New English Riviera Beach Standards live as bathing season begins

The English Riviera bathing season began on Friday 15 May, with new English Riviera Beach Standards (ERBS) in place across Torbay to help residents and visitors feel confident, informed and welcome when enjoying the coast.

Visitors to our coastline will notice new beach flags, signage and clearer on‑site information, designed to provide reassurance, support safe use of the water and make it easier to understand what each beach offers throughout the bathing season.

The English Riviera Beach Standards are a locally designed approach that focuses on what matters most to those using the coast – clean water, clarity, safety and care for the natural environment – helping keep our coastline welcoming and well cared for while recognising the wide variety of beaches and coves across the Bay.

Under the Standards, beaches fall into three easy‑to‑understand categories: Excellent, Quality and Natural. Excellent beaches have strong facilities and consistently excellent water quality, making them suitable for swimming, water sports, family visits and traditional seaside days. Quality beaches offer a positive visitor experience and good to excellent water quality, often with fewer built features and a strong local character. Natural beaches are quieter, undeveloped locations recognised for their environmental value, tranquillity and wildlife, where nature takes priority.

Excellent and Quality beaches are marked with ERBS flags and information boards, explaining what visitors can expect and highlighting important safety advice and guidance. Natural beaches are recognised with on‑site plaques and supported by online information, helping explain why these locations are valued for being wild and largely untouched.

Water quality remains a key priority throughout the bathing season. All designated bathing waters continue to be independently monitored by the Environment Agency, with regular sampling carried out across the season. It is recognised that water quality is a subject of strong public interest, particularly following heavy rainfall and in areas close to known outfalls or historic discharge points, and that confidence relies on clear, accessible information.

To support transparency and informed choice, the English Riviera Beach Standards publish water quality results covering the most recent four bathing seasons for each designated bathing water, allowing residents and visitors to understand long‑term trends rather than relying on a single season’s result. Environment Agency water quality sampling is not carried out at outfalls. Samples are taken at the designated bathing water sampling point, which is located where most bathers are likely to enter the sea, in accordance with national bathing water regulations. This approach ensures results reflect the water quality experienced by swimmers, rather than conditions at discharge locations.

Safety guidance under the ERBS is tailored to the character and conditions of each beach. Seasonal safety signage, windsocks at appropriate locations and locally informed advice are in place to support safe enjoyment of the water. Visitors are encouraged to take a moment to check signage on arrival and be aware that conditions can change, particularly following weather events.

Protecting and enhancing our natural environment runs throughout the Standards, recognising sensitive habitats, underwater vegetation, wildlife‑rich coves and natural coastal features that require care. Visitors are asked to play their part by respecting wildlife, leaving no trace and understanding why some beaches are intentionally managed with limited development.

Councillor Adam Billings, Cabinet Member for Pride in Place and Parking, said:

“The start of the bathing season is about enjoying our beaches with confidence and pride. The English Riviera Beach Standards are designed to give clearer, more useful information at the coast, helping people understand what each beach offers and make informed choices when spending time by the sea."

"Our coastline is precious to local communities and much‑loved by visitors, and these Standards support a welcoming, safe and transparent approach to caring for our beaches, now and for the future.”

With the English Riviera Beach Standards now in place for the summer, residents and visitors are encouraged to explore the full range of beaches across Torbay and choose the location that best suits their day by the sea.

More information about the English Riviera Beach Standards, including beach categories and water quality, is available at www.tor-bay-harbour.co.uk/leisure/beaches-and-coastline/english-riviera-beach-standards/