Gradient elastic flexural beams are dynamically analysed by analytic means. The governing equation of flexural beam motion is obtained by combining the Bernoulli-Euler beam theory and the simple gradient elasticity theory due to Aifantis. All possible boundary conditions (classical and non-classical or gradient type) are obtained with the aid of a variational statement. A wave propagation analysis reveals the existence of wave dispersion in gradient elastic beams. Free vibrations of gradient elastic beams are analysed and natural frequencies and modal shapes are obtained. Forced vibrations of these beams are also analysed with the aid of the Laplace transform with respect to time and their response to loads with any time variation is obtained. Numerical examples are presented for both free and forced vibrations of a simply supported and a cantilever beam, respectively, in order to assess the gradient effect on the natural frequencies, modal shapes and beam response.