Fifteen of Yorkshire's beaches have also scooped Keep Britain Tidy's prestigious Quality Coast Awards for being great places to visit. This recognises and rewards beaches achieving the highest standards of beach management (e.g. the best cleanliness and facilities available).
Beach managers are provided with a three year action plan to identify any areas which may require improvement and help maintain the infrastructure currently in place to manage the beach.
This annual award runs during the bathing season (May to September). The 2011 award winners are shown below.
East Yorkshire
Barmston: retaining its Quality Coast Award with over 2 km of long clear sands, Barmston is the perfect beach for relaxing, playing, walking and a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.
Bridlington North Beach: sand and shingle beach backed against the impressive Flamborough cliffs. Surrounded by wide promenades, kids will love the traditional amusement halls, boat and fairground rides
Bridlington South: overlooking Bridlington Bay, the golden sands to the south extend right down to Spurn Point at the mouth of the River Humber.
Danes Dyke: on the south side of the dramatic Flamborough Headland, an impressive 1km stretch of sand, striking white pebbles and rock pools, bound by imposing cliffs to the east and west. There are nature trails which run through Danes Dyke Local Nature Reserve.
Fraisthorpe: just south of Bridlington, and much quieter, the sands here are clean, flat and extensive, especially at low tides, and perfect for exploring.
South Landing: located on the south side of the magnificent Flamborough Headland overlooking Bridlington Bay, South Landing beach is a beautiful expanse of sand and white pebbles.
Wilsthorpe: beautiful expanse of golden sand that is backed by dunes and low cliffs, perfect to escape from the the hustle and bustle of nearby Bridlington.
North Yorkshire
Cayton Bay: backed by cliffs, quiet beach much favoured by surfers and windsurfers, with WWII fortifications adding historical interest
Filey: a glorious wide stretch of golden sand. Set in a sweeping bay, the beach is protected by the rocky grandeur of Filey Brigg, a haven for a variety of birds and wildlife.
Robin Hood's Bay: twisting, turning cobbled streets fall away to the sea of this once smuggler's paradise. Hunt for fossils and fascinating marine life in rockpools at low tide
Runswick Bay: small sheltered beach with rock pools either side of the bay. The beach is in front of a picture-postcard village where the houses seem to be clinging to the steep hillside. Red-roofed cottages, sheltered from the winds by the crag of Lingrow Knowle, cascade down the cliffs to the seafront.
Sandsend: a small, picturesque beach situated on Yorkshire's heritage coastline. It's a popular haunt with fossil collectors and fishing enthusiasts. An ideal playground for the family with the beck providing safe paddling and boating for children of all ages.
Scarborough North Bay: sandy family beach backed by hills and cliffs. Scarborough Castle dominates the skyline overlooking the beach - and a miniature railway running right along the bay.
Scarborough South Bay: large sandy bay with good facilities, child friendly amenities and is popular with families.
Whitby West Cliff: offers something for everyone: clean waters for those who like a paddle; fascinating rock pools for those interested in the local marine life; spectacular cliffs steeped in geological history for visiting explorers; and clean sandy beaches for those who just like to relax in the sunshine and soak up the atmosphere.
