As an island nation, us Brits are certainly not short of seaside options. From mystical coves in Cornwall to Surfers paradise in Devon, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to coastlines. But with so many brilliant beaches in one small petite isle, deciding where to visit can be tricky.
Every year, the good people at the Foundation for Environmental Education (or FEE if you like your acronyms) award a ‘Blue Flag’ to the beaches they think are at the very top of their game. Here are 11 of Britain’s best in 2016! Which do you think deserves to be crowned as Holiday Lettings’ Best Blue Flag Beach in the UK? Let’s take a closer look at the contenders…
Swanage, Dorset
“Popular with all generations and evoking nostalgia from childhood holidays, Swanage’s award-winning beach is perfect for a family holidays, paddling in the water, collecting sea shells and making sandcastles. Experience some of the south coast’s best weather while strolling along the promenade or hire one of the colourful beach huts to make your holiday extra relaxing.” – Holly Lagden, purbeck-dc.gov.uk
Mundesley, Norfolk
“Mundesley has a beautiful beach which regularly receives the coveted Blue Flag award for Britain’s cleanest beaches. A wide expanse of clean sand, a well-run café, a shop and public toilets, all on the beach, mean all the family can spend the whole day enjoying themselves. With the village shops just a few minutes’ walk away, Mundesley is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday.” – Geoff, mundesley.org
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West Shore Beach, Llandudno, Conwy
“West Shore beach is a quieter alternative to the bustling North Shore on the other side of Llandudno. The large sandy beach, popular with holidaymakers, is great for kite-flyers and kite-surfers alike. It’s also renowned for its spectacular sunsets and breathtaking views of Conwy Bay. Ramblers can join the Wales Coast Path or hike up the nearby Great Orme headland. The Country Park is full of rarely-seen wildlife and is a Special Area of Conservation.” – Karen Owen, visitconwy.org.uk
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Criccieth, Gwynedd
“Criccieth has two magnificent beaches which are ideal for family fun. A popular beach with breathtaking views of its prominent medieval castle perched on a small headland, and Cardigan Bay where you can see the magnificent coastline at its best and walk along the Wales Coast Path. A great location with plenty of shops, cafes and the the world-famous ‘Cadwaladers’ ice cream.” – Steve Jones, visitsnowdonia.info
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Portstewart Strand, County Londonderry
“Some people call it a beach, but here at Portstewart we call it a ‘strand’. The fine golden sand stretches for 2 miles (3.2km) and is perfect for sandcastles. Explore a beach hugged by ancient dunes full of wildlife, and a haven for wildflowers and butterflies. If you’re brave, take to the water and enjoy swimming, surfing and watersports. Game of Thrones fans may want to come and see if they can find the Sand Snakes in Dorne!” – Gill Mcllmoyle, nationaltrust.org.uk/portstewart-strand
Dawlish Warren Beach, Devon
“Dawlish Warren Blue Flag beach resort works in harmony with Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve to give visitors an all-round experience, wherever their interests. The beach was awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for the 18th consecutive year in 2016.” – Andrew Bulpin, dawlishwarren.info
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Minnis Bay, Kent
“Minnis Bay is a long sandy tidal bay, with plenty of space for water sports such as windsurfing, kiteboarding and sailing. Kids are kept happy with plenty of sand for building sandcastles, while the rock pools are ideal for hunting crustaceans and the tidal pool is popular for crabbing. Usually a small amount of beach remains at high tide. Plus, there’s a café on the prom and an excellent restaurant with a bar – it’s a great place to watch stunning sunsets.” – Julie Thanet, visitthanet.co.uk
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Porthmeor Beach, St Ives, Cornwall
“Porthmeor is a fantastic place to be, offering a wide range of social activities, alfresco dining, and water sports to suit everyone. St. Ives itself, considered to be the ‘jewel of the South West’, boasts Porthmeor’s natural beauty and picturesque sunsets with a different show every night! We love working here, living here and welcoming people to share the experience.” – Becky Brooks, porthmeor-beach.co.uk
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Borth, Ceredigion
“Due to its shallow waters and fabulous three-mile expanse of golden sand, Borth’s award-winning lifeguarded beach is particularly popular with surfers, kite surfers and families with young children. Borth is surrounded by protected sites of natural beauty with truly outstanding views on all sides. At the northern end of the beach is an ancient sunken forest, that is exposed at low tide and is a spectacle not to be missed”. – Cliff Bates, discoverceredigion.co.uk
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Porthtowan Beach, Cornwall
“Porthtowan’s sandy beach is great for surfing for the more adventurous and it has plenty of rock pools to discover and explore for the little ones. Safe for the family, the beach is patrolled by RNLI lifeguards during busy periods. Porthtowan’s beach has been consistently awarded Blue Flag status for exceptional quality and cleanliness. This year we were successful in achieving the Seaside Award, Category A- Resort Bathing Beach, the highest award scheme for beaches in the UK.” – Graham Jones, porthtowanbeach.com
South Sands, Salcombe, Devon
“Whether you walk to South Sands beach from Salcombe or arrive aboard the famous South Sands Ferry with its iconic sea tractor, you’ll fall in love with this stunning beach straight away. Located at the entrance of the Salcombe Estuary, this sheltered sandy expanse provides pleasure for all ages. Its fabulous golden sand is perfect for sandcastle competitions and the crystal-clear turquoise waters are ideal for every type of watersport. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy some South Devon sun!” – Deborah Ward, salcombeinformation.co.uk
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Now you’ve heard why these beaches are so fantastic, tell us which one you think deserves to be named as Holiday Lettings’ Best Blue Flag Beach for 2016…
Tags: Beaches UK
