Eight Yorkshire Coast beaches are rated as excellent in the latest bathing water classifications and there are improvements for beaches in Bridlington and Flamborough.
All bathing waters in the East Riding of Yorkshire have been classified as ‘Sufficient’ or better by the Environment Agency, with five out of the area’s nine beaches classified as ‘Excellent’ in bathing water quality results published today (Tuesday 25 November).
Sampling taken throughout the summer of 2025 returned improvements in water quality at Bridlington South, which has seen its water quality classification rise from ‘Poor’ to ‘Sufficient’, and Flamborough South, which has risen from ‘Good’ to ‘Excellent’.
The Yorkshire Bathing Water Partnership, which includes East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency, says it has been working hard to deliver improvements through investment and by working with local stakeholders to identify sources of pollution and reduce their impact on the bathing waters.
Councillor Barbara Jefferson, the council’s cabinet member for heritage and coastal, said:
“I’m absolutely delighted with these new water quality results.
“We have worked hard as a partnership for a long time towards achieving positive results across the board for our East Riding beaches and that’s now paying off, although we have plenty more work to do.
“Bridlington South in particular is a gorgeous beach and fully deserved to have its classification raised.
“To have seven of our nine beaches achieving either ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’ results is outstanding and proves just what a marvellous, clean, safe and attractive coastline we have here in the East Riding.”
Miles Cameron, bathing water manager at Yorkshire Water, said:
“To have so many of the area’s beaches rated as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’ is a real positive for the area.
“As part of the bathing water partnership, we’ve been working hard to improve our operations, but also to work with local stakeholders to identify and reduce other sources of pollution and bacteria entering the bathing waters.
“While this is a positive step, particularly for Bridlington South, the partnership wants to continue efforts and help make further improvements where we can.
“For Yorkshire Water, this will come in the shape of significant investment in our networks in the area, with Bridlington wastewater treatment works and storm overflows in the area set for improvements and upgrades in the next four years.
“We hope that by continuing to work closely together the Yorkshire Bathing Water Partnership can further improve classifications on the east coast to benefit those who live in the area, as well as tourists and visitors.”
In May this year, five East Riding beaches were honoured with prestigious Blue Flags or Seaside Awards.
Hornsea and Withernsea were awarded Blue Flag status by environmental organisation Keep Britain Tidy in the internationally recognised scheme.
And Seaside Awards were presented to Bridlington North, South Landing and Wilsthorpe in the annual programme recognising the UK’s best beaches.
In North Yorkshire there is little change in the annual ratings.
Cayton Bay, Sandsend and Whitby retain their "Excellent" ratings, Reighton loses it's excellent status though, being downgraded to "Good".
In Scarborough there is no change with North Bay retaining it's "Sufficient" classification while South Bay continues to be rated as "Poor" with bathing not advised.
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