Confirmed as one of England’s top beaches, Swanage in Dorset has been awarded the international Blue Flag award by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, for the 25th year in a row.
The sight of the Blue Flag – the gold standard for English beaches – flying outside the Swanage Information Centre, serves to reassure residents and visitors that Swanage’s sandy beach is a safe beach with excellent water quality as assessed by weekly testing from 15th May to the end of September by the Environment Agency.
Swanage Information Centre has proudly flown the Blue Flag for a consecutive 25 years
Excellent water quality
Swanage was awarded the Blue Flag in 1988 and was one of only eight English beaches to receive the award. During the 1990s, the beach lost the award but then regained it in 2001.
Beaches are assessed against strict criteria including:
- Safety and services such as first aid, and lifeguards where necessary
- Environmental information, including displaying details about local ecosystems
- Environmental management, including litter and waste
- Water quality – Blue Flag beaches must meet the ‘excellent’ water quality standard as set out in the EU bathing water directive
The 2026 flag is unfurled by staff from the Swanage Information Centre
Up it goes for another summer!
“Fantastic and safe place for everyone to visit”
Councillor Mike Bonfield, chair of Swanage Town Council’s tourism and local economy committee said:
“We are so proud that Swanage has been awarded the Blue Flag Award for the 25th consecutive year.
“The application process for this is challenging but it clearly shows we have a clean and safe beach that strives to meet the needs of the wide range of residents and visitors who use our beach throughout the summer.
“The weekly water testing shows that the water quality is graded as excellent, and the beach cleaning regime and customer facilities ensure that Swanage Beach remains a fantastic and safe place for everyone to visit.”
Swanage Beach on a beautiful sunny day
A traditional bucket and spade destination
Visitor numbers may get a boost in 2026
Alongside the Blue Flag, Swanage has also received the Seaside Award which indicates that the area is clean, safe and well managed.
For 2026, 41 sites in England have been awarded both the Blue Flag and Seaside Award, while 23 sites, including one marina, have received the Blue Flag only and 65 beaches have received the Seaside Award only.
With indications that bookings for holidays abroad are down for summer 2026, seaside destinations like Swanage may benefit as holiday makers choose day trips and short breaks to get their summer beach fix.
Travel operator Tui says it’s seen a 10 percent fall in revenue from summer holiday bookings made by UK customers, who have become more cautious due to the Iran war.
While the numbers of visitors to Swanage are not expected to return to the highs experienced during the Covid pandemic when there was limited travel, there may be more visiting in 2026 than last year.
Doing the double! Visitor services and business development manager Culvin Milmer unfurls the Seaside Award too
“A real achievement!”
Swanage Town Council’s visitor services and business development manager Culvin Milmer said:
“We have noticed lots of activity early in the season at the boat park, which may indicate that many are planning a summer in Swanage rather than spending time away.
“So it’s really good news that we’ve received the Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for another year. We’re really pleased as it is a lot of work but worth it – a real achievement!”
Further information
- More about visiting Swanage
- What does it mean to have a Blue Flag beach?
- Visit Britain tracks holiday and visitor sentiment
