimming.

'Just 20 beaches in the UK remain unsuitable for entering the water out of the 400 official bathing spots nationwide – some of which are nestled within the most popular coastal areas in the country.

'The good news is that only a very small number of beaches across England fall into this category, and there are still hundreds of great options for swimming. 

'However, be sure to check whether entering the water is advised when you're planning your next domestic trip to the beach.'