BRITAIN’S dirtiest beaches have been revealed, with visitors reporting human faeces and drug paraphernalia strewn across the sand.
With the now just around the corner and , many families are likely making plans to take a trip to the beach.
However, there are some beaches you might want to avoid...
Skegness
According to plastic waste experts from BusinessWaste.co.uk, the dirtiest beach in the UK is Skegness Beach, in .
The popular seaside resort may boast a bustling pier and an exhilarating theme park, but is also has the most amount of reviews that mention litter.
One tourist described the beach as “dirty and run down”;, whilst another complained that their children were “pulling out cups and straws and items of clothing out of the sand”;.
Shockingly, the most recent review for the beach, posted in June 2025, described seeing “human waste and serviettes covered in faeces.”;
However, many others described it as having “miles and miles of sandy, beautiful beaches”; and as being “glorious.”;
Margate Main Sands
Margate Main Sands ranks second on the list, with visitors complaining about broken glass, dog poo and rubbish.
One reviewer said: ”;The whole place is a dive!
“It seems to be used as the toilet of Kent.”;
Another reviewer fumed: “Filthy, filthy, filthy. Rubbish is everywhere in the sea and on the beach. Glass bottles floating in the sea and used nappies all over the beach.”;
However, many others had a very pleasant experience at the Kent beach, with one person describing it as being a “beautiful and safe beach”;, and another stating that it has a “brilliant white beach.”;
Formby Beach
Formby Beach, known for its sand dunes and diverse wildlife, is third on the list, with visitors describing seeing the sand littered with drug paraphernalia, disposable BBQs and litter.
One reviewer said: “The beach was such a disappointment, it was full of house bricks and broken glass and resembled a building site rather than a beach.”;
A second person said: “The problems are multiple. Parking, litter, overcrowding, violence, drink and .”;
The research also found that the cleanest beaches in the UK are Southwold Pier, Sandsend Beach and Horsey beach which all have zero reviews mentioning litter.
Graham Matthews,expert at Business Waste said: “Litter on the UK’s beaches turns our natural beauty spots into an eyesore and poses a huge environmental threat to marine life.
“Each year, as the weather heats up, we see a sharp rise in people flocking to the seaside, but sadly, many don’t clean up after themselves. It’s common to find food packaging, disposable BBQs, and even human and animal waste scattered across our shores.
“All this unsightly litter ruins the enjoyment of our beaches, but it also threatens local wildlife.
“Beachgoers must take responsibility for the impact of their visit. You should always bin any litter or take it home with you if this isn’t possible.”;
