Widemouth Bay, Bude
Ten beaches across Cornwall will be proudly flying Blue Flags this summer after retaining the prestigious award.
Managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education, the coveted award is only granted to beaches with high standards in the four categories of water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety.
The following beaches in Cornwall have received Blue Flag status for 2026:
• Crooklets
• Polzeath
• Porthmeor
• Porthminster
• Porthmissen/Trevone
• Porthtowan
• Summerleaze
• Widemouth
• Gyllyngvase Beach
• Carbis Bay in St Ives
The beaches are owned by Cornwall Council except Carbis Bay, which is privately owned.
A further five Cornish beaches Duchy have received a Seaside Award for 2026. They are:.
• Crackington Haven
• Great Western
• Porth
• Portreath
• Sennen
The Seaside Award is presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.
Cornwall Council contributes towards the cost of the RNLI providing lifeguard cover on many of Cornwall’s beaches. Beachgoers are urged to visit beaches with RNLI patrols and to follow the RNLI’s beach safety advice.
Councillor Loic Rich, cabinet member with responsibility for Environment and Climate Change at Cornwall Council, said: “Cornwall has some of the best beaches in the world and it’s fantastic that we have retained all ten of our Blue Flag awards.
“We’re proud of our beautiful beaches and we ask that people help us to keep them clean and protect marine life by making sure they don’t leave litter behind.
“We also encourage people to visit beaches with RNLI cover and to follow the advice of the lifeguards.”
Press release issued on June 8, 2026