Nine beaches across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) have been awarded Blue Flag status for another year.
The news comes three months after Bournemouth beach was chosen as the 12th best beach in the world – and the best in the UK – at the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025.
The BCP beaches getting the Blue Flag are: Avon Beach, Branksome Chine, Canford Cliffs, Durley Chine, Fisherman’s Walk, Friars Cliff, Highcliffe, Sandbanks, and Shore Road.
Bournemouth Pier has been given a Seaside Award.
BCP Council says the success is made possible by collaborative work.
The Destination Management Board. Bournemouth Town Centre BID, Coastal BID, FJB Hotels, Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council, Just Move In, Poole BID, Saltwater Sauna, The Beach Hut café, and Rockwater helped fund applications to the scheme while A J Emery Consulting consulted on the applications.
Cllr Richard Herrett, Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure, and Commercial Operations at BCP Council, said: “We are very proud to have our beaches recognised, once again, as Blue Flag locations – highlighting our stunning natural surroundings.
“Each day our dedicated teams work around the clock to ensure our beaches meet Blue Flag standards – so that residents and visitors can enjoy the best of our coastline.
“We are fortunate to have such a beautiful stretch of coastline on our doorstep and ask our visitors to help us stay award-winning by picking up their litter, leaving only footprints and protecting our environment for generations to come.
“I particularly want to thank our partners, local businesses and organisations who have all united and worked together to fund the programme, in order to retain our Blue Flag status for another year.”
Andy Lennox, Chair of the Destination Management Board, said: “These awards are a perfect example of cross organisation collaborative working.
“Together a powerful coalition of local business, business improvements districts and BCP Council have worked to secure our beaches retain Blue Flag status once again.
“This is a testament to the collective commitment to quality, safety and environmental excellence.
“Having to retain these flags each year ensures that everyone one remains focused on those values.”
To qualify for a Blue Flag award, beaches must satisfy standards in four categories, with 33 individual targets covering environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, and safety and services.
Sandbanks beach has been awarded Blue Flag status in every year the awards have been running with this marking its 38th year of accreditation.