Botany Bay
Thanet’s beaches have been awarded four Blue Flags and twelve Seaside Awards following the announcement of this year’s Keep Britain Tidy Blue Flag and Seaside Awards.
Having met the high standards required, environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy has once again given Thanet’s key beaches the internationally recognised stamp of approval.
The number of awarded beaches now totals twelve, up from 10 last year, as Walpole Bay in Cliftonville and Louisa Bay in Broadstairs have both been awarded Seaside Awards for the first time, in 2024.
- Blue Flags and combined Seaside Awards have been awarded for Minnis Bay, Birchington; St. Mildred’s Bay, Westgate-on-Sea; and Botany Bay and Joss Bay in Broadstairs.
- Seaside Awards are awarded to West Bay, Westgate-on-Sea; Westbrook Bay, Margate Main Sands and Walpole Bay, in Margate; Stone Bay, Viking Bay and Louisa Bay in Broadstairs; and Ramsgate Main Sands.
Blue Flag is an international award 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, while Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.
Among the criteria beaches are assessed against are:
- Safety and services, such as first aid, lifeguards where necessary
- Environmental information including displaying details about local eco systems
- 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.
- Environmental management, including litter and waste.
For more information on Thanet’s beaches and bays, go to Visit Thanet’s website.
