If there’s something we do well in the UK, it’s a park. Our green spaces really come into their own come summer, whether as a forum for picky bits, relaxing with a book or organising some form of group sport. For many, the local park is now (literally) the hottest spot in town thanks to this year’s record heatwaves – and completely free of charge.
But of course, there are good parks and then there are great parks, and that’s where the Green Flag Awards come in. Launched to reward well-managed parks and green spaces across the UK, the Green Flag Awards assess criteria in atmosphere, health and safety, cleanliness, environmental standards, biodiversity and community involvement to stamp the best parks with a seal of approval.
The UK’s Green Flag scheme celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, awarding a total of 2,391 parks with a prestigious Green Flag standard. To celebrate the community benefits of park spaces during summer, environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy has shared its top Green Flag parks across England – from a surprise spot in East London to a historic estate in Nottingham.
1. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London
Spanning 560 acres, this park has transformed from the famous site of the 2012 Olympics into a modern hub, combining pretty parkland with event spaces and sports facilities.
There are numerous gardens and open spaces to explore – including the poignant London Blossom Garden, planted to commemorate the city’s shared experience of the Coronavirus pandemic – as well as family highlights including the Tumbling Bay adventure playground (complete with rock pools, sand pits, and treehouses) and the towering interactive water fountains.
2. Worden Park, Leyland, Lancashire
This sprawling historic estate is the only site outside of London to have won Green Flag status every single year since its launch in 1997.
Particularly well set up for families, it features a large, well-equipped adventure playground split into sections for toddlers and older children – as well as its famous 1850s hedge maze, with over half a mile of hornbeam hedges. Visitors can also enjoy walks through the walled gardens and surrounding mature woodlands, as well as free rides on the estate’s miniature model railway on select days.
3. Saltwell Park, Gateshead
Referred to as the ‘People’s Park’ when it was built in 1876, Saltwell Park is a perfect example of a Victorian Park – with 12 Grade 2-listed structures, including a classic bandstand, dotted around the land.
