IT’S THAT time of year again when, as the weather warms up, the UK’s Blue Flag beaches have been announced.
In total 61 sites, including beaches, a marina and an inland water bathing area have been awarded the Blue Flag for 2026 across the UK.
The Blue Flag award recognises beaches that are clean, safe, and well managed, including whether they haves services like lifeguards, first aid, educational activities and so on.
Several Devon beaches have not been included on the list, after Torbay – where previously five Blue Flag beaches were located – decided to create their own awards system.
North East
Five beaches in the North East were awarded a Blue Flag status, including:
- Whitley Bay South
- Tynemouth Longsands South
- King Edwards Bay
- Blyth South Beach
- Roker Beach
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North West
In the North West one spot was given a Blue Flag status – Liverpool’s Albert and Salthouse docks, which is even the only Blue Flag marina in the UK.
Yorkshire and Humber
In Yorkshire and Humber, three Blue Flag beaches have been named, including one visited by Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski:
She said: “If you’re after that typical northern charm, but in a seaside setting, look no further than Whitby.
“From the shoreline, you can admire the lighthouse in the distance, or grab a pew on one of the benches by the marina to watch the boats sailing in and out to sea.
“Don’t leave without swinging by Magpie Cafe for its famous fish and chips (with curry sauce, of course) – it’s widely known for being the best chippy in the area so get there bang on opening time to avoid the queues.”
The other two Blue Flag beaches in Yorkshire and Humber are:
East Midlands
Three beaches in the East Midlands were awarded the Blue Flag status and include:
- Central Beach, Mablethorpe
- Central Beach, Skegness
- Central Beach, Sutton on Sea
East of England
In the East Of England, a total of 15 beaches were awarded a Blue Flag status.
Having explored the area several times, Travel Reporter Alice Penwill said: “After visiting Cromer back in 2024 – my family and I have been back multiple times to enjoy its cute cafes and beautiful beach.
“When the sun is out, Cromer beach is a great place for laying about in the sun, or going for a dip in the sea.
“And for anyone bringing along a furry friend, dogs aren’t allowed on certain sections of the beach, specifically by the pier, but can frolic on the sand further up, just look for the signs.
“Make sure to step off the sand for a few minutes and head to Windows Ice Cream where you can get an enormous soft serve treat from £2.”
Another Blue Flag beach she has visited in the area is Frinton on Sea.
She said: “Not only is Frinton a very pretty spot on the coast, it’s one of the sunniest.
“Along the Essex coastline, Frinton-on-Sea is known for having no noisy arcades, like its more popular neighbour of Clacton.
“I love it for the fact that it has no frills, on the front is just a sweeping sandy beach, the sea and some pretty beach huts too.
“But if you want a bit more excitement, head back to Connaught Avenue for independent shops and boutiques.”
She also recommend visiting Southwold in East Suffolk, commenting on how it takes her back to her childhood family holidays where she’d spend hours running about on the sand and in and out of the sea.
She added: “Its pier is 623 feet long and is dotted with shops, cafes and everyone has to head into the arcade.
“As much as I love the beach, you can’t miss a stroll into town either for its great shops and the Adnams brewery.
“At the other end of town by the harbour is my favourite chippy, the Sole Bay Fish Company.”
Other Blue Flag beaches in the East of England include:
- Albion Walton On The Naze
- Brightlingsea
- Dovercourt Bay
- East Runton
- Felixstowe
- Mundesley
- Sea Palling
- Sheringham
- Shoebury Common
- Thorpe Bay Beach
- Three Shells Beach
- West Runton
South East
A total of 11 beaches were awarded the Blue Flag in the South East this year.
Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey said: “Kent is hardly short of beautiful beaches – and Botany Bay is one of my favourites.
“It can get busy, but being between Margate and Ramsgate means you can easily get to it by a short walk.
“Yet Ramsgate is a great beach to visit as a family due to its size, so you will never be fighting for space.
“It’s also helped by being right in from of the UK’s biggest Wetherspoons (complete with a rooftop beer garden…).”
Other Blue Flag beaches in the South East include:
- Hove Lawns
- Joss Bay
- Marina Beach Hastings
- Minnis Bay
- Rottingdean
- Saltdean
- Sheerness
- Tankerton
- West Wittering Beach
South West
Across the South West, a staggering 24 beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag.
Born in the South West, Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding said: “The South West is bursting with beautiful beaches so it is no surprise that many have been awarded a Blue Flag.
“In Dartmouth in Devon, Blackpool Sands has been awarded a Blue Flag for the third year in a row.
“The privately-owned shingle beach stretches across two-thirds of a mile and is often quite wide, making it a great day out even when busy.
“From the beach you can head kayaking or paddleboarding too.”
Also in Devon, one of Cyann’s more local beaches was awarded a Blue Flag for its 27th year.
She said: “Dawlish Warren is the ultimate beach for families.
“Found on Devon’s south coast, the beach is backed by rolling dunes and fascinating wildlife habitats.
“The 1.5-mile stretch is a safer, more sheltered spot for families, compared to a lot of other beaches in the are, a and you’ll even find -go karts, golf and arcades to have fun in too.”
Sophie added: “Stretching for around three kilometres, you’ll never struggle to find a sunbathing patch at Westward Ho!.
“The main beach starts at the busy end of town, where you’ll have no trouble finding a bucket and spade, before blending into the much quieter Northam Burrows Beach, backed by a national park and an excellent links golf course.
“Keep wandering towards the northern tip to find Pebbleridge Kitchen, a tiny cafe that sells fresh crab sandwiches.”
Sophie has also been to Porthminster in St Ives, Cornwall.
She said: “On a sunny day, the white sands and gloriously blue seas of Porthminster could be mistaken for the shores of a Caribbean island.
“It’s not the largest of beaches, but it’s at the quieter end of town, away from the main hustle and bustle of St Ives.
“Pedn Olva, an excellent pub with rooms, is just a short walk away.
“Try the local ales and “crabby fries”, smothered in white and brown meat and drenched in a thermidor sauce.”
She added: “I visited Widemouth Bay with my family and the dogs several years back, on a sunny April afternoon, and we had the entire sands to ourselves.
“The sunset was absolutely spectacular – take advantage of the tall grassy dunes behind the beach for the best viewpoint.
“There are some lovely walks along here, too.”
And another Blue Flag spot is one of her all-time favourite beaches in Cornwall.
She said: “Polzeath is a glorious stretch of golden sands backed by fuss-free restaurants serving hearty toasties and proper Mr Whippy ice cream.
“Make sure to swing by Surfside Polzeath, a rum bar that spills out onto the beach and serves some punchy cocktails – it stays open until 11pm, with people dancing on the sands once the sun sets.”
Other Blue Flag Beaches in the South West include:
- Canford Cliffs
- Croyde Bay
- Exmouth Beach
- Sidmouth Town
- Carbis Bay
- Challaborough Bay
- Crooklets
- Durley Chine
- Fisherman’s Walk
- Gyllyngvase
- Highcliffe
- Porthmeor
- Porthtowan
- Sandbanks
- Shore Road
- Summerleaze
- Swanage Central Beach
- Trevone Bay
