Cornwall’s beaches have once again triumphed with 15 announced as being worthy of an iconic Blue Flag or Seaside Award.

Porthminster 2019

Blue Flags have been awarded to eight beaches, including Porthminster and Porthmeor in St Ives. Fifteen achieved Seaside Awards, again incuding the two St Ives venues.

The internationally renowned Blue Flag quality mark for beaches is widely considered the gold standard. It reassures visitors and residents that Cornwall’s beaches are clean, safe, and recommended. This boosts tourism and business, and helps to inspire return visits. 

Blue Flags and Seaside Award flags are only given to coastal destinations that boast the highest qualities of water, facilities, safety, keep clean programmes, environmental education, and management.

Visit Cornwall, local businesses, and councils have provided funding for Cornwall Council to make the applications for the awards. 

Martyn Alvey, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for environment and public protection, said: “It is fantastic to see that once again so many of our wonderful beaches in Cornwall have received these awards.

“Everyone who lives here knows that our beaches are among the best in the world, and this proves it. The beach champions, local businesses, and communities whose hard work and dedication is so vital in gaining, and keeping, so many iconic Cornish Blue Flag and Seaside Awards, deserve a special vote of thanks.”

“They should all be rightly proud of these awards. I would also like to thank Visit Cornwall and all those local businesses and councils that have provided sponsorship for the award applications.”