The Seaside Awards has presented 190 awards this year, 65 Blue Flags and 125 Seaside Awards, across 148 beaches. Those flying the coveted blue flag award meet the criteria for water quality, safety, facilities and beach management at the very highest standards.

According to scheme administrators, 15% of parents say they’ll take their children to award-winning beaches only. The internationally recognised blue flag gives them confidence that the beach they are visiting is a clean and safe place for their children, and is the quality mark for England’s very best beaches.

The awards are a way of recognising the efforts of councils, beach managers and staff from across the UK who keep our coastal playgrounds at such a high standard for all to enjoy. Other factors for the awards include the number of lifeguards patrolling the beach and the standard of its facilities, whether there is drinking water available and the proximity of sewage or industrial waste.

What you can be sure of from a blue flag beach

Water quality: no industrial, waste-water or sewage-related discharges affect the beach area and the beach fully complies with the frequency, standards and requirements for water quality testing and analysis. The beach must also achieve “excellent” water quality against criteria set out in the Bathing Water Directive.

Environmental management: a beach management committee, compliance with all operational regulations and a clean beach are essential. Regularly emptied bins with separate recycling facilities must be available, along with clean toilet facilities. Dogs will be excluded during bathing season.

Safety and services: first aid equipment, an adequate number of lifeguards and/or lifesaving equipment and other safety measures are required, including a drinking water supply.

Environmental education and information: the beach must display information about the blue flag status and educational activities must be offered and promoted. A map of the beach indicating its facilities must be displayed along with a code of conduct that reflects the laws governing how the beach and its surrounding areas must be used.

Wheelchair access and accessibility features must be in place for at least one Blue Flag beach in each municipality.

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