Poole's Awards

Blue Flags, Seaside Awards and the recognition the beaches, the harbour and the town have collected.

Awards are a shorthand for things that are hard to judge from a photograph: whether the water is clean, whether anyone is watching the swimmers, and whether the place is being looked after.

Blue Flag beaches

Sandbanks is the best-known of Poole's Blue Flag beaches, and several others along the bay have held the award. Blue Flag is assessed every year against water quality, safety provision, facilities and environmental management, so last year's list is not this year's.

Seaside Awards

The national Seaside Award recognises well-managed UK beaches and is held by beaches along this stretch of coast.

The harbour

Poole Harbour carries designations rather than awards: a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a RAMSAR wetland of international importance, which brings obligations rather than bragging rights. See sustainability.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Which Poole beaches have Blue Flag status?

Several of Poole's beaches have held Blue Flag status over the years, with Sandbanks the best known. Awards are assessed annually against water quality, safety, facilities and environmental management, so always check the current year's list.

What is the difference between a Blue Flag and a Seaside Award?

Blue Flag is an international award with strict criteria covering water quality, environmental management, safety and education. The Seaside Award is a national quality mark for well-managed beaches in the UK. A beach can hold either, both or neither in a given year.

Planning your visit?

Where to stay in Poole

Sandbanks hotels, harbourside flats a street back from the Quay and the quieter beds out at Hamworthy and Broadstone, with the areas each one suits.

Where to stay →