When looking for a destination for a beach day or a week away at the seaside, is there a better beach than a Blue Flag awarded beach?
To add a touch more adventure to one of the many activity holidays UK destinations are offering this year, we have put together a small list of just some of the beaches in Cornwall that have been awarded the Blue Flag certification – only nine beaches have this rating in Cornwall – to give you an idea of where you could go for your next beach break.
What is the Blue Flag programme, and what does it stand for?
The Blue Flag programme is an international certification scheme for beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. The Blue Flag programme is run by the non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). It aims to raise environmental awareness and increase good environmental practices among tourists, local populations, and beach/marina staff.
Here’s a concise overview of what Blue Falg does and looks for:
- Certifies quality: It awards a “Blue Flag” to beaches, marinas, and boats that meet strict environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria.
- Promotes sustainability: The programme encourages sustainable development in coastal areas and inland beaches.
- Sets standards: It establishes and maintains specific criteria for water quality, environmental management, safety, and services.
- Educates: It requires environmental education activities and information for the public at certified locations.
- Improves management: Encourages better environmental management practices for local authorities and beach operators.
- Global reach: Operates in over 50 countries worldwide.
- Annual renewal: Certification must be renewed yearly to maintain standards.
Widemouth Bay
Widemouth Bay is a wide and expansive two-mile stretch of beach just three miles from Bude. It has been a consecutive winner of the Blue Flag and it’s not hard to see why when you visit.
It offers a wild atmosphere, excellent surfing conditions, and family-friendly amenities. The beach features sand dunes, rocky areas for rock pooling, and the distinctive Black Rock formation. It’s also a landing point for international communication cables, including a rumoured direct line between the UK and US governments.
Beach type – sand
Lifeguard – RNLI lifeguard covers on Easter bank holiday, weekends during April, daily from 5th May to 30th September and weekends during October
Postcode – EX23 0AH
Parking – two free car parks can be found at either end of the beach
Porthmeor Beach
Porthmeor Beach in St Ives, Cornwall, is a popular sandy beach known for its excellent surf conditions, golden sand, and beautiful sunsets. It offers a range of facilities including a beachside café, surf school, and seasonal RNLI lifeguard services. The beach is family-friendly but has a dog ban from May 15 to September 30, 10 am to 6 pm
Beach type – sand
Lifeguard – RNLI lifeguard cover runs from Easter bank holiday right through to the end of October
Postcode – TR26 1JU
Parking – there are several places in the town where you can park, including Island Car Park and Trenwith Car Park
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These are just two of the many stunning Blue Flag beaches in Cornwall that are well worth a visit. So, which Blue Flag beach will your staycation to Cornwall take you?
Image: Unsplash, Benjamin Elliot, Cornwall
