Awards

With spectacular beaches, fantastic views, historic gardens and a bustling town centre there’s no shortage of reasons to love Bournemouth… but if you do need more convincing, here’s a string of titles and awards, making us one of the UK’s most celebrated destinations.

Bournemouth named UK’s most Family Friendly Destination 2020

Our beloved beautiful Bournemouth beach has been named the UK’s most Family Friendly Destination for 2020. The national contest, run by HomeAway, saw votes from more than 3,000 members of the British public in their online competition in June.

Bournemouth received 30 per cent of the votes for the seaside category, beating off competition from Sennen Cove in Cornwall (27 per cent), Torquay in Devon (18 per cent) and Scarborough in North Yorkshire (12 per cent).

Clean, sandy beaches with a “friendly and vibrant” feel is how voters described our Dorset-based beach, home to several Blue Flag award-winning stretches.

Awards & Accreditations 

The iconic Blue Flag is an international award presented to well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes.

• Alum Chine beach, Durley Chine beach, Fisherman’s Walk beach, Southbourne beach, Branksome Chine, Canford Cliffs, Shore Road, Sandbanks, Friars Cliff, Avon Beach, Highcliffe and Manor Steps. 

Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.

• Bournemouth’s Seaside Awards: Alum Chine, Avon Beach, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Branksome Chine, Canford Cliffs, Durley Chine, Fisherman’s Walk, Friars Cliff, Highcliffe, Sandbanks, Shore Road, Southbourne and Manor Steps.

The Green Flag Awards scheme recognises and rewards well-managed park and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

• Green Flags (20): Alum Chine & Argyll Gardens, Boscombe Chine Gardens, Boscombe Overcliff Gardens & Nature Reserve, Fishermans Walk, Hengistbury Head, Kinson Common, Lower/Central/Upper Gardens, Moore Avenue, Muscliff Park, North Cemetery, Pelhams Park, Queens Park, Redhill Park & Common, Seafield Gardens, Slades Farm, Springbourne Gardens, Stour Valley, Tuckton Tea Gardens & Riverlands, Winton Recreation Ground, Royal Bournemouth Hospital