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These are the 71 cleanest beaches in England, with Blue Flag awards to prove it

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

From Country Living

If you’re planning a staycation this summer then you’re in luck, as there are officially 71 brilliant beaches across England that boast high levels of cleanliness, beauty and safety.

The high-standard beaches were revealed by campaign group, Keep Britain Tidy, who have just announced the winners of their Blue Flag Awards 2019.

What is Blue Flag status?

The award is a guarantee to visitors that the beach is free from litter, has excellent facilities, and has a high standard of water quality.

The award scheme was originally launched in 1987, when only 12 English beaches earned Blue Flag status for cleanliness. Fortunately, we've come a long way since then, with 71 being named this year - an increase of 18 on last year.

According to Keep Britain Tidy, new research showed that 15% of parents admit they’ll only visit an award-winning beach to guarantee the safety of their children.

The number of beaches awarded Blue Flag status this year is up from 65 last year, showing that the cleanliness of our beaches are improving.

“Keep Britain Tidy leads the fight for clean, plastic-free beaches,” Keep Britain Tidy chief executive, Allison Ogden-Newton, said.

“We are committed to creating a great environment on our doorstep for everyone to enjoy and offering a quality mark that shows everyone just how fantastic our beaches can be. Blue Flag and Seaside Awards set the standard for our beaches.

“It’s brilliant to see so many beaches winning Blue Flag and Seaside Award status this year, thanks to dedication and hard work of beach staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards.”

As you may have predicted, the region with the most Blue Flag beaches is the South West, with a whopping 32 stretches of coastline achieving the high status. Whereas, Yorkshire only scored one beach each with the reputable label.

Here is the full list of all 71 Blue Flag beaches in England by region…

71 Blue Flag beaches in 2019

East Midlands – 5 Blue Flag awards

Ingoldmells South

Central Beach, Mablethorpe

Central Beach, Skegness

Central Beach, Sutton on Sea

Cleethorpes Central

Photo credit: Jon Boyes - Getty Images
Photo credit: Jon Boyes - Getty Images

East of England – 12 Blue Flag awards

Cromer

Photo credit: Yvan Travert - Getty Images
Photo credit: Yvan Travert - Getty Images

Sea Palling

Sheringham

Mundesley

East Runton

West Runton

East Beach Shoeburyness

Shoebury Common

Thorpe Bay

Three Shells Beach

Dovercourt Bay

Brightlingsea

North East – 6 Blue Flag awards

Tynemouth Longsands

King Edwards Bay

Whitley Bay

Photo credit: Billy Currie Photography - Getty Images
Photo credit: Billy Currie Photography - Getty Images

Saltburn by the sea

Roker

Seaburn

Yorkshire & Humber – 1 Blue Flag award

Whitby

South East – 15 Blue Flag awards

Brighton Central

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

Hove Lawns

Tankerton

Marina St Leonards

Hayling Island Beachlands

Sheerness Beach

Minster Leas

Minnis Bay

West Bay

St Mildreds

Botany Bay

Photo credit: Alex Hare - Getty Images
Photo credit: Alex Hare - Getty Images

Margate Main Sands

Stone Bay

Westbrook bay

West Wittering Beach

South West – 32 Blue Flag awards

Blackpool Sands

Photo credit: Peter Cade - Getty Images
Photo credit: Peter Cade - Getty Images

Poole, Sandbanks Peninsular

Poole, Shore Road

Poole, Canford Cliffs

Poole, Branksome Chine

Alum Chine

Bournemouth Manor Steps

Durley Chine

Fisherman's Walk

Southbourne

Carbis Bay

Photo credit: Gavin Hellier / robertharding - Getty Images
Photo credit: Gavin Hellier / robertharding - Getty Images

Gyllyngvase, Cornwall

Porthmeor, Cornwall

Great Western, Cornwall

Porthtowan, Cornwall

Trevone Bay, Cornwall

Photo credit: John Harper - Getty Images
Photo credit: John Harper - Getty Images

Widemouth Bay, Cornwall

Sandy Bay

Exmouth East

Challaborough Bay

Croyde Bay

Swanage Central

Dawlish Warren

Teignmouth Town

Breakwater Beach

Broadsands

Meadfoot Beach

Oddicombe Beach

Preston Sands

Torre Abbey Sands

Westward Ho!

Weymouth Central

To find Blue Flag beaches in your area, you can also use this handy interactive map from Keep Britain Tidy.

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