The winners of the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for summer 2023 have been announced by the Charity Keep Britain Tidy.
In total, 146 beaches in England have been presented with awards recognising the quality of the beaches, the way they are managed and the facilities they offer to visitors.
The Blue Flag is an international award and this year 77 beaches have met the high standard required.
In addition,128 beaches are proudly displaying Seaside Awards, including 59 that have received both Blue Flag and Seaside Awards.
First-time Blue Flag winners this year are Summerleaze in Cornwall and Beer in East Devon. Allonby beach in Cumbria has won a Seaside Award for the first time.
Across the North-West – which incorporates Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester,
Lancashire and Merseyside – 11 beaches and one marina have been presented with awards
recognising the quality of the sites, the way they are managed and the facilities they offer to visitors.
11 beaches in the region were awarded the Seaside Award including Allonby beach in
Cumbria, which scooped the accolade for the first time. They are:
Morecambe North – Lancaster City Council
Morecambe South – Lancaster City Council
St Annes Pier – Fylde Borough Council
Ferry Beach, Fleetwood – Wyre Borough Council
Marine Beach, Fleetwood – Wyre Borough Council
Jubilee Beach, Cleveleys – Wyre Borough Council
Rossall Beach – Wyre Borough Council
Bispham – Blackpool Council
Allonby – Cumberland Council
Blackpool Central – Blackpool Council
Blackpool South – Blackpool Council
Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “Visitors to a beach flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award can be assured the beach will be clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as international bathing water quality standards.
“The Blue Flag is the world’s most recognised award for beaches and marinas and, in order to qualify, each applicant must meet and maintain a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria.
“We’d therefore like to recognise and applaud all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve some of our best-loved and most popular beaches. The collective efforts of beach managers, volunteers, residents and businesses all contribute to the success of these sites in achieving the incredibly high standards demanded.”
The Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are aimed at improving the quality of England’s coastline and promoting the country’s best beaches.
