Porthluney Beach in Cornwall Gets Brown Flag Award for Dirty Water

A once-popular beach in Cornwall has received a Brown Flag Award for poor water quality. Porthluney Beach, located near Caerhays Castle on the south Cornish coast, has been flagged for the second year in a row. The award comes from the UK travel site Holiday Park Guru, which tracks pollution at British beaches using Environment Agency data.

A Beautiful Spot with a Troubling Issue

Porthluney Beach has long been a favorite for British families. The beach is south-facing and gets lots of sunlight. It offers fine sand, clear rock pools, and scenic views of the 200-year-old Caerhays Castle. Surrounded by 140 acres of woodland gardens, the beach has often been described as peaceful and picturesque.

Reviews on travel sites like TripAdvisor once gave Porthluney high praise. A visitor in 2023 wrote that the beach had “beautiful sand” and was “what beaches should all be about.” Another said the nearby café sold “delicious food.”

Visit Cornwall, the official tourism board, also speaks highly of the beach. On its website, it says Porthluney is “excellent for swimming” and ideal for games during low tide.

But recent tests tell a different story.

What Is the Brown Flag Award?

The Brown Flag Award is not an official government recognition. It is a tongue-in-cheek label created by Holiday Park Guru to highlight beaches with poor water quality. Using Environment Agency data, the group measures pollution levels during the summer months—from May 15 to September 30.

The aim is to help swimmers avoid spots where the water could be unsafe. The group even joked about mailing a brown flag with a poop emoji to Porthluney Beach to warn visitors.

While the title is humorous, the issue is serious. The data shows that Porthluney’s water may not be clean enough for safe swimming.

What Causes Dirty Water at Beaches?

Experts say that heavy rainfall is a major reason for bad water quality. When it rains, dirty water from roads and farms flows into rivers and the sea. This can lead to pollution in coastal areas, especially in small coves like Porthluney.

The Environment Agency explains that water cleanliness is usually worse in winter. But tests taken in the summer also show problems at several beaches.

Other beaches with poor ratings include Blackpool, Weston-super-Mare, and Bognor Regis. These are popular seaside resorts, but parts of them had low water quality scores last year.

Locals and Tourists React

Many locals and past visitors are disappointed by the news. Some say the water seemed fine during their visit. Others are concerned that the beach’s reputation may suffer.

Small businesses nearby, including beach cafés and guesthouses, also fear losing tourists. The Brown Flag Award could hurt visitor numbers, especially during peak summer months.

What Can Be Done?

Environmental groups suggest that better sewage systems and farm waste controls could help. Clean water groups also call for stronger rules to keep pollution out of the sea.

In the meantime, travelers are advised to check water quality reports before heading to the beach. The Environment Agency provides up-to-date data on many UK beaches through its official site.

Porthluney Still Has Its Charm

Despite the unwanted title, many still love Porthluney Beach for its beauty and calm surroundings. It remains privately owned and free to enter. Visitors can enjoy the sand, walk in the gardens of Caerhays Castle, and relax in the quiet cove.