Keep Britain Tidy, the charity that runs the Blue Flag programme in England on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education, announced its 2026 results in May: 23 beaches across the country received Blue Flag status, alongside a wider set of Seaside Awards. Of all the awarded sites, 41 achieved both distinctions.

The Blue Flag is the internationally recognised standard, requiring excellent bathing-water quality, environmental management, safety and education. The Seaside Award is a separate, UK-only accolade run by the same charity for beaches meeting a national standard.

One marina, and decades of continuity

Liverpool's Albert and Salthouse Docks remained the only Blue Flag-holding marina in the country. On the south coast, the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area again led among local authorities, taking six of the national Blue Flags, all of which also earned Seaside Awards.

Some English beaches have flown the Blue Flag every year since the award began nearly four decades ago.

Long-standing holders such as Oddicombe Beach in Torbay have carried the flag continuously since the scheme launched, a rare mark of sustained coastal management. The awards are announced each May, ahead of a bathing season that typically runs to September. Scotland and Wales run their Blue Flag programmes through separate national operators.