Saunton Sands water quality history
Explore historical Environment Agency samples and annual bathing water classifications for Saunton Sands in North Devon.
Saunton Sands bathing water is on the north coast of Devon. It is a sandy beach resort backed by sand dunes. The beach is approximately four kilometres wide. The Taw/Torridge Estuary enters the sea at the southern end of the beach.
- Available sample history
- 1988 to 2026
- Samples
- 776
- Latest official classification
- Excellent (2025)
Interactive charts are loading. The classification history is available below.
Annual classification history
Official assessments and historical estimates are labelled separately. Missing years are not filled in.
| Year | Classification | Assessment source |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2024 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2023 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2022 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2021 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2019 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2018 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2017 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2016 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2015 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2014 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2013 | Excellent | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2012 | Good | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2011 | Good | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2010 | Sufficient | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2009 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 2008 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 2007 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 2006 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 2005 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 2004 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 2003 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 2002 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 2001 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 2000 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1999 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1998 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1997 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1996 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1995 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1994 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1993 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1992 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1991 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1990 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 1989 | Not assessed | Historical estimate |
| 1988 | Not assessed | Historical estimate |
Source: Environment Agency / Swimfo. Data retrieved 16 October 2026. Historical trends do not describe conditions today; check Swimfo and local notices for current advice.
Nearby bathing waters
- Combesgate Beach, WoolacombeNorth Devon
- Croyde BayNorth Devon
- Ilfracombe Tunnels BeachNorth Devon
- PutsboroughNorth Devon
- Westward Ho!Torridge
- Woolacombe VillageNorth Devon
