Sun, sea, sand . . . . and showers!

13/05/2010

Millions flock to England’s beaches

Last year we took over 47 million* holiday trips in England, a massive 18% increase from 2008, and as England’s beaches continue to shine the staycation could well be here to stay!

Keep Britain Tidy today announced 150 beaches across England have received Blue Flags and Quality Coast Awards for 2010 in recognition of their high quality environments and facilities.

Of the 150 beaches receiving awards, 71 received the Blue Flag and 111 received the Quality Coast Award. 32 of these beaches were awarded both the Blue Flag and the Quality Coast Award.

What better way to holiday in this country than to visit one of England’s award-winning beaches.

And it’s not just the holiday-makers who are taking advantage of our new found love of England’s coastline. A whole range of businesses within the tourism industry benefited last year with a 13% increase* in spend by people holidaying in England. England’s award-winning beaches are bringing a smile to everyone’s faces.

Phil Barton, Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive said: “As more and more people decide to swap trips abroad for the convenience of holidays at home, they are discovering a renewed love for our glorious coastline and quality resorts.

“Our beaches are fabulous places to visit and that’s official. 71 Blue Flag and 111 Quality Coast Awards proves our beach managers continue to work hard to provide clean and safe beaches for everyone to enjoy.”

Heading up the roll of honour for 2010 with 14 awards are Torbay (4 Blue Flag and 10 QCAs) and the Isle of Wight (3 Blue Flags, 11 QCAs), followed closely by Scarborough with 11 awards (3 Blue Flags, 8 QCAs) and Thanet with 10 awards (9 Blue Flags, 1 QCA).

Southend-on-Sea (2 Blue Flags, 7 QCAs), Tendring (3 Blue Flags, 6 QCAs) and the East Riding of Yorkshire (1 Blue Flag, 8 QCAs) should also prove to be popular holiday destinations with a total of 9 awards each.

In addition, the North East and North West of England are definitely helping to fly the flag for England’s beaches this year. In the North East the number of Blue Flags has nearly doubled this year (8 Blue Flags), while Cumbria received 4 Quality Coast Awards in Copeland, nearly doubling the number of Quality Coast Awards in the North West (10).

From Cumbria to Cornwall, England’s varied and beautiful award-winning coastline offers something for all holidaymakers. From family holidays at Hunstanton Beach in Norfolk (Blue Flag and Quality Coast Award), surfing on Polzeath in Cornwall (Blue Flag), unspoilt peace and quiet on Cooden Beach near Bexhill on Sea (Quality Coast Award) to seal watching at Minnis Bay in Kent (Blue Flag).

The number of Blue Flag and Quality Coast Awards for 2010 has stayed at nearly the same high level over the last two years (72 Blue Flags, 113 Quality Coast Awards for 2009), proving that our beaches continue to shine.

Over that last 10 years the number of Blue Flag beaches in England has tripled (there were 24 in 2000), while Quality Coast Award winning beaches in England have increased by 35% since the awards began in 2007 (73).

Document	PDF
Blue Flag Award Winners 2010

Notes to editors

Keep Britain Tidy is the anti-litter charity for England. We are passionate about cleaner greener places and run Eco-Schools, Green Flag Award for parks (in partnership with BTVC and GreenSpace), and Blue Flag/Quality Coast Awards for beaches. TV star Kirstie Allsopp is our ambassador. To find out more about us and to become a supporter visit www.keepbritaintidy.org.

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) a non-governmental and non-profit organisation launched the Blue Flag programme in 1987. Quality Coast Awards were introduced by Keep Britain Tidy in 2007.

Keep Britain Tidy run the programmes in England and has 71 Blue Flag beaches and 111 Quality Coast Award winning beaches.

*Figures provided by Visit England click here for more information http://www.enjoyengland.com/Images/December%202009-%20Summary%20of%20results_tcm21-187845.pdf.

Press enquiries

Contact the Keep Britain Tidy press office:
Fiona Ashurst 01942 612 688 fiona.ashurst@keepbritaintidy.org 
Jill Partington 01942 612 679 jill.partington@keepbritaintidy.org 
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