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England's coastline boasts dozens of award-winning beaches with many near to Haven holiday parks, making them perfect for traditional seaside breaks.
The Blue Flag award recognises beaches that meet strict international standards for water quality, safety, facilities and environmental management. If you're planning a family holiday where clean, well-maintained beaches matter, this award is a great guide to go by.
Blue Flag Beaches must meet strict criteria across four main areas:
These awards are assessed annually by Keep Britain Tidy.
Beaches can also gain or lose their status depending on whether they maintain standards throughout the bathing season from May to September.
England has over 70 beaches flying the Blue Flag... an impressive number of quality coastal spots to choose from!
The Lincolnshire coastline excels when it comes to Blue Flag beaches. Three beaches in the region proudly display the award - Mablethorpe, Skegness and Sutton-on-Sea.
Golden Sands holiday park benefits from access to Mablethorpe Beach. This expansive golden sandy beach offers traditional seaside fun with donkey rides, nearby fairgrounds and miles of clean sand for building castles and paddling.
The beach at Mablethorpe even features the Time and Tide Bell sculpture. This huge bell rings as the tide rises, creating an atmospheric soundtrack to your beach visit!
Families staying at Golden Sands can walk straight onto the beach and the park itself combines easy beach access with indoor and outdoor pools, so there's always somewhere to swim regardless of weather.
Further down the coast, Cleethorpes offers another Blue Flag option. Cleethorpes Beach Holiday Park (formerly Thorpe Park) sits in a countryside setting surrounded by fields and greenery. But you're still close enough to enjoy Cleethorpes' long sandy beach with its amusement arcades and traditional seaside atmosphere.
Filey Beach on the Yorkshire coast holds Blue Flag status. Several Haven parks benefit from this, making the area popular for families who want quality beach access.
Primrose Valley is one of Haven's most popular parks in the region. This 5- park offers fantastic views across Filey Bay. The combination of excellent on-park facilities and proximity to an award-winning beach explains why families return year after year.
Blue Dolphin Holiday Park and Reighton Sands are also within reach of Filey's clean waters and safe swimming conditions.
The Yorkshire coast provides beautiful clifftop walks alongside its beaches. After a morning on the sand, you can explore coastal paths with stunning views across the North Sea.
Clacton-on-Sea beach has featured on the Blue Flag list in previous years. The Orchards is one of Haven's most popular parks in Essex and families appreciate both the on-site facilities and the location near this award-winning beach.
The Essex "Sunshine Coast" offers a different character to the beaches further north. The coastline here includes seawater creeks and traditional seaside attractions.
Blackpool South Beach has gained Blue Flag recognition in recent years - a significant achievement for this famous resort. Marton Mere Holiday Park in Blackpool puts you close to this improving coastline.
While Blackpool is known for its entertainment and attractions, the Blue Flag award demonstrates the resort's commitment to beach quality and environmental standards.
Cala Gran Holiday Park on the Lancashire coast benefits from proximity to Fleetwood Beach when it holds award status. Just 8 miles from Blackpool, you get a more relaxed atmosphere whilst remaining close to all the action.
The Blue Flag isn't the only mark of quality. Keep Britain Tidy also presents Seaside Awards to beaches that meet high standards for cleanliness, safety and management.
In 2024, 137 beaches across England received Seaside Awards. These beaches might not all be designated bathing beaches, but they still offer excellent facilities and are well-maintained.
Many Haven parks sit near beaches with Seaside Awards even if they haven't achieved Blue Flag status. The key point is that both awards indicate beaches worth visiting.
A clean, safe beach transforms a family holiday. You can relax knowing the children are playing in quality sand and safe water. Facilities like toilets and lifeguard cover make the day easier to manage.
Haven has always focused on coastal locations. Most parks either have direct beach access or sit very close to the shore. When those beaches also hold prestigious awards, it adds confidence to your booking decision.
Traditional British seaside holidays remain popular precisely because our beaches have improved so much over recent decades. The Blue Flag programme played a significant role in driving these improvements.
When you stay at a Haven park near an award-winning beach, you get the best of both worlds. The park provides entertainment, pools, activities and accommodation. The beach offers space, fresh air and that special seaside atmosphere.
Some families spend entire days on the beach with picnics and games. Others prefer a few hours on the sand followed by park facilities in the afternoon. The flexibility matters when you're dealing with different ages and energy levels.
Check tide times when you arrive. Some beaches reveal rock pools at low tide, perfect for children hunting crabs and exploring. Others are best at high tide for swimming.
Blue Flag beaches must have safety provisions, but it's still worth being sensible:
Lifeguard cover typically runs during the main bathing season. Outside these months, be extra cautious and stick to paddling rather than proper swimming.
Even with excellent facilities nearby, you'll want some essentials:
Many Haven parks have shops where you can buy forgotten items. But bringing your own means you're ready to head straight to the beach after breakfast.
British weather certainly keeps things interesting! But Haven parks with both beaches and indoor pools give you options, whatever the forecast brings.
Some of the best beach days happen when there's a bit of breeze. The children can fly kites and the fresh air feels invigorating. As long as you're dressed appropriately, you don't always need blazing sunshine for a good beach day.
That said, when the sun does shine on an English beach, there's nowhere better to be!
When choosing a Haven park, consider what matters most for your family. Direct beach access means you can pop back to your accommodation easily. Parks a short walk or drive from the beach often have more space and facilities.
Check what's available at each park:
Browse our guides to Haven parks in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset, Kent, Sussex, Norfolk, Northumberland, Wales and Scotland to find your ideal location.
Haven offers everything from budget-friendly caravans to luxury lodges. All provide self-catering facilities, giving you flexibility over meals and timing.
Higher grades typically include more space, better furnishings and extras like decking areas. But even standard accommodation provides everything needed for a comfortable family holiday.
For coastal breaks, consider booking accommodation with sea views if available. Waking up to coastal vistas sets the tone for the whole day.
Most coastal areas offer more than just beaches. Haven's locations put you within reach of:
Having a Haven park as your base means you can explore the wider area whilst knowing you have comfortable accommodation and facilities to return to.
Browse the full range of Haven holiday parks to find your perfect coastal location. From the dramatic cliffs of Devon and Cornwall to the wide sandy beaches of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, there's a beach to suit every family.
Check out our Haven Family Holidays guide for more tips on making the most of your break. You can also read about entertainment options, swimming pools and food and drink across Haven parks.
For any questions before booking, visit our contact page or check out the about section to learn more about Haven.
Looking for a different type of break? Haven also offers parks in The Lakes and Wales for countryside holidays with plenty of outdoor activities.