The UK is home to dramatic coastlines, sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, so there is no shortage of places to visit this summer.
Beaches across the UK have garnered praise for their clear waters and clean sands, and GB News looks at some of the most awarded destinations.
But which beaches have the cleanest water? Tynemouth Longsands in North Tyneside and Sandbanks, Poole in Dorset, have both received Blue Flag status every year for at least 30 years.
Beaches in Dorset and Devon dominated the list of award-winners, making them some of the best beaches to visit for a dip in the sea.
Tynemouth beach has won awards for its clean sands and water
GETTY
Sandbanks Beach was praised by visitors
POOLE TOURISM
Blue Flag status is recognised internationally, and the Foundation for Environmental Education takes into account things like water quality, environmental education and environmental management when awarding these.
Here are some of the beaches with the cleanest water and sands based on these awards:
- Tynemouth Longsands, North Tyneside - Awarded Blue Flag status for 30 consecutive years.
- Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset - One of only two UK beaches to have received Blue Flag status every year since the award began.
- Swanage Main Beach, Dorset - Achieved Blue Flag status for 24 consecutive years.
- Exmouth Beach, East Devon - Achieved Blue Flag status for six consecutive years.
- Sidmouth Town Beach, East Devon - Awarded Blue Flag status for five consecutive years.
- Felixstowe South and Pier, Suffolk - Received Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for five consecutive years.
- Weymouth Beach, Dorset - Consistently awarded Blue Flag status from 2020 to 2024.
- Southend’s Beaches, Essex - Received five Blue Flag Awards in 2023.
- Croyde Bay, Devon - Awarded Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for two consecutive years.
- Beer Beach, East Devon - Received Blue Flag and Seaside Awards in 2024.
Longsands Beach in Tynemouth has long been considered one of the cleanest beaches to visit in the UK. It has an impressive 4.7 out of 5 stars on Tripadvisor, and visitors often comment on how spotless the beach and water are.
One reviewer commented: "Amazing beach. Clean, lovely sandy beach. The sea is clear and clean. Friendly atmosphere. Highly recommended for families." [SIC]
Another agreed, writing: "Absolutely stunning beach. Beautiful clean sand and water, with many swimmers and people enjoying the water."
Beaches in Dorset also proved successful in cleanliness awards, and Sandbanks, Poole, has won the most. Indeed, it was also awarded a Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice award in 2024.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Croyde Bay was described as "stunning"
VISIT DEVON
Tripadvisor states: "Naturally beautiful, with its golden sand, Sandbanks Beach has been designated by the European Commission as one of the few areas in the United Kingdom which has achieved the highest standard of cleanliness.
"Sandbanks has held the highly coveted international Blue Flag for the past 30 years."
Devon beaches have also impressed visitors and environmental groups alike, and Croyde Bay is one of its locations that has received Blue Flag and Seaside Awards.
On Tripadvisor, visitors described it as: "A beautiful and accessible Devon Beach. It is very clean and perfect for swimming and surfing with a good range of places to eat and drink." One more called it "exceptionally clean" while a third said it is a "stunning, clean and friendly".
