Five beaches across Teignbridge have been recognised among the country’s best after receiving prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for summer 2026.
Dawlish Warren secured the internationally recognised Blue Flag Award — the highest accolade available for beaches and marinas — while Dawlish Town Beach, Coryton Cove, Teignmouth Beach and Ness Cove were each awarded Seaside Awards.
The annual awards celebrate the very best beaches in England, recognising destinations that offer visitors clean, safe and well-managed coastal environments. Beaches are independently assessed against strict criteria covering water quality, environmental management, safety, sustainability and visitor facilities.
To qualify, beaches must meet standards including excellent cleanliness, effective litter management, environmental education information, and appropriate safety measures such as lifeguards and first aid services where required.
Blue Flag beaches must achieve the highest “excellent” bathing water classification, while Seaside Award beaches are required to meet at least the “sufficient” standard.
A spokesperson for Teignbridge District Council said the awards demonstrate the area’s ongoing commitment to maintaining high-quality beaches for residents and visitors alike.
They said: “Achieving the Blue Flag Award for Dawlish Warren and the Seaside Awards for Coryton Cove, Dawlish Town, Ness Cove and Teignmouth reflect our commitment to maintaining clean, safe beaches that meet environmental and water quality standards.
“We hope that by flying these flags we will encourage residents and visitors to enjoy a day on the beach at our resorts.”
The Blue Flag programme is managed in England by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education and is recognised globally as a benchmark for beach quality.
Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy, Allison Ogden-Newton, praised the local efforts behind the awards.
She said: “England is fortunate to boast some of the world’s finest beaches, and it’s encouraging to see this reflected in the awards to Teignmouth, Ness Cove, Coryton Cove, Dawlish and Dawlish Warren 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.”
The council also thanked local authorities and councils that helped fund the applications, including Dawlish Town Council, Teignmouth Town Council and Shaldon Parish Council.
The awards are expected to provide another boost for tourism across South Devon ahead of the busy summer season, with thousands of visitors set to head to the region’s beaches in the coming months.
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