Stringent new regulations and a demanding checklist mean it’s more difficult than ever for Britain’s beaches to receive a Blue Flag Award, but that didn’t stop Torbay in South Devon, Poole and Bournemouth in Dorset and the Isle of Wight cleaning up with four each for 2013.

The beaches have met the tough new EU standards to achieve the award, which represents excellent standards of cleanliness, convenience and safety, and they’ll be flying their flags with pride this summer. So, if you’re booked to enjoy a stay in one of our Isle of Wight holiday cottages, Torbay properties or Dorset pads then check to find your closest Blue Flag beach.

In Bournemouth Alum Chine, Durley Chine, Fisherman’s Walk and Southbourne joined the UK’s Blue Flag beaches while Poole’s winners were Canford Cliffs, Sandbanks, Shore Road and Branksome Chine.

A pair of very famous faces were spotted amongst the surfers on Cornwall’s Polzeath beach last weekend, as William shunned the offer of a seat on Centre Court to enjoy the surf with Harry.

The princes enjoyed a day bodyboarding on the north Cornwall beach while Kate watched the nerve shredding final unfold back in London.

Polzeath Beach has always been a favourite with celebrities, probably because of its long stretch of sand and stunning surroundings – and PM David Cameron holidayed there last year too.

When the sun shines and the temperatures begin to climb, South Devon is a great place to be.  The unspoilt rolling countryside leads down some beautiful beaches flanked by cliffs to provide stunning vistas.

And late April, early May is a great time to visit with quieter roads and beaches plus a widespread feeling of complete peace and tranquility.

4 Pottery Cottage offers fine accommodation to match the natural beauty of the area.  Positioned in an exclusive waterside setting on the River Dart in Dartmouth, the property offers an excellent, five star rated standard of accommodation, just a short walk from Dartmouth Castle on the river estuary.  The town centre is a pleasant walk along the river where some of the most noted restaurants in Devon can be found on the waterfront - The New Angel and The Seahorse Restaurant.

Blue Chip Holidays Jon Pressling reports here on the teams' recent fact finding mission to the charming North Cornwall town of Newquay.

From the tranquil waters of the English Channel to the raw power of the Atlantic Coast, on a bright December morning a team of hardy explorers set out on a fact finding mission to Newquay.

We packed up the family for a weekend away in Devon this past weekend and made a few notes of how it is a completely different experience from the peak of summer:

5 Reasons To Visit Devon in October.

Our Personal Beach

We stayed in a development of contemporary holiday apartments called At The Beach in Torcross. The quality of accommodation is up to Blue Chip's usual high standards and the location is as described - at one end of Slapton Sands within yards of the water. So on Sunday morning, we are sat on the breakwater with coffee and the occasional rambler for company. There was no wind - just the sound of the waves on the pebbles - very peaceful.

Stay at Oddicombe Beach in Torquay -  one of Queen Victoria's favourite holiday locations - and get a second week at a luxury beach-side property for half the price.

Set at the bottom of a steep and winding road, the secluded Beach House, Shell and Pebble holiday apartment each look out over the idyllic Devon coast, taking in Oddicombe Beach, Torquay and Exmouth in the distance. Described by Queen Victoria as: "A beautiful spot...with red cliffs and rocks, and wooded hills like Italy, reminding one of a ballet or play where nymphs appear...," this enchanting location remains a firm favourite for visitors seeking something extra-special.

The properties each come with access to The Cary Arms Hotel, one of the country's top-10 beach-side hotels. This gives guests free-range of facilities which include a private resident's sitting room, access to a wood-panelled pool/billiard room, and use of the hotel's all-weather outdoor orb, where you can dine or drink under the stars.

A half-hour spa session is thrown in for guests along with a 20% discount on any additional treatments taken during the break. Little ones get their very own personalised bucket and spade, and each cottage gets its own canvas beach bag as well as a welcome hamper stacked with local goodies.

