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The English Riviera is celebrating after receiving prestigious awards for ten of its beaches.
Keep Britain Tidy has awarded Anstey's Cove, Goodrington Beach, Maidencombe Beach, Paignton Beach, Preston Sands and Torre Abbey Sands the national Seaside Award for bathing and resort.
Meanwhile, Breakwater Beach, Broadsands and Oddicombe Beach have all been given a combined Seaside (resort) and globally recognised Blue Flag Award, which are administered by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education, a non-governmental organisation.
Oddicombe Beach has now held a Blue Flag Award for 33 years, since the inception of the awards in 1987.
Seaside Awards which are England wide recognise and rewards beaches in England that achieve the highest standards of beach management and, in the case of bathing beaches, meet the required standards for water quality.
Blue Flag Awards recognise a number of criteria covering environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, safety and services.
Councillor Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture for Torbay Council, said: “Torbay is renowned as the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark and its beaches are some of the best in the world so we are of course delighted to win these latest awards.
“In these uncertain times, it is good to have some certainty and anyone visiting Torbay this summer can be sure that they are visiting one of the country’s – and the world’s – best beaches, and with current travel restrictions people who hadn’t previously thought of visiting Torbay should take the chance to come and see what we have to offer here.”
Carolyn Custerson Chief Executive, English Riviera BID, said: “Visitors from around the world really love our natural and varied beaches and the many different activities associated with them.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s Deputy Chief Executive Richard McIlwain said: “The success in reaching the very high standards demanded by both awards is testament to all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve our beaches – from beach managers and volunteers to local people and businesses.
“When you enjoy a trip to a beach flying an international Blue Flag or Seaside Award, you know you are on one of the safest, cleanest and very best in the country.
Please remember if you are visiting the English Riviera’s beaches to observe the two metre social distancing rule around anyone who is outside of your social bubble and if the beach you were planning to visit is busy try and visit one of our many other outdoor spaces.
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Between Torquay and Babbacombe sits Anstey’s Cove. Quiet, peaceful and incredibly beautiful, this small shingle beach is the place to come if you want to escape the crowds.
Close to Paignton is the long, sandy stretch of Goodrington Sands. With a Seaside Award, safe swimming conditions and loads of great activities, this family friendly beach promises to keep the kids happy whatever the weather.
If you’re looking for a quiet haven to spend the day, Maidencombe Beach is the perfect retreat. Far removed from amusement arcades and water parks, Maidencombe Beach is about one thing: relaxing.
Paignton Beach offers the ultimate family day out at the seaside. With a sandy beach, safe swimming and a whole host of activities to enjoy, this promises to be a fun day out for all the family.
A short walk from Paignton is Preston Sands, a great family beach. On this safe, clean beach you can sunbathe, swim or make castles in the sand, or why not grab a fishing net and explore the rock pools at low tide?
This delectable beach is part of the English Riviera and it lives up to its name with its stunning sands, views and sunshine. This is the main beach for Torquay, being popular with holidaymakers from the surrounding hotels, day visitors and locals.
Close to the mouth of Brixham harbour is Breakwater Beach, one of the cleanest beaches on the English Riviera, South Devon’s beautiful bay. Not only is it a Blue Flag beach, but it has a Combined Seaside (resort) Award and been recommended by the Good Beach Guide. There’s disabled access with adjoining parking facilities, meaning everyone can enjoy it. Breakwater Beach is a particular favourite for scuba diving. There are a number of dive schools throughout the area and with some of the warmest and calmest waters in the country, this is the place to learn to scuba and get your open water certificate. Expect to see rare seagrass beds, seahorses, fish and even the odd shipwreck.
In between Paignton and Brixham is Broadsands on the English Riviera, South Devon’s Beautiful Bay. With a long sandy beach the whole family can enjoy, you can make sandcastles for a couple of hours and then paddle in the calm sea.
This is a great beach for all ages! paddling for the young and a variety of watersports for the older and braver! Accessible via a steep road or you could take the amazing Babbabacombe Cliff Railway.
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