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146 reasons to holiday in England

10 May 2011

Buckets and spades, ice-creams on the pier and award-winning beaches, England’s seaside resorts are some of the best in the world – and that’s official.

Keep Britain Tidy today announced that 70 of England’s beaches have been awarded the internationally recognised Blue Flag this year, a guarantee to visitors that the beach has top notch facilities, is litter free and has achieved a high standard of water quality.

Flying the flag for England’s seaside resorts in 2011 is Torbay with six Blue Flags, closely followed by Cornwall and Southend-on-Sea with five each.  Traditional seaside destinations such as Skegness, Bournemouth and Scarborough will also be flying the Blue Flag this year.

In addition to the 70 beaches awarded a Blue Flag this year, 108 beaches around England have received Quality Coast Awards.  In total England will boast 146 award-winning beaches in 2011 (32 beaches will fly both the Blue Flag and Quality Coast Award).

Phil Barton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy which is responsible for the Blue Flag scheme in England said: “Traditional beach holidays in this country were always centred on our seaside resorts and we urge holiday-makers to rekindle their passion for our wonderful coastline and quality resorts. 

“Our beaches are wonderful places to visit and that’s official!  With 146 beaches around England’s coastline achieving Blue Flags and Quality Coast Awards this year, what better way to holiday in this country than to visit one of the award-winning beaches.

“The continuing high standards of our beaches are testament to the hard work carried out by beach managers throughout the year in order to provide clean and safe beaches for everyone to enjoy, whether you live on the coast or are a visitor.”

The number of award-winning beaches in England has stayed at nearly the same level over the last year – there were 150 in 2010 – proving that our beaches continue to shine, offering residents, day-trippers and holiday-makers alike well maintained and well managed places to visit.

From Cumbria to Cornwall, Whitley Bay to Kent, England’s beaches have something for everyone.

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Comment on this article

• Keep Britain Tidy

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• Sue James, South West

  I am delighted to hear that both Paignton and Preston Sands have been awarded a blue flag this year as they are my two local beaches. I was walking on Paignton Sands yesterday afternoon when the tide was out and wished I had taken my camera as the sea was a lovely blue green, the sun was shining (with a blue sky with a few white clouds) and the view across the sand to Paignton Pier with the sky refected in the shallow water was a perfect picture!

• Kevin, South West

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