One of Wales’ most popular beaches has lost its Blue Flag status over the state of its toilets. Southerndown in the Vale of Glamorgan is one of Wales’ most spectacular beaches but has lost its coveted award, which recognises water cleanliness and quality, because of the state of its toilets.
Every other beach that was on the Blue Flag list in 2022 has retained its place on the prestigious list this year, and Aberporth has regained its flag. Southerndown has been instead been recognised among 12 beaches to receive the Seaside Award for its “standard of water quality and facilities”.
A spokeswoman for Keep Wales Tidy explained the reason for Southerndown’s demotion. She said: “Sadly this season Southerndown has not reached the high standards of the Blue Flag Award. The national jury did not make the decision lightly but felt that in addition to minor issues identified, the toilet facilities at the beach were not reaching the expectations of the Blue Flag criterion.
"Keep Wales Tidy will continue to work with the Vale of Glamorgan Council in the hope that following a successful funding bid by the council the toilets will be renovated. However, last week Southerndown was awarded a Seaside Award for the forthcoming season.”
A spokesperson for the Vale of Glamorgan Council said: "Southerndown beach has received a Seaside Award for 2023. This is the national standard for the best beaches across the UK and a recognition that visitors will be greeted by a clean, attractive and well managed beach at Dunraven Bay. Unfortunately, the facilities at the beach did not meet the Blue Flag criteria for this year. The council will have to make savings of more than £9m this year and the harsh reality of this is that we have to take very difficult decisions on which facilities to fund. Although it is open to the public Dunraven Bay is on private land and the council is prioritising investment in facilities which it is wholly responsible for."
Fourteen Welsh beaches have also been given the Green Coast award - up from 13 last year - meaning they are considered “hidden gems” along the Welsh coastline that are “exceptional places to visit and enjoy diversity and rich coastal heritage”. Below is the full list of awards for Welsh beaches in 2023.
Blue Flag beaches in Wales in 2023
Bridgend
- Rest Bay
- Trecco Bay
- Porthcawl Marina
Carmarthenshire
- Cefn Sidan
Ceredigion
- Aberporth
- Aberystwyth South
- Borth
- Llangrannog
- Tresaith
Denbighshire
- Prestatyn
Pembrokeshire
- Amroth
- Newgale
- Saundersfoot
- Dale
- Whitesands
- Coppet Hall
- Tenby South
- Tenby Castle
- Poppit Sands
- Broadhaven North
Swansea
- Caswell Bay
- Langland Bay
- Port Eynon
- Swansea Marina
Vale of Glamorgan
- Penarth Marina
Green Coast beaches in Wales in 2023
Anglesey
- Silver Nay
Ceredigion
- New Quay Traeth Gwyn
- Cilborth
- Llanrhystud
- Mwnt
- Penbryn
Swansea
- Bracelet Bay
Pembrokeshire
- Abereiddy
- Freshwater East
- Manorbier
- Penally
- Caerfai
- Druidston
- West Angle Bay
Seaside Award beaches in Wales in 2023
Ceredigion
- Aberystwyth North
- New Quay Harbour
- Traeth y Dolau
Denbighshire
- Rhyl Central
Neath Port Talbot
- Aberavon
Vale of Glamorgan
- Whitmore Bay
- Jacksons Bay
- Cold Knap
- Penarth
- Llantwit Major
- Southerndown
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