With the UK in the unforgivingly hot throes of its third heatwave of the year — it’s no surprise its residents will be flocking to beaches and seaside resorts for some respite over the next few weeks.
While selecting which beach to head to, it’s important to keep in mind its levels of cleanliness — the last thing you want is to arrive at a beach littered with waste or worse.
New data from plastic waste experts at BusinessWaste.co.uk has revealed the UK’s most littered beaches and those with zero rubbish. The rankings will make the task of choosing that perfect beachside getaway exponentially easier.
Graham Matthews, plastic waste expert at BusinessWaste, says: “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.”
He highlights the adverse impact of litter, especially plastic: “All this unsightly litter ruins the enjoyment of our beaches, but it also threatens local wildlife. Plastic is a particularly major hazard as it takes so long to break down naturally. Initially, this litter can endanger wildlife, entangle animals or be ingested. However, over time, plastic breaks down into smaller particles known as microplastics that find their way into water, sea life, and even our food chain.”
In the list of the UK’s top 10 most littered beaches, Skegness Beach in Lincolnshire took the top spot, with 4.91% of Tripadvisor reviews mentioning rubbish. Out of a total of 994 reviews, 63 highlighted litter problems at this popular spot.
Some reviewers labelled the beach as ‘Dirty and run down’, while others reported finding ‘cups and straws and items of clothing’ in the sand. A review from June 2025 even mentioned issues with ‘human waste and serviettes covered in faeces’. However, not all experiences were negative, with many visitors praising it as a great location for a family day out, complimenting the numerous bars, shops, and restaurants.
Margate Main Sands took second place in the list. Out of 851 reviews, 50 referred to litter, resulting in a percentage of 4.4%. Despite being listed as a top attraction in several ‘things to do in Margate’ lists, many visitors’ reviews complained about rubbish, including broken glass, dog excrement, and human urine at the seaside location. While some reminisced about childhood visits, others expressed their disappointment upon returning.
Formby Beach in Merseyside clinches the third spot, with 3.83% of reviews citing litter as a problem – that’s 39 out of 731 reviews. Despite an overall rating of 4.2, the North West beach has been marred by reports of rubbish.
A review from May 2025 paints a picture of an overcrowded beach strewn with litter and a car park that’s full by 10:30 am. Several other posts speak of abandoned picnics, discarded disposable BBQs, and even drug paraphernalia.
Blackpool Beach in the North West and Whitmore Bay Beach in Wales complete the top five in the list of the UK’s most littered beaches.
15 UK beaches did not receive any complaints about litter, with zero reviews mentioning rubbish issues. Four of these pristine locations have amassed over 1,000 reviews: Southwold Pier in Sussex, Sandsend Beach in North Yorkshire, Horsey Beach in Norfolk, and Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris in Scotland.
In Northern Ireland, all four of the beaches that were analysed were free from litter-related reviews. Similarly, one Scottish beach, Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris, had no such complaints out of the seven examined.
Three out of eight Welsh beaches analysed also had zero litter-related reviews. In England, seven out of the 59 beaches studied were devoid of any litter complaints, accounting for 11.8% of the sample.
Graham has urged beachgoers to be more aware of their environmental impact, advising: “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. Remember to bring a bag with you to collect any rubbish once you’ve finished your visit. Beyond this, it’s important to reduce your impact further. Consider bringing reusable water bottles as opposed to single-use plastic and avoid the use of difficult-to-clear items such as disposable BBQs.”
The plastic waste expert also shared some easy ways through which beach littering can be controlled: “Local councils may find it hard to keep on top of litter, especially during unpredictable peak periods. Simple provisions like signage, employing local volunteers, and providing litter picking equipment for the public can make a huge difference. Outside of this, the best deterrent is to issue fines to those who continue to litter our natural beauty spots.”