Best Beaches in the British Isles
National Beach Day is dedicated to celebrating the beauty and recreational value of beaches while promoting environmental awareness and conservation. Here in the British Isles, we’ve had a rainy start to summer, but if you’re looking to head to the coast then read on.
Reports of the water quality of the world’s oceans are cause for concern, but global organisation Foundation for Environmental Education are on a mission with their Blue Flag scheme to set stringent standards for environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria for beaches and marinas.
The Blue Flag programme started in France in 1985 and came to the British Isles 37 years ago. Sandbanks in Poole, Dorset, and Oddicombe in Torbay, Devon, have been on the list since the inception of the awards. The list is updated each year and the 2024 approved beaches are:
England
East Midlands
Central Beach, Mablethorpe
Central Beach, Skegness
Central Beach, Sutton on Sea
East of England
Three Shells Beach
Westcliff Bay
East Beach, Shoeburyness
Shoebury Common
Cromer
Sheringham
West Runton
East Runton
Frinton on Sea
Brightlingsea
Dovercourt Bay
Felixstowe
Southwold
North East
Whitley Bay South
Tynemouth Longsands South
King Edwards Bay
Seaburn Beach
Roker Beach
Yorkshire & Humber
Whitby
Hornsea
Withernsea
South East
Hayling Island Beachlands Central
Saltdean Beach
Hove Lawns
Tankerton
St Leonard’s Marina
Sheerness
St Mildred’s Bay
Minnis Bay
Joss Bay
West Wittering Beach
Botany Bay
South West
Blackpool Sands
Poole, Shore Road
Poole, Sandbanks Peninsular
Avon Beach
Highcliffe Beach
Friars Cliff Beach
Poole, Canford Cliffs
Poole, Branksome Chine
Alum Chine
Manor Steps
Durley Chine
Fisherman’s Walk
Southbourne
Carbis Bay
Crooklets
Gyllyngvase
Porthmeor
Polzeath
Porthtowan
Trevone Bay
Widemouth Bay
Summerleaze
Beer
Exmouth
Seaton
Sidmouth Town
Swanage Central
Dawlish Warren
Breakwater Beach
Broadsands
Meadfoot Beach
Preston Sands
Oddicombe
Torre Abbey Sands
Westward Ho!
Weymouth Central
Croyde Bay
Scotland
Aberdour (Black Sands)
Aberdour-Silver Sands
Ballroom Aberdeen
Balmedie Country Park
Belhaven Dunbar
Billow Ness Anstruther
Brora Beach
Broughty Ferry
Burntisland
Carnoustie
Coldingham Bay
Collieston
Cowie Stonehaven
Cruden Bay
Dornoch (Caravan Park)
East Dunbar
Easthaven
Elie Woodhaven (Ruby Bay)
Fraserburgh
Fraserburgh Waters of Philorth
Girvan
Gullane
Inverboyndie
Kinghorn Harbour
Kingsbarns
Leven East
Longniddry
Lunan Bay
Maidens Turnberry
Millport Cumbrae
Monifieth
Montrose
Nairn Central
Pathhead Sands
Peterhead Lido
Pettycur Kinghorn
Prestwick
Roome Bay Crail
Sands of Breckon
Sango Bay
Seafield Kirkcaldy
Seton Sands Longniddry
St Andrews East Sands
St Andrews West Sands
Troon South
West Bay North Berwick
West Links Arbroath
Yellowcraig
Wales
Aberystwyth (South)
Borth
Broad Haven
Castle Beach Tenby
Caswell Bay
Cefn Sidan
Coppet Hall
Dale
Langland Bay
Llangrannog
Newgale Sands
North Tenby
Poppit Sands
Port Eynon
Prestatyn Central
Rest Bay Porthcawl
Saundersfoot
South Tenby
Trecco Bay Porthcawl
Tresaith
Whitesands
Northern Ireland
Benone Beach
Castlerock Beach
Cranfield Bay
Downhill Beach
Murlough Beach
Portrush East Strand Beach
Portrush West Strand Beach
Tyrella Beach
Whiterocks Beach
Being awarded Blue Flag status means these beaches are meeting the highest environmental standards and most have dedicated teams of volunteers, local businesses and residents working hard to achieve the high standard associated with a Blue Flag accreditation.
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