Westward Ho! has been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Award for the summer 2025 season. It is one of only 55 sites across Britain to meet the stringent criteria to achieve both accolades.
The Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are aimed at improving the quality of England’s coastline and promoting the country’s best beaches.
Blue Flag, the world’s most recognised award for beaches and marinas, is an environmental education programme managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education
It is only presented to beaches with water which has achieved the highest classification as set by the EU Bathing Water Directive and has an environmental education programme, and, to qualify, each applicant must meet and maintain a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria.
Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.
Among the criteria upon which beaches are assessed are:
Safety and services, such as first aid, lifeguards where necessary.
Environmental information, including displaying details about local ecosystems.
Environmental management, including litter and waste.
Water quality – Blue Flag beaches must meet the ‘excellent’ water quality standard as set out in the EU bathing water directive and Seaside Award winners must meet the ‘sufficient’ standard.
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