10 Essex beaches given coveted 'Blue Flag' status

Frinton and Walton on the Naze are among destinations added to the list put together by Keep Britain Tidy.

The beach at Frinton
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 17th May 2023
Last updated 17th May 2023

Ten Essex Beaches have been handed the coveted 'blue flag' status, an award that puts them among some of the best in Britain.

Frinton on Sea and Walton on the Naze are among destinations added to the list, which only featured eight beaches in the county last year.

Thorpe Bay and Three Shells Beach in Southend have retained their blue flags, which recognise when a beach is kept esepcially clean clean.

However Chalkwell Beach, also in Southend, missed out this year.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said:

“Visitors to a beach flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award can be assured the beach will be clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as international bathing water quality standards.

“The Blue Flag is the world’s most recognised award for beaches and marinas and, to qualify, each applicant must meet and maintain a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria.

“We’d therefore like to recognise and applaud all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve some of our best-loved and most popular beaches.

"The collective efforts of beach managers, volunteers, residents and businesses all contribute to the success of these sites in achieving the incredibly high standards demanded.”

Blue Flag beaches in Essex - the full list for 2023:

• East Beach Shoeburyness - Southend on Sea Borough Council

• Shoebury Common - Southend on Sea Borough Council

• Thorpe Bay - Southend on Sea Borough Council

• Three Shells Beach - Southend on Sea Borough Council

• Westcliff Bay - Southend on Sea Borough Council

• Dovercourt Bay - Tendring District Council

• Brightlingsea - Tendring District Council

• Frinton on Sea - Tendring District Council

• Walton on the Naze - Tendring District Council

• Albion Beach - Tendring District Council

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