Englands BEST BEACHES revealed for 2019 - Thanks To The Growing Trend Of Beach Cleanups (labelled the ‘Attenborough Effect)
England's best beaches have been revealed as campaigners hailed the "Attenborough effect" for an increase in awards for beaches being classed as clean and safe.
Keep Britain Tidy has announced the winners of 71 Blue Flags and 137 Seaside Awards - an increase of 18 beaches on 2018.
The awards are quality marks for beaches which mean they are clean, safe and meet high environmental and bathing water quality standards.
It comes as a survey by Keep Britain Tidy found more than half (54%) of people said nature documentaries fronted by Sir David Attenborough had encouraged them to personally clear up discarded litter. High 5 to Sir David.
Allison Ogden-Newton, chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy, said: "We as individuals feel emotionally connected to the environment more than ever, with so many experiencing eco-anxiety”.
"We're incredibly pleased to have even more winners this year than last, proving the great dedication of the beach staff”
"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 the awards."
Here are some of the 71 beaches awarded Blue Flags in 2019:
East Midlands
Ingoldmells South
Central Beach, Mablethorpe
Central Beach, Skegness
Central Beach, Sutton on Sea
Cleethorpes Central
East of England
Cromer
Sea Palling
Sheringham
Mundesley
East Runton
West Runton
East Beach, Shoeburyness
Shoebury Common
Thorpe Bay
Three Shells Beach, Southend
Dovercourt Bay
Brightlingsea
North East and Yorkshire
Tynemouth Longsands
King Edwards Bay
Whitley Bay
Roker
Seaburn
Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Humber
Whitby
South East
Brighton Central
Hove Lawns
Tankerton
Marina St Leonards
Hayling Island Beachlands
Sheerness Beach
Minster Leas
Minnis Bay
West Bay
St Mildreds
Botany Bay
Margate Main Sands
Stone Bay
Westbrook Bay
West Wittering Beach
South West
Blackpool Sands (Devon)
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
Gyllyngvase
Porthmeor
Great Western (Cornwall)
Porthtowan
Trevone Bay
Widemouth Bay
Sandy Bay
Exmouth
Challaborough Bay
Croyde Bay
Swanage Central
Dawlish Warren
Teignmouth Town
Breakwater Beach Torbay
Broadsands Torbay
Meadfoot Beach Torbay
Oddicombe Beach Torbay
Preston Sands Torbay
Torre Abbey Sands Torbay
Westward Ho
Weymouth Central
So well done and congratulations to everyone who has put the effort in. I am also pretty certain when I say people are not confining litter picking to just beaches. I personally pledged some months ago to pick up 5 pieces of litter a day. It has now become an ingrain habit so much so sometimes it takes me twice as long to get somewhere! I just can’t help myself! But what a good habit to have 😊
I hope you enjoyed this little article and with summer just around the corner you get to check out some of these lovely beaches. Remember to pack your metal straws and if you see some plastic straws on the beach, or any other litter for that matter - be sure to pick them up :)
Much love
Caroline
