East Devon is celebrating a sand-tastic achievement after four beaches scooped Blue Flag and Seaside Awards.
Exmouth and Sidmouth beaches both won Blue Flag and Seaside awards, while Seaside awards went to Budleigh Salterton and Jacob’s Ladder.
Budleigh Salterton failed to scoop a 2026 Blue Flag award because of a fall in water quality. And beaches at Seaton and Beer were left empty-handed amid a lack of lifeguard provision.
The district council said it would support the highest possible standards across East Devon’s beaches.
The district council has installed a seasonal track on Seaton beach (eastern end), Sidmouth Town beach, pictured here, and Budleigh Salterton beach to make access easy for all. Photo: EDDC.
Councillor Geoff Jung, for environment operations at the district council, said: “This is very positive news for East Devon, with Budleigh Salterton, Exmouth, Sidmouth and Sidmouth Jacobs Ladder all receiving national recognition this year.
“These awards reflect the hard work that goes into keeping our beaches clean, safe and welcoming for residents and visitors, and it is especially pleasing to see Exmouth and Sidmouth once again achieving both Blue Flag and Seaside Award status.”
He added: “For Budleigh Salterton, the beach has received a Seaside Award this year rather than a Blue Flag because its bathing water classification was rated good rather than excellent, likely reflecting a mix of factors including storm overflow discharges and agricultural pollution in the River Otter catchment.
“Seaton and Beer have not received awards this year because, without lifeguard provision, they are not currently able to meet the zones of use requirements, and at Beer there is also no first aid provision on site.”
Cllr Jung said: “We will continue working with partners to support the highest possible standards across our coastline.”
Budleigh Salterton beach.
Photo: EDN.
The environmental awards were announced by Keep Britain Tidy, who annually awards the accolades for beaches meeting its strict high standards.
The East Devon beaches recognised in 2026 are:
Budleigh Salterton – Seaside Award (designated bathing water)
Exmouth – combined award – Blue Flag and Seaside Award
Sidmouth – combined Award – Blue Flag and Seaside Award
Sidmouth Jacobs Ladder – Seaside Award (designated bathing water)
Allison Ogden-Newton, Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive, said: “England is fortunate to boast some of the world’s finest beaches, and it’s encouraging to see this reflected in the awards in East Devon signalling its high standards to all who visit or live nearby.
“Everybody involved in these achievements should feel proud of their ongoing work to care for and enhance these important local blue spaces.”
Beaches vying for for a Blue Flag Award must have excellent water quality, show environmental information and waste and litter management, plus safety services, such as lifeguards and first aid.
Seaside Award winners (designated bathing waters) must meet the minimum ‘sufficient’ standard.
This year 41 sites, including one inland water, were awarded both the Blue Flag and Seaside Award. Some 23 sites, including one marina, received the Blue Flag only. And 65 beaches received the Seaside Award only.
