Scarborough South Bay, home of the Grand Hotel, was issued a “brown flag” in 2025, according to the latest assessments from the Environment Agency. This flag marked it as one of the UK beaches with poor bathing water quality.
This classification means the water at South Bay has been rated as “poor” for the second consecutive year, mainly due to elevated levels of bacteria such as E. coli and intestinal enterococci. These bacteria are typically associated with human and animal waste and can pose a health risk to swimmers, especially if the water is accidentally swallowed.
What Does a Brown Flag Mean?
The data comes from regular testing carried out during the UK bathing season, which runs from May 15 to September 30. The Environment Agency collects samples at designated bathing beaches across the country and rates them as “excellent”, “good”, “sufficient”, or “poor” based on bacterial concentrations. Scarborough South Bay has unfortunately fallen into the lowest category again this year.
Why Was Scarborough South Bay Rated Poor?
The likely causes of pollution in South Bay include occasional sewage discharges, urban surface water runoff, and contamination from seabird and dog faeces. Yorkshire Water has invested in infrastructure upgrades over the past decade, including improvements to storm overflow systems and treatment facilities, but the area remains vulnerable during periods of heavy rainfall, when overflow systems may discharge untreated or partially treated sewage into the sea.
The Impact on Locals and Tourists
This brown flag designation does not mean the beach is closed to visitors. However, local authorities are required to display warning signs to inform the public that the water quality is poor and that entering the sea may pose a health risk – especially for young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
Environmental groups and local residents have expressed concern over the beach’s continued failure to meet basic water quality standards. As one of the town’s most popular tourist destinations, South Bay plays a central role in Scarborough’s economy and reputation. Poor water ratings may deter swimmers and families during the summer, particularly when compared with nearby beaches that have performed significantly better.
How Does South Bay Compare to Other Local Beaches?
By contrast, Cayton Bay has both received an “excellent” rating in 2025, highlighting a clear divide in water quality across relatively short distances. This demonstrates that improvement is possible with sustained attention and investment.
Scarborough North Bay’s bathing water quality rating for 2025 is “sufficient”. This represents a decline from previous years, where the beach had been rated “good” and, before that, “excellent” until 2022
National Context: Other Beaches Affected in 2025
Nationally, 19 beaches in England received a “poor” rating this year, including Blackpool North, Porthluney in Cornwall, and Church Cliff Beach in Lyme Regis. While this is a small number compared to the total of over 400 designated bathing sites, the trend has drawn renewed attention to the state of the UK’s coastal waters.
What’s Being Done to Improve Water Quality?
The brown flag announcement has sparked calls for greater transparency around sewage releases and a stronger regulatory response. Groups such as Surfers Against Sewage and local coastal campaigners continue to advocate for tighter enforcement and improved monitoring of storm overflows and agricultural runoff.
How to Stay Informed Before You Swim
As Scarborough heads into the busy summer season, visitors are still encouraged to enjoy the beach – but to check the latest water quality reports and posted warnings before entering the sea. The Environment Agency provides real-time updates via its website, and Yorkshire Water’s BeachBuoy service also tracks storm overflow activity in key coastal areas.
While the brown flag is a disappointment, it also presents an opportunity – a clear signal that more needs to be done to protect one of the Yorkshire coast’s most iconic beaches.