We’re thrilled to announce that Rutland Water is the first site in the UK to be awarded the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Award for Summer 2024, alongside its existing Green Flag. This trio of awards is a testament to both the excellent water quality and biodiversity at our reservoir.  

 

For those who haven’t heard of a Blue Flag, it is an international award, managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education. The award is only presented to beaches with water which has achieved the highest classification as set by the EU Bathing Water Directive. The Seaside Awards are presented to the best beaches in England and celebrate the quality and diversity of our coastline.  

Impressively, Rutland Water’s Sykes Lane will be the first and currently only Blue Flag accredited bathing water location within a Green Flag awarded site in England. The Green Flag award, which is a testament to our incredible park's teams, recognises excellence within park management, biodiversity and heritage preservation.  

 

Among the criteria beaches are assessed against are:  

  • Safety and services, such as first aid, lifeguards where necessary 
  • Environmental information including displaying details about local eco systems 
  • Water quality – Blue Flag beaches must meet the ‘excellent’ water quality standard as set out in the EU bathing water directive and Seaside Award winners must meet the 'sufficient’ standard.
  • Environmental management, including litter and waste. 

 

Rutland Water’s General Manager, Will Kirstein, said: “There is enormous pride among the team at Rutland Water in achieving these prestigious awards.  Without doubt this is down to the care and passion and hard work and diligence of our entire team who work tirelessly to take care of the environment and ensuring water quality is constantly the very best it can possibly be.”

 

Typically, swimming isn’t allowed in most parts of the reservoir as its primary function is as a source of drinking water for people across the East of England. However, the beach at Sykes Lane has become a regular feature at the water park during the summer and is supervised by fully qualified lifeguards. To find out more about visiting Sykes Lane, visit here. 

 

Find out about the other investments we’re making in bathing waters here.