Seven Torbay beaches earn prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Awards

Seven Torbay beaches have earned the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for 2025. The environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy presents these awards annually to England’s best beaches, on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education.

Celebrating Excellence

The Blue Flag is an international award given to well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes. The following beaches in the Bay have all met the high standards to fly the Blue Flag:

• Breakwater Beach, Brixham
• Broadsands Beach, Paignton
• Meadfoot Beach, Torquay
• Oddicombe Beach, Torquay
• Preston Beach, Paignton
• Torre Abbey Sands, Torquay

Oddicombe Beach has won the Blue Flag award every year since the award began 38 years ago.

The Seaside Award celebrates the best beaches in the country, highlighting the beauty and diversity of our coastline. All six of the Blue Flag winners have also been awarded the Seaside Award, alongside Goodrington Beach, Paignton.

55 sites were awarded both a Blue Flag and Seaside Award, meaning 11% of England’s best beaches are here in Torbay.

All seven beaches in which Torbay Council applied for an award were successful. In 2024, Preston Sands and Paignton Beach also received Blue Flag and/or Seaside Awards. However, due to the ongoing Preston and Paignton Promenade coastal flood protection scheme, applications were not submitted for 2025. Torbay Council have developed a masterplan, aiming to protect and improve the precious open spaces along the seafront.

You can read more about this scheme on our website. Paignton and Preston Promenade coastal flood protection scheme - Torbay Council

A Community Effort

Councillor Jackie Thomas, Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture, and Events, said:

“I am delighted that seven of our fantastic beaches have been successful in receiving these distinguished awards.

“There’s a reason the English Riviera remains one of England’s favourite resorts, thanks in part to the quality of diversity of our coastline.”

“Torbay’s continued recognition from Keep Britain Tidy reflects the ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, water quality, safety, education, and beach management.”

“Awards like these would not be possible without the continued hard work of the Tor Bay Harbour and Beach Authority, and our partners at SWISCo.”

“I’d also like to thank all of you who visit and enjoy our beaches for doing your part to keep them safe, clean, and beautiful.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said:

“In England we are lucky enough to have some of the best beaches in the world. It’s wonderful to see the flags flying proudly over seven beaches in Torbay, demonstrating their quality to residents and visitors alike.”