Blue Flag Beaches in England, Scotland and Wales
We all love a beach holiday but if you are looking for the best beaches to take your family too, then look out for the Blue Flag Beaches which you will find across England, Scotland and Wales. The Blue Flag award is an International standard that only gives its prestigious award to those beaches that meet and exceed the highest standards including water quality, facilities, safety, environmental education and management.
Whether you are looking for golden sandy beaches, rolling surfing waves or coastal paths to explore the Blue Flag point the way to some of the best. Please note that the Beach awards are updated annually - usually in May.
See 2012 English Blue Flag Beaches
English Blue Flag Beaches (2011 awards)
The 2012 awards will be made known in May 2012, so below we have provided the 2011 Blue Flag list of the best beaches in England. We have also highlighted where you can find good self catering cottages and apartments close to the Blue Flag beach so you can have a short break or holiday.
Dorset Blue Flag Beaches
- Bournemouth - Alum Chine, Durley Chine, Fisherman's Walk, Southbourne Beach
- Poole - Branksome Chine,
- Canford Cliffs Chine, Sandbanks
- Peninsula, Shore Road
- Swanage - Central
Find self catering cottages in Dorset close to Blue Flag beaches
Cornwall Blue Flag Beaches
- Gyllyngvase
- Porthtowan
- Polzeath
- Porthminster
- Porthmeor
Find self catering cottages in Cornwall close to Blue Flag beaches
Devon Blue Flag Beaches
- Challaborough Bay
- Croyde Bay
- Woolacombe Sands
- South Sands
- Dawlish Warren
- Torbay - Oddicombe Beach, Meadfoot Beach, Broadsands Beach, Breakwater Beach,
Paignton Beach, Preston Sands
- Westward Ho!
- Tunnels Beaches
- Blackpool Sands
- Bigbury-on-Sea
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Devon
Lincolnshire Blue Flag Beaches
- Central Beach Mablethorpe
- Central Beach Skegness
- Central Beach, Sutton on Sea
- Cleethorpes Central
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Lincolnshire
East Yorkshire Blue Flag Beaches
- Hornsea Beach
- Withernsea Beach
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in East Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Blue Flag Beaches
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in North Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear Blue Flag Beaches
- Whitley Bay Beach
- Tynemouth Longsands South
- Tynemouth King Edwards Bay
- Sandhaven beach, South Shields
- Roker bay
- Seaburn
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Tyne and Wear
Hampshire Blue Flag Beaches
- Hayling Island Beachlands
Find self catering cottages close to Hampshire Blue Flag beaches
Isle of Wight Blue Flag Beaches
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag beaches on the Isle of Wight
West Sussex Blue Flag Beaches
Find self catering cottages near Blue Flag beaches in West Sussex
Kent Blue Flag Beaches
- Botany Bay, Broadstairs
- Joss Bay
- Westbrook Bay
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Kent
Norfolk Blue Flag Beaches
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Norfolk
Suffolk Blue Flag Beaches
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Suffolk
Essex Blue Flag Beaches
- Chalkwell Beach
- East Beach, Shoeburyness
- Jubilee Beach
- Three Shells Beach
- Shoebury Common Beach
- Brightlingsea Beach
- Dovercourt Bay
- Clacton on Sea, Martello Bay
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Essex
Scottish Beach Holiday Cottage search (2011 awards)
The 2012 awards will be made known in May 2012, so below we have provided the 2011 Blue Flag list of the best beaches in Scotland. We have also highlighted where you can find good self catering cottages and apartments close to the Blue Flag beach so you can have a short break or holiday.
