Thousands of green spaces across the UK to fly Green Flags

A record number of parks and green spaces across the UK reached the high standards required for a coveted Green Flag Award, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces, in 2022.

The Green Flag Award Scheme, managed by Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, sets the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the UK and around the world.

In total 2,208 parks – the largest number since the scheme began 26 years ago – are preparing to raise their flags.

The Green Flag Award has seen successful submissions from local authorities and other land managers across the country for a range of sites, from world-famous city parks to unique green spaces.

Four parks that received their first Green Flag Award when the scheme was launched in 1996 have flown it every year since. They are Cockington Country Park – Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Worden Park – South Ribble Borough Council, Queen’s Park – City of London, and Highgate Wood – City of London.

They are joined by parks and green spaces as diverse as Overleigh Old Cemetery in Cheshire, Kings Heath Park in Birmingham, and Walthamstow Wetlands.

In addition, 133 of the winners have also received a Green Heritage Site Accreditation for the management of historic features, supported in England by Historic England. These include The Royal Pump Room Gardens – Warwick District Council, Birkenhead Park – Wirral Borough Council, and Alexandra Park – Hastings Borough Council.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton, said: “The Green Flag Award is a vital component in ensuring the continuing quality of our parks and green spaces, making sure they are managed to the highest standards and are safe and accessible.

“The news that a record number have achieved the Green Flag Award standard is testament to the hard work of staff and volunteers who look after these national assets.”

The winners will be celebrated this week at three awards ceremonies at the National Memorial Arboretum, Doncaster, and Lambeth.