Resources and Guidance

This section gives guidance on how to use the online application form and further information on the Quality Coast Award criteria and links to useful information to help Beach Operators when applying for an award.

Step-By-Step Guide

Click here to access the Step-by-Step Guide to using the online application form.

Water Quality

EU Designated Bathing Waters: These pages provide information on how to apply to become an EU designated bathing water.

Dog Control

Dog Control Orders:
This guide, written by Defra, is intended for local authorities, parish councils and for other bodies with powers to make dog control orders.

Access and Accessibility

Quality Coast Award access requirements and further criteria guidance... Click Here

Beach Map and Signage

Quality Coast Award beach map requirements:
This page gives further information on what to include on a public beach map including an example.

Quality Coast Award signage requirements and recommendations... Click Here

Guide to Beach Safety, Signs Flags and Symbols:
This guide, written by the RNLI, has the endorsement of Maritime and Coastguard Agency and a number of agencies with an interest in aquatic safety. The document should be used as a guide by beach owners and operators when specifying and installing new signs and flags.

Risk Assessments and Safety on Beaches

Quality Coast Award risk assessment requirements... Click Here

Safety on Beaches:
This publication available via the RoSPA website aims to alert beach managers to their responsibilities and the range of safety options available to them.

A Guide to Public Rescue Equipment:
This guide, written by the RNLI in consultation with other key water-related bodies, aims to help coastal managers determine and plan their PRE requirements.

RLSS Risk Assessment Guidance

General Management

Beach Management Advisory Group
This page contains a list of suggested organisations to include when consulting stakeholders via a Beach Management Advisory Group.

Visitor Capacity
This page gives guidance on considering the visitor capacity of a beach.

Managing Coastal Activities – A Guide for Local Authorities:
This guide, written by Defra, focuses on local authorities’ responsibilities to promote good practice among all users of the coast, to develop voluntary schemes for managing recreational activity and how to use byelaws to regulate activity where that is needed.