Our coastline has received many awards over the years for natural beauty, conservation, tourism and family friendliness. We've listed a few of these below.
Blue Flag beaches
The iconic Blue Flag is an international award presented to well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes. In 2024 many of our beaches received this award:
- Alum Chine
- Durley Chine
- Fisherman's Walk
- Southbourne
- Branksome Chine
- Canford Cliffs
- Shore Road
- Sandbanks
- Friars Cliff
- Avon
- Highcliffe
- Manor Steps
You can read more about our Blue Flag campaign.
Bournemouth beach ranked as one of the best beaches in the world
Bournemouth beach was ranked as the 12th best beach in the world by the TripAdvisor community in the 2025 Traveller's Choice Awards, and the number one beach in the UK in 2024.
Bournemouth beach is also consistently ranked among the best family friendly beaches in the UK. Awards have been received from HomeAway in 2020, as well as from teaching resource website Twinkl.
Bournemouth is a Purple Flag city centre
Purple Flag is an international accreditation programme from the Association of Town and City Management, that rewards excellence in evening and night-time economy. Purple Flag strives to help create safe and thriving locations at night for all users. Bournemouth has been a Purple Flag destination since 2010.