This photograph was taken on Goodrington Beach this morning at 8.00.  With a blue sky and temperature starting to edge to wards 20C, it looks like the Met Office will have to revise their forecast again, or is it the work of the mysterious sun dancer?

In all seriousness the water was calm and the whole seafront from Paignton to Goodrington is really peaceful at this time of day with a background of a flat sea it makes a perfect early morning walk before breakfast.  If you are unsure about what to do this August, we have some new properties and therefore availability, so why not come and experience it in person.  

Visit our Late Availability page for a live list of what is left organised by week and party size. 

Last week, when the rest of the country was knee deep in snow, I was relaxing in luxury 'At the Beach' in Torcross and enjoying glorious blue skies. And no, before you ask, I hadn't fled for warmer climes!

It has been said many times that the South West of England enjoys a milder climate and last week it really lived up to its claims. Waking up to views along the amazing Devon coastline was enough to make any stress I'd bought with me vanish instantly.

We arrived on the Friday evening and I was immediately impressed with how easy access to our apartment was - excellent instructions by the owner. The apartments have been built inside the shell of an old hotel and while a contemporary style greets you instantly, the building still retains much character including a grand staircase in the communal hallway.

The attention to detail was consistent throughout, and the apartment we stayed in (No. 11) was welcoming and homely right down to the cushions and throws; so much so in fact, that we decided to stay in and watch TV on the large wall mounted TV!

At The Beach - Contemporary living in a unique location makes for a truly different beach holiday experience.

Last week I was lucky enough to take a relaxing break at one of our most exciting new developments, called ‘At The Beach'. The properties are situated in the picturesque village of Torcross, which is in a truly unique location at the end of Slapton Ley, which is just a short drive from Dartmouth.

Aerial photograph of Slapton Sands with At the Beach on the beach's edgeTorcross, with its thatched cottages and friendly atmosphere, combines the rustic charm of an English village with the appeal of the beach. This unique package is sure to offer something to please even the most discerning of customers.

The beach, called Slapton sands, is a vast sand and shingle expanse which is a bar of sand separating the sea from the estuary or ‘ley', behind it. The area is a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the habitat and the rare species which thrive in the unique conditions. This makes it an extremely popular area with keen twitchers, due to the impressive variety of feathered friends on display. The area is also popular with military enthusiasts as a recovered Sherman Tank is displayed which was originally lost to the sea during training exercises for the D-Day landings.

Paignton is one of the premier destinations on the English Riviera, and is famous for its sandy beaches, warm waters and traditional seaside Promenade. Paignton has been a popular resort since Victorian times. The grand pier, built in 1879, is set in the middle of one of Torbay's best beaches and is within easy walking distance of the town centre, transport and parking facilities.

Paignton is one of many beaches on the English Riviera that carries the prestigious ‘Blue Flag' award, meaning that the beach is clean and the water unpolluted and safe to swim in. The beach is fronted by a long promenade, and the shallow water makes it ideal for paddling and swimming. Pedaloes and boats are available to charter and there is plenty of room for just stretching out and lazing in the sun. Because of its sheltered position on the south coast of Devon, Paignton enjoys a clement climate for much of the year making it an ideal beach holiday location for families.

Paignton has been a resort for over 160 years, and as such has a wide variety of accommodation available, from luxury hotels, self-catering apartments and homely B&B's. Because of the tight-knit layout of the town, nearly all the hotels and other accommodation are close to the beach, with many having panoramic sea views across the stunning bay. Prices range from the reasonable to the extravagant, depending on the facilities and star rating of the hotel.

For more independent visitors, there is plenty of self-catering accommodation available and the close proximity of the thriving town centre means provisions are easily available. However, if you fancy leaving the cooking to someone else for the evening, Paignton also boasts a wide range of restaurants, many specialising in seafood dishes. Brixham is only a few miles down the coast, which means you can be sure that the fish is as fresh as it can possibly be. Devon has a superb reputation for fresh produce, and many restaurateurs take great pride in sourcing as many of their ingredients locally.