Map reveals UK’s filthiest beaches where YOUR kids will play this summer with waste-ridden waters & grim sewage levels

THE UK’S dirtiest beaches have been revealed with parents warned to be aware when letting their kids play in the sea this summer.

The 19 most filthy seaside spots were measured using the Environmental Agency’s water quality data and marked on a map.

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It emerged that the number of “Brown Flag Beaches” has soared by 46 per cent this year.

Brown Flags are a “poor” rating by the EA and are usually caused by the amount of sewage in the water.

The news comes ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend, when families will flock to their local beach for children to play in the sea.

Sunseekers have spent the last few days in rivers and beaches to cool off from the recent spell of scorching weather.

The worst counties for these beaches are Somerset and Kent, so families may want to stay wary of where they plan a seaside trip.

But those in Northumberland can rest easy, as over 90 per cent of its beaches were given the highest possible score.

Dorset, Devon and Cornwall also scored well when it came to cleanliness although each of the counties is also home to a Brown Flag beach. 

Lincolnshire and Hampshire also scored well for water cleanliness.

Holidayparkguru.co.uk analysed the data from the Environmental Agency.

Spokesperson Robbie Lane told the Mail: “I would like to extend my sympathies to beaches in Worthing, Lyme Regis and the other newcomers who have given Brown Flag Awards for the first time.

“We had hoped that we’d handing out fewer Brown Flags this year – but the numbers have surged.

“Do your research this summer and you’ll be saying ‘wish you were here’ rather than ‘wish I’d worn a hazmat suit’.”

Last year, a study of 400 beaches looked at the amounts of sewage, faecal matter and E.coli counts in the water.

Three stretches of Blackpool Beach, which welcomes 18 million visitors a year, made the top ten of the filth table.

Blackpool North was the worst offender, returning 4.85/10 for overall water cleanliness, making in Britain’s second dirtiest beach.

All of Blackpool’s beaches were found to have a 10/10 pollution risk by DEFRA.

In June 2023, Blackpool North – which sits in front of Blackpool Tower – was closed due to sewage in the water, with members of the public told to stay clear.

It was among four Blackpool beaches which advised people not to swim due to sewage in 2023.

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