Visitors to Skegness in Lincolnshire have complained of some horrors lurking within the sand. Several reported rubbish issues, with one Tripadvisor reviewer condemning the beach as “dirty and run down”
Skegness Beach has been condemned as the grossest beach in the country.
A day at the beach—there’s nothing like it. The feeling of sand between your toes; the roar of the waves; the cool taste of a Mr Whippy. Added to this list of familiar British sensations is something a little more unpleasant.
Visitors to Skegness in Lincolnshire have complained of some horrors lurking within the sand. Several reported rubbish issues, with one Tripadvisor reviewer condemning the beach as “dirty and run down,” and another explaining that their children were “pulling out cups, straws and items of clothing from the sand.”
More alarming still, the most recent review from June 2025 recalled: “Avoid the grass dunes between the car park and the beach. Not only do you have to dodge the dog waste, you also have to deal with human waste and serviettes covered in faeces, left for you to tread in. This is what happens when you charge 40p to use the toilets.”
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Another reviewer piled in: “Not been for a couple of years and it’s really gone downhill. Everything is overgrown with weeds and the place is filthy.” While a similarly unhappy beachgoer wrote: “Dirty water, expensive car park, bad sand, not good for swimming and very dangerous. It’s overall bad—nothing good about it.”
As harsh as this criticism is, many others completely disagree. Overall, Skegness has a positive 4.3 out of 5 stars on Tripadvisor, with the overwhelming majority of comments being very positive.
One enthusiastic sunseeker wrote in May: “Skegness is a proper seaside resort. It has everything you expect from a trip to the coast and a lot more besides—from the iconic Clock Tower to its many attractions. But for us, the best part was the beach: immaculate golden sands with plenty of places to buy ice cream, fresh food and drinks (including beer and wine). Well done Skeggy!!!”
The ranking of the UK’s dirtiest beaches was compiled by BusinessWaste.co.uk.
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In second place is Margate Main Sands. Out of 851 reviews, 50 mentioned litter, giving it a percentage of 4.4%. The beach ranks as number 5 of the 75 things to do in Margate, yet many people speak of rubbish issues. Reviewers describe incidents of broken glass, dog poo, and human urine. Others talk about the nostalgia of visiting as children, but many report disappointment on returning.
Formby Beach in Merseyside lands in third place, with 3.83% of reviews mentioning litter (39 out of 731 reviews). The North West beach is well-reviewed overall with a score of 4.2, but many still report litter issues. One reviewer from May 2025 found the car park full by 10:30 a.m. and the beach already crowded and covered in rubbish. Many posts speak of picnics left behind, disposable BBQs strewn across the beach, and even drug paraphernalia.