As the international Blue Flag award reaches its 39th year, the area’s best beaches are celebrating.
Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy has today announced the winners of the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for summer 2026, and among them is St Annes Beach.
A spokesperson for Fylde Council said: “We’re absolutely delighted that St Annes Beach has once again been recognised with a Seaside Award – it’s a fantastic achievement that the whole community can be proud of.
“St Annes Beach is one of our greatest assets, and this award is a testament to the hard work that goes into keeping it clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone who visits. Whether you’re a local enjoying a stroll along the seafront or a visitor discovering our beautiful coastline for the first time, this recognition is your assurance that St Annes is a beach worth celebrating.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said: “England is fortunate to boast some of the world’s finest beaches, and it’s encouraging to see this reflected in the award to St Annes Beach signalling its high standards to all who visit or live nearby.
“Everybody involved in these achievements should feel proud of their ongoing work to care for and enhance these important local blue spaces.”
The Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are designed to raise standards across England’s coastline and inland waters, while shining a spotlight on the country’s top beaches. These awards are the only way for the public to be assured that beaches are delivering a safe, clean and well-managed space for them to enjoy.
Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.
Among the criteria beaches are assessed against are:
- Safety and services such as first aid, and lifeguards where necessary
- Environmental information, including displaying details about local ecosystems
- Environmental management, including litter and waste
- Water quality – Seaside Award (designated bathing waters) winners must meet, as a minimum, the ‘sufficient’ standard.
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