Seaside Awards: Whitmore Bay, Jacksons Bay, and Cold Knap

Keep Wales Tidy has recognised five coastal parts of the Vale of Glamorgan with Blue Flag and Seaside Awards.

Both awards play an important role in protecting marine environments – areas which earn these awards must maintain high environmental standards and achieve stringent water quality targets.

The Seaside Award – which is marked with a yellow and blue flag – is the national standard for the best beaches; it recognises clean, attractive, and well managed coastal areas in the UK.

This award has been given to:

• Whitmore Bay;
• Jacksons Bay;
• Cold Knap.

Jackson's Bay is one of three Barry beaches to win a Seaside Award from Keep Wales Tidy

Meanwhile, Penarth Marina and Southerndown beach both earned Blue Flag awards. 

The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary awards for beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators.

Criteria for a Blue Flag includes:

• Environmental;
• Educational;
• Safety;
• Accessibility.

Cllr Mark Wilson, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood and Building Services, said: “I’m thrilled to see five locations in the Vale recognised in this years’ Wales Coast Awards.

“Well done to everybody who works hard to improve and maintain our marine environment, including the many volunteers that help keep our beaches clean.

“I hope that the awards encourage many more visitors to enjoy the Vale’s coast, bringing many benefits to local communities and businesses."

He added that he is "proud" that the Vale of Glamorgan had helped contribute to Wales having more Blue Flag beaches per mile than anywhere else in the UK.

“As we continue to strive to achieve a clean and well managed coastline, I hope to see more locations added to the award list in the future," continued Cllr Mark Wilson.

The full list of awards can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website: keepwalestidy.cymru/our-work/awards/wales-coast-awards