Southwold The Denes water quality history
Explore historical Environment Agency samples and annual bathing water classifications for Southwold The Denes in East Suffolk.
Southwold the Denes beach is a sand and shingle beach. It is backed by sand dunes and set in a quiet rural area with marshes nearby. The River Blyth estuary is to the south and the town of Southwold a kilometre to the north.
- Available sample history
- 1990 to 2026
- Samples
- 739
- 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 | Good | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2019 | Sufficient | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2018 | Sufficient | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2017 | Sufficient | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2016 | Good | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2015 | Good | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2014 | Good | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2013 | Good | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2012 | Sufficient | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2011 | Sufficient | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2010 | Sufficient | Official Environment Agency assessment |
| 2009 | Sufficient | Historical estimate |
| 2008 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 2007 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 2006 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 2005 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 2004 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 2003 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 2002 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 2001 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 2000 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 1999 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 1998 | Good | Historical estimate |
| 1997 | Excellent | Historical estimate |
| 1996 | Excellent | Historical estimate |
| 1995 | Excellent | Historical estimate |
| 1994 | Excellent | Historical estimate |
| 1993 | Excellent | Historical estimate |
| 1992 | Excellent | Historical estimate |
| 1991 | Not assessed | Historical estimate |
| 1990 | 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
- Falcon Meadow, River WaveneyEast Suffolk
- Gorleston BeachGreat Yarmouth
- Great Yarmouth SouthGreat Yarmouth
- Lowestoft (North of Claremont Pier)East Suffolk
- Lowestoft (South of Claremont Pier)East Suffolk
- Southwold The PierEast Suffolk