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These are the 77 cleanest beaches in England

Lisa Walden
·3-min read
Photo credit: Getty/Various
Photo credit: Getty/Various

If you're planning a staycation this summer then you're in luck, as there are officially 77 brilliant Blue Flag beaches across England that boast high levels of cleanliness, beauty and safety.

The high-standard beaches were revealed by campaign group, Keep Britain Tidy, who have just announced the winners of their Blue Flag Awards 2021.

What is Blue Flag status?

The award is a guarantee to visitors that the beach is free from litter, has excellent facilities, and has a high standard of water quality.

The award scheme was originally launched in 1987, when only 12 English beaches earned Blue Flag status for cleanliness. Fortunately, we've come a long way since then, with 77 being named this year — up from 71 in 2019.

According to this year's findings, it has been revealed that England now boasts more Blue Flag beaches than Mexico, Cyprus or South Africa. Some of the best sandy spots include Central Beach in Skegness, Whitley Bay, West Wittering, and Yorkshire's Whitby. With more Brits holidaying on home turf this year, why not let the list help you decide on the perfect staycation spot.

"Keep Britain Tidy leads the fight for clean, plastic-free beaches," Keep Britain Tidy chief executive, Allison Ogden-Newton, said. We are committed to creating a great environment on our doorstep for everyone to enjoy and offering a quality mark that shows everyone just how fantastic our beaches can be. Blue Flag and Seaside Awards set the standard for our beaches."

77 Blue Flag beaches in 2021

Here is the full list of all 77 Blue Flag beaches in England by region…

East Midlands – 4 Blue Flag awards

  • Central Beach, Mablethorpe

  • Central Beach, Skegness

  • Central Beach, Sutton on Sea

  • Cleethorpes Central

Photo credit: Jon Boyes - Getty Images
Photo credit: Jon Boyes - Getty Images

East of England – 15 Blue Flag awards

  • Felixstowe South and Pier

  • Cromer North

  • Sea Palling

  • Sheringham

  • Mundesley

  • East Runton

  • West Runton

  • East Beach Shoeburyness

  • Shoebury Common

  • Thorpe Bay

  • Three Shells Beach

  • Westcliff Bay

  • Dovercourt Bay

  • Brightlingsea

  • Walton on the Naze Albion Beach

North East – 6 Blue Flag awards

  • Tynemouth Longsands

  • King Edward's Bay

  • Whitley Bay

  • Roker

  • Seaburn

  • Saltburn by the Sea

Photo credit: GordonBellPhotography - Getty Images
Photo credit: GordonBellPhotography - Getty Images

Yorkshire & Humber – 3 Blue Flag awards

  • Hornsea

  • Scarborough North Bay

  • Whitby

South East – 15 Blue Flag awards

  • Brighton Central

  • Hove Lawns

  • Tankerton

  • Marina St Leonards

  • Hayling Island Beachlands

  • Sandown

  • Sheerness Beach

  • Leysdown Beach

  • Minster Leas

  • Minnis Bay

  • West Bay

  • St Mildreds

  • Margate Main Sands

  • Stone Bay

  • West Wittering Beach

Photo credit: davidmartyn - Getty Images
Photo credit: davidmartyn - Getty Images

South West – 34 Blue Flag awards

  • Blackpool Sands

  • Poole, Sandbanks Peninsular

  • Poole, Shore Road

  • Poole, Canford Cliffs

  • Poole, Branksome Chine

  • Alum Chine

  • Bournemouth Manor Steps

  • Durley Chine

  • Fisherman's Walk

  • Southbourne

  • Carbis Bay

  • Crooklets

  • Gyllyngvase

  • Porthmeor

  • Great Western

  • Polzeath

  • Porthtowan

  • Trevone Bay

  • Widemouth Bay

  • Sandy Bay

  • Exmouth

  • Sidmouth Town

  • Challaborough Bay

  • Swanage Central

  • Dawlish Warren

  • Teignmouth Town

  • Breakwater Beach

  • Broadsands

  • Meadfoot Beach

  • Oddicombe Beach

  • Preston Sands

  • Torre Abbey Sands

  • Westward Ho!

  • Weymouth Central

To find Blue Flag beaches in your area, you can also use this handy interactive map from Keep Britain Tidy.

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