All beaches / Wales / Beaches
Penarth Beach
the Vale of Glamorgan
We do not read the water company's overflow data here yet, so storm overflows within 3 km of Penarth Beach are not shown.
Generally good samples over the last four seasons. Heavy rain can lower water quality here.
- Latest E. coli
- 173
- per 100 ml, 3 Sep 2026
- Latest enterococci
- 64
- per 100 ml
- Overflows within 3 km
- -
- Spills nearby, 30 days
- -
- Excellent or Good
- Sufficient
- Poor
- Overflow discharging
- Overflow
- Offline
About this beach
Penarth beach is a narrow shingle beach extending around 700m along the esplanade to the East of Penarth. The beach which faces eastwards to the Severn Estuary is enclosed by steep cliffs and the promenade which forms part of the Wales Coastal Path. The view dominated by the picturesque Victorian pier also looks towards Flat Holm and Steep Holm islands. The beach and foreshore lie within the Severn Estuary Special Area of Conservation, the coastal belt is also within the Severn Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest designation, confirming the high conservation status of the area. Natural Resources Wales’s designated sample point is located at the slipway at the southerly end of the beach.
From the Natural Resources Wales profile.
Storm overflows within 3 km
Nearest first, straight-line distance.We do not read the water company's overflow data here yet, so overflows within 3 km are not shown.