Aberdeenshire Blue Flag Beaches
- Aberdeen Ballroom Beach
- Balmedie Beach
- Collieston
- Cruden Bay
- Fraserburgh Esplanade
- Fraserburgh Waters of Philorth
- Inverboydie Beach
- Peterhead Lido
- Sandend
- Stonehaven Beach
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Aberdeenshire
Fife Blue Flag Beaches
- Aberdour Black Sands
- Aberdour Silversands
- Burntisland Beach
- Crail Roome Bay
- Elie Ruby Bay
- Kinghorn Harbour
- Kingsbarns Beach
- Kinghorn and Pettycur Bay
- Kirkcaldy Seafield
- Leven East
- St Andrews West Sands
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Fife
Angus Blue Flag Beaches
- Arbroath
- Carnoustie
- Lunan Bay
- Monifieth
- Montrose Seafront
- Broughty Ferry
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Angus
East Lothian Blue Flag Beaches
- Bellhaven Bay
- Gullane Bents
- Longiddry No. 1
- North Berwick Milsey Bay
- North Berwick West Beach
- Yellowcraig
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in East Lothian
Highlands Blue Flag Beaches
- Achmelvich Bay
- Dornoch Beach
- Embo
- Golspie Beach
- Loch Morlich
- Melvich Beach
- Nairn Central
- Portmahomack
- Sango Sands
- Shandwick Bay
- Strathy Bay
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in the Scottish Highlands
Scottish Borders Blue Flag Beaches
- Coldingham
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in the Scottish Borders
Argyll and Bute Blue Flag Beaches
- Ganavan Sands
- Machrihanish
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Argyll
Shetland Blue Flag Beaches
- Sands of Breckon
- St Ninian's Isle
- Tresta
- West Sandwick
- West Voe
Ayrshire Blue Flag Beaches
- Newton Beach, Millport
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Ayrshire
Welsh Beach Holiday Cottage search (2011 awards)
The 2012 awards will be made known in May 2012, so below we have provided the 2011 Blue Flag list of the best beaches in Wales. We have also highlighted where you can find good self catering cottages and apartments close to the Blue Flag beach so you can have a short break or holiday.
Isle of Anglesey Blue Flag Beaches
- Benllech
- Church Bay, Rhydwyn
- Llanddona
- Llanddwyn
- Porth Dafarch
- Treaddur
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Isle of Anglesey
Carmarthenshire Blue Flag Beaches
- Cefn Sidan
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Carmarthenshire
Ceredigion Blue Flag Beaches
- Aberporth
- Llangrannog
- New Quay - Harbour Beach
- Tresaith
- Aberystwyth South
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Ceredigion
Conwy Blue Flag Beaches
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Conwy
Denbighshire Blue Flag Beaches
- Prestatyn
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Denbighshire
Gwynedd Blue Flag Beaches
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Gwynedd
Pembrokeshire Blue Flag Beaches
- Amroth
- Broadhaven North
- Coppet Hall
- Dale
- Lydstep
- Newgale
- Newport
- Poppit Sands
- Saundersfoot
- Tenby Castle
- Tenby North
- Tenby South
- Whitesands
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in Pembrokeshire
Other Welsh Blue Flag Beaches
- Aberavon
- Bridgend - Rest Bay Bridgend Trecco Bay
- Bracelet Bay, Swansea
- Caswell Bay, Swansea
- Langland Bay, Swansea
- Port Eynon Bay
Vale of Glamorgan Blue Flag Beaches
- Whitmore Bay
Find self catering cottages close to Blue Flag Beaches in the Vale of Glamorgan
More Holiday Ideas for you to consider
If you have found this holiday article interesting, why not take a look at some of our others.
Cheap Family Cottages
Edinburgh Festivals
Popular Scottish cottages
British & Irish County Shows
Working Farm Breaks
Brighton Festival and Brighton Fringe
City Breaks in England
Luxury Cottages in the Lake District
English Championship Golf Courses
Luxury Cottages in Suffolk
Luxury Cottages in Norfolk
Sussex Holiday Guide
Holiday Attractions in England
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Luxury Cottages in Cornwall
Grade II Listed self catering
Scottish Holiday attractions
Glyndebourne Opera Festival
School Summer Holidays
Thatched Holiday Cottages
English Blue Flag Beaches
Family Fun in Dorset
Top Selling Scottish Cottages
Scottish Championship Golf Courses
Best Selling Irish Cottages
Top 5 Castles
Secret Suffolk Cottages
Norfolk Country Cottages
South Devon Coast & Country
Internet Accessible Cottages
Top 5 British Seaside Holidays
British Sporting Events
Customer Review and Feedback
Lake District self catering
Best deals on a Summer holiday cottage
Scottish Castles and Country Estates
Cornish cottage holidays
Mid Devon Holiday Cottages
Gardens to Visit
East Devon Cottage Holidays
Dorset Cottage Short Breaks
The New Forest & Hampshire Show
Devon County Show
Mothers Day Weekend Breaks
Father Days Cottage Breaks
Easter Family Breaks and Holidays
Romantic Valentines Day Treat
Cosy Cottages for an Easter Break
St Davids Day Short Breaks in Wales
St Patricks Day Cottage Breaks