Exeter, Devon -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/14/2011 -- Blackpool Sands in South Devon boasts one of the UK’s best beaches and also has an award winning café according to the Guardian newspaper and Coast magazine.

They have both published recent surveys of Britain’s best beaches and Blackpool Sands was highlighted as one of the most outstanding beaches to visit and to swim at.

The Guardian believes that “Blackpool Sands is one of Devon’s finest Blue Flag beaches” and is one of the top places for swimming. It also praises “the excellent beach café” which has “impeccable eco credentials”.

Coast Magazine, which surveyed 50 of the UK’s beaches, nominated Blackpool Sands to the number one spot and praises the management of the beach for its cleanliness and location.

The beach, which has been owned by the Newman family since the 1950’s is situated three miles from Dartmouth on the A379 between Stoke Fleming and Strete.

Michael Smith, who owns the award winning Venus Café at Blackpool Sands, is delighted that beach and café are attracting national recognition: “We strive to maintain the highest standards at both the beach and the café. The beach is cleaned daily and we try to encourage visitors to respect the area and to be environmentally friendly as possible. We source as much local and organic produce as we can for the café and we are very proud of the team there and the service they offer. It is always nice to win recognition but we are very much aware that our role is to safeguard the beach for future generations who can also enjoy this wonderful natural treasure.”

This popular swathe of sandy beach offer fantastic swimming in clear, clean waters. Awarded a blue flag, Blackpool Sands has a no-dogs policy so you can be assured of the beach's hygiene. During the summer there is a lifeguard on duty and special children's facilities include sand pits and bathing raft. Blackpool Sands has been awarded the 2011 Blue Flag Award.

Bigbury-on Sea beach, which is also in South Devon, is recommended by the Guardian as one of the best family beaches in the UK. The paper extols its “golden, rural beach which is lapped by warm waters.”

This latest accolade for Blackpool Sands and Bigbury Bay reflects an ongoing trend for awards and recommendations for tourist attractions in South Devon.

For more information about South Devon, visit: http://www.ilovesouthdevon.com