The UK's cleanest beaches for 2026 - with Blue Flag status and picturesque coves

Sarra Gray
Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:02:12 +0000

New research has found the UK’s cleanest beaches for 2026, inspiring Britons on their next seaside trip.

With more than 764,000 items of waste collected from UK and Channel Islands beaches last year - including plastic bottles and cigarette butts - cleanliness is becoming an increasingly important factor for holidaymakers.

A new study has ranked the top coastal spots that remain pristine, even during peak season.

The research by Vape Superstore analysed TripAdvisor reviews, bathing water quality, smoking restrictions and Blue Flag status to determine which beaches offer the cleanest experience for visitors.

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Taking the number one spot is Sandbanks Beach in Poole, which achieved an impressive cleanliness score of 9.86 out of 10. The beach stands out for its exceptionally low number of litter complaints, with just seven mentions across more than 2,000 reviews.

It also benefits from excellent bathing water quality and Blue Flag status — a recognised mark of environmental and quality standards. Crucially, Sandbanks is also the only beach in the top three to ban smoking, a factor that helps reduce cigarette waste and maintain its spotless reputation.

Second place goes to Frinton-on-Sea Beach, which scored 7.50 out of 10. Notably, it is the only beach in the top three with zero negative mentions of litter or rubbish in reviews, reinforcing its reputation as one of the UK’s tidiest coastal destinations. Like Sandbanks, it also holds Blue Flag status and boasts high water quality.

In third place is Porthminster Beach, a popular Cornish spot known for its clean sand and clear waters. It received a score of 7.48, with just one review referencing litter. While it performs strongly across most categories, the absence of smoking restrictions may have slightly impacted its overall ranking.

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The UK’s top 10 cleanest beaches

1. Sandbanks Beach, Poole – 9.86

2. Frinton-on-Sea Beach, Frinton-on-Sea – 7.5

3. Porthminster Beach, St Ives – 7.48

4. Sandsend Beach, Sandsend – 7.47

5. Bude Sea Pool, Bude – 7.47

6. Carbis Bay Beach, Carbis Bay – 7.39

7. Westward Ho Beach, Westward Ho – 7.38

8. Llanddwyn Beach, Dwyran – 7.36

9. Roker and Seaburn Beaches, Sunderland – 7.33

10. Blackpool Sands, Dartmouth – 7.3

The results show a strong spread of clean beaches across England and Wales, from Cornwall’s picturesque coves to quieter stretches in the North East.

Several locations in the South West — including Carbis Bay Beach and Westward Ho Beach — feature prominently, reflecting the region’s reputation for well-maintained areas.

Meanwhile, destinations like Llanddwyn Beach and Sunderland’s Roker Beach and Seaburn Beach demonstrate that high cleanliness standards can be found across the UK — not just in traditional holiday hotspots.

As visitor numbers rise with the arrival of warmer weather, beaches that combine strong environmental standards with proactive measures — such as smoking bans — are likely to stand out.

For travellers looking to avoid litter and enjoy clearer waters, these rankings provide a timely guide to the UK’s cleanest coastal escapes — proving that a pristine beach day doesn’t have to mean travelling abroad.