Guide to the UK's Blue Flag Beaches

Not many people know but the UK has more blue flag beaches than a lot of its more exotic counterparts such as Malta and Mexico.

(image courtesy of istock.com artist name Stephen Rees)

The Blue Flag scheme is a prestigious award given by FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) and takes into consideration the quality of the water, environmental education, safety, how the beach is managed and the services that are offered.

The UK has 116 Blue flag beaches so it’s time to #staycation and explore all of the beautiful beaches we have on home soil.

Here’s a quick guide to help you find your nearest beach, or even to plan your next holiday in the UK to visit one further afield.

This is not to say that beaches without the Blue Flag award aren’t worth visiting. Many beaches aren’t able to meet the strict criteria so there is also a seaside award in place so go and explore our beautiful coast lines.

For hotels near all of the below please click here!

England’s Blue Flag Beaches -

Kent

• Botany Bay
• Joss Bay
• Minnis Bay
• Ramsgate Main Sands
• Stone Bay
• St Mildreds Bay
• Tankerton
• West Bay

Essex

• Brightlingsea
• Clacton West and Martello Bay Beach
• Dovercourt Bay Beach
• Frinton-on-Sea
• Walton-on-the-Naze

Sussex

• Littlehampton Beach

Hampshire

• Hayling Island Beachlands
• West Wittering

Suffolk

• Southwold Beach
• Claremont Pier

Isle of Wight

• Colwell
• Sandown
• Ventnor
• Yaverland

Dorset

• Alum Chine
• Branksome Chine
• Canford Cliffs
• Durley Chine
• Fishermans Walk
• Sandbanks
• Shore Road
• Southbourne
• Swanage Central

Cornwall

• Carbis Bay
• Gyllyngvase Beach
• Polzeath Beach
• Porthmeor Beach
• Porthminster Beach
• Porthtowan Beach
• Trevone Bay Beach
• Widemouth Sands

Devon

• Blackpool Sands Beach
• Breakwater Beach
• Challaborough Beach
• Dawlish Warren
• Meadfoot Beach
• Oddicombe Beach
• Sandy Bay Beach
• South Sands Beach
• Westward Ho

Norfolk

• Cromer
• Hunstanton
• Mundesley
• Sea Palling
• Sheringham

Lincolnshire

• Mablethorpe Town Beach
• Skegness
• Sutton-on-Sea

North Yorkshire

• Scarborough North Bay
• Whitby Sands

East Riding of Yorkshire

• Hornsea Beach
• Bridlington

Tyne & Wear

• King Edwards Bay Beach
• Long Sands
• Sandhaven
• Whitley Bay

Wale’s Blue Flag Beaches -

Bridgend

• Rest Bay Beach
• Trecco Bay Beach

Carmarthenshire

• Cefn Sidan Beach

Ceredigion

• Aberporth Beach
• Borth
• Harbour Beach
• Llangrannog
• Tresaith

Conwy

• Llandudno
• Llanfairfechan
• Rhos-on-Sea

Denbighshire

• Central Beach Prestatyn

Gwynedd

• Aberdaron Beach
• Abersoch Main Beach
• Aberystwyth North Beach
• Barmouth
• Black Rock Sands
• Criccieth
• Dinas Dinlle
• Porth Dafarch
• Pwllheli
• Trearddur

Pembrokeshire

• Amroth Beach
• Broadhaven Beach
• Coppet Hall
• Dale Beach
• Lydstep beach
• Newgale Sands Beach
• Saundersfoot Beach
• Tenby Castle Beach
• Tenby North & Harbour Beach
• Tenby South Beach
• White Sands Beach

Swansea Bay & The Gower

• Bracelet Bay
• Caswell Bay
• Langland Bay
• Port Eynon

Isle of Anglesey

• Benllech
• Church Bay
• Llanddona
• Llanddwyn

Scotland -

• Aberdour – Silver Sands
• Achmelvich Bay
• Burntisland
• Elie Ruby Bay Beach
• Fraserburgh Waters of Philorth

Northern Ireland -

• Benone Strand
• Castle Rock
• Cranfield Bay
• Crawfordsburn
• Downhill Beach
• East Strand Beach
• Murlough Beach
• Portstewart Strand
• Tyrella
• West Strand
• White Rocks