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English and Welsh holidaymakers don’t need a ‘green list’ to experience some of the best beaches in the world – because there are plenty on their doorstep.
That’s the message from charities Keep Britain Tidy and Keep Wales Tidy, which administer the Blue Flag schemes in their respective countries and today announced their lists for 2021.
It has been revealed that England now boasts more Blue Flag beaches than Mexico, Cyprus or South Africa. This year, a total of 77 of its beaches have been awarded Blue Flag status – up from 71 in 2019 – with those at Brighton, Skegness and Carbis Bay all retaining the coveted accolade.
England now boasts more Blue Flag beaches than Mexico, Cyprus or South Africa. One of them is Scarborough North Bay, pictured
Brighton Central Beach, pictured, has retained its Blue Flag status from 2019
Carbis Bay Beach in Cornwall, pictured, has been deemed Blue Flag worthy for another year. Next month Carbis Bay will host the G7 summit
In Wales, 45 beaches and marinas, such as those at Caswell Bay, Whitesands Bay and Prestatyn, have been deemed Blue Flag worthy, one more than in 2019.
The Blue Flag is a guarantee to visitors that the beach has excellent facilities, is litter free and has achieved a high standard of water quality.
They are only given to beaches whose local authority has promised to run a minimum of five educational activities for the local community and visitors to make people aware of the importance of looking after the natural environment.
Other beaches in England retaining Blue Flags for 2021 are Central Beach in Mablethorpe, East Runton in Norfolk, Tynemouth Longsands in North Tyneside and Whitby in North Yorkshire.
There are four Blue Flag beaches in the East Midlands region for 2021. Pictured is one of them, Central Beach Skegness
East Runton Beach in Norfolk, pictured, has retained its Blue Flag status for 2021
In the North East region, there are six Blue Flag beaches for 2021. One of them is Roker Beach in Sunderland, pictured
The Blue Flag is a guarantee to visitors that the beach has excellent facilities, is litter free and has achieved a high standard of water quality. Polzeath Beach in Cornwall, pictured, is a Blue Flag holder in 2021
Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: ‘This year, more than ever, we are going to be relying on our country’s beautiful beaches to escape for a much-needed break after all the stresses and strains of the past year.’ Pictured is Cornwall’s Blue-Flag-flying Porthtowan Beach
In the South East region, Margate Main Sands and Tankerton, both in Kent, and West Wittering in West Sussex, retain Blue Flags.
As do Sandbanks Peninsular, Portowan in Cornwall, and Exmouth and Westward Ho! beaches in Devon in the South West.
Beaches to gain Blue Flags this year after missing out in 2019 (there was no list in 2020 due to the pandemic) include Hornsea and Scarborough North Bay in Yorkshire, Leysdown in Kent and Crooklets Beach in Cornwall.
Among the sandy stretches that flew Blue Flags in 2019 but no longer have them for 2021 are Botany Bay and Westbrook Bay, both in Kent.
Meanwhile, for the first time, England now has a Blue Flag marina – the Royal Albert Dock and Salthouse Dock Marina in Liverpool.
Hornsea Beach in Yorkshire is one of several beaches to gain a Blue Flag this year after missing out in 2019 (there was no list in 2020 due to the pandemic)
Leysdown Beach in Kent – a beach that has earned Blue Flag status in 2021 after missing out in 2019
In addition to the Blue Flags, 132 beaches across England have been given Seaside Awards, which recognise the highest standards of beach management and, in the case of bathing beaches, indicate that they meet the required standards for water quality.
In Wales, other beaches flying Blue Flags for 2021 include Porth Dafarch in Anglesey, Trecco Bay in Bridgend, Llangrannog in Ceredigion and Newgale in Pembrokeshire.
Three marinas are also deemed Blue Flag worthy – they are Porthcawl, Swansea and Penarth.
Meanwhile, a further 13 beaches have been given a Green Coast Award, which recognises the ‘hidden gems’ along the Welsh coastline.
These include Penbryn in Ceredigion, Bracelet Bay in Swansea and Manorbier and Druidston in Pembrokeshire.
A total of 25 Welsh beaches have received Seaside Awards.
The stunning Whitesands Bay in Pembrokeshire – one of 45 beaches in Wales to be awarded Blue Flag status for 2021
Caswell Bay Beach, pictured, is one of four Blue Flag beaches in 2021 in the Swansea area
Porth Dafarch Beach in Anglesey, pictured – a Blue-Flag-winning beach in Wales
Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: ‘This year, more than ever, we are going to be relying on our country’s beautiful beaches to escape for a much-needed break after all the stresses and strains of the past year.
‘Whether it’s camping in Cornwall, renting a cottage in North Yorkshire or simply having a day out at the seaside in Sussex, a fantastic beach is an essential part of a holiday for so many of us.
‘Last year, due to the pandemic, we did not have the opportunity to celebrate all the great award-winning beaches around the coast, so this year we are delighted to have even more winners than we did in 2019, thanks to the incredible work of the teams around the country that make our beaches clean and safe for us all to enjoy.
‘From environmental education for the local community and ensuring responsible beach use, to cleaning regimes and an increasing number of recycling facilities, it is a full-time commitment to create beaches worthy of these awards.
‘As we all plan our 2021 holidays much closer to home, thanks to the Blue Flag and Seaside Award, those choosing to holiday at a destination with an award-winning beach can be assured it will be clean and safe and meet the highest standards for water quality and management.’
Commenting on the first Blue Flag Marina in England, Allison added: ‘I would like to congratulate Canal and River Trust for securing the country’s first Blue Flag for its marina in Liverpool, which offers the highest standards of environmental information and management, safety and services, as well as water quality.’
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