Westward Ho! beach wins prestigious Blue Flag 21 years in a row!

Westward Ho! has won the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for summer 2024.  Meeting the high standard required to receive both, it remains in the elite of only 61 beaches across Britain to be awarded both accolades, cementing its status as a holiday destination of choice.

The Blue Flag is widely considered to be the gold standard for beaches and as such is internationally recognised. While most people are aware that the certification guarantees the quality of the bathing water this is only part of the list of criteria on which beaches are judged. To qualify the beach must satisfy standards in four categories and against 33 individual targets covering environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management including litter and waste, safety and services such as first aid and lifeguards.

Blue Flag beaches have to run a minimum of five educational activities for the local community and visitors to make people aware of the importance of looking after the natural environment. Rangers at Northam Burrows run programmes for Schools and the General Public right through the year. The extended and refurbished visitor centre opened in 2021 has added new exhibition spaces and an education room to boost the education programme further, as well as offering a new Café and important changing places facility for disabled visitors.

Cllr Lyndon Piper, Lead Member for Leisure, said:

"It is wonderful to have such a fantastic beach right on our doorstep at Westward Ho! One that has consistently achieved the Blue Flag award for over 21 years in a row. Right next-door Northam Burrows forms an integral part of North Devon's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Together the beach and burrows offer a fantastic location for recreation and connecting with nature as well as an opportunity to see many rare local plants and wildlife species. It is imperative that we all work together to maintain the highest possible standards for our natural environment and continue to put pressure on those bodies that threaten these precious spaces".

The Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are aimed at improving the quality of England's coastline and promoting the country's best beaches.

May 2024