Top 10 UK coastal breaks

Are you looking for a coastal holiday in the UK, but are unsure of current beach standards? We can help you decide which beaches to visit. All the beaches below have been awarded the yellow and blue flag award in conjunction with the Foundation for Environmental Education. The award is only give to beaches that are clean, safe and well managed and have water quality that meets European legislation.

1. Fistral in Newquay, with sand dunes and a renowned surf centre.
2. Constantine Bay in Padstow, a long, wide, sandy beach, defined by low headlands and rocky islands.
3. The beautiful Sandymouth in Bude, featuring sand, pebbles and colossal cliffs.
4. The lovely Sennen Cove, perfect for families, with grass rolling down to meet the white sand stretch.

1. Hope Cove is a beautiful coastal sanctuary, popular with families.
2. The small and delightful Babbacombe Beach is set beneath the Babbacombe Downs, known as the highest promenade in England.
3. Salcombe, North Sands features amazing views out to sea. Perfect if you enjoy a rural setting.
4. Dawlish Warren is one of the UK's finest beach resorts. Backed by golden dunes, you can find both family features and secluded areas of beach.

1. Hamworthy Park, Poole is nestled by the shores of Poole Harbour, hence has a safe beach ideal for children.
2. Boscombe Pier Beach stretches down from the fun-filled seafront of Bournemouth. A sloping sandy beach is also great for kids.
3. Bournemouth Pier Beach, one of the most popular resorts on the South Coast caters for all the family.
4. Charmouth West boasts a rural two mile stretch of sand with rock pools and shingle banks.

1. Colwell Bay is a small rural sand and shingle beach. Perfect for a relaxing day out, the panoramic views of the Solent are stunning.
2. Lined with beach huts, is the charming Gunard. Located nearby is a grass embankment and a boat park offering a variety of watersports.
3. Sandown boasts long stretches of sand and safe wates. A great location for a day out with the family.
4. Watch the sun set from the beautiful Totland Bay.

1. If you want relaxing walks along dramatic cliff tops and beautiful countryside and then pay the rural Birling Gap a visit.
2. Camber Sands has a wide sandy beach backed with dunes. Great fun for the kids.
3. Cooden Beach is the place to go for if you want peace and quiet. The beach is completely unspoilt.
4. Popular with residents and day trippers, the Pier to Wish Tower in Eastbourne boasts a pier, promenade, bandstand and carpet gardens.

1. Beach Street, Sheerness is a great picnic spot as well as sporting all the attractions needed for a fun filled day with the family.
2. A popular seaside town, Herne Bay Central is set out as attractive seafront gardens with a Tourist Information Centre housed in a bandstand.
3. Margate has been a popular seaside resort for over 200 years. A long sandy beach, promenade and various other attractions, what more could you ask for.
4. Minnis Bay, Birchington hosts a wide variety of attractions including watersports, pubs and restaurants and coastal walks and cycles.

1. Enchanting Cromer has pristine sands, green cliffs, gardens and pretty Victorian buildings. Cromer is famous for crab fishing.
2. Great Yarmouth Central is a great choice for families, with its wide sandy beach, promenade, cafes and shops.
3. Hunstanton has a gentle sloping beach and famous red and white stripped cliffs. It is cleaned daily and supervised between April and September.
4. Sea Palling is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Fine sand, shallow bays, safe swimming and paddling are all the ingredients you need for a perfect break away.

1. If you are looking for sand, great snorkelling and rock pooling, then Cobo is a great choice for a coastal escape.
2. At the base of spectacular cliffs and a beautiful wooded valley, sits Fermain, the most popular of the east coast bays on the channel islands. 3. For some serious sunbathing, check out Pembroke Bay.
4. Perfect for sheltered sunbathing the horseshoe shaped bay is a favourite for families.