Popular Welsh beach Southerndown loses its prestigious Blue Flag status for 2023

  • Wales
Southerdown beach Credit: Media Wales

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 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.”

Vale of Glamorgan Council has been contacted for comment.

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.

Southerndown beach in the Vale of Glamorgan, which has just lost its Blue Flag status Credit: Media Wales

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