Seven coveted Green Flags of excellence have been awarded to parks and green spaces in Bath - one more than the previous year.

Sydney Gardens is a winner for the first time in this year’s national awards which recognise the country’s best parks, alongside Haycombe Cemetery, Henrietta Park, Hedgemead Park, Bloomfield Park, Alexandra Park and Royal Victoria Park which all retain their accolades.

The seven parks and green spaces managed by Bath & North East Somerset Council have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award for being welcoming places that are safe and secure, clean and well maintained and fulfil sustainable and conservation requirements. They are also well-managed and benefit from community involvement.

The judges carried out ‘mystery shops’ at Royal Victoria Park, Bloomfield Park, Alexandra Park and Haycombe whilst Henrietta Park, Hedgemead Park and Sydney Gardens had scheduled visits.

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

Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “It’s great news that seven of our stunning parks and green spaces have received national recognition for excellence, which is one extra than last year thanks to the parks team and volunteers at Sydney Gardens. We want to ensure that our communities have access to quality green spaces and increase biodiversity across the area and we are fortunate to be well-supported in this by the Friends groups, who work hard all year round. Thank you and well done to everyone involved.”

Find a park or green space in Bath and North East Somerset.

You can also find a Friends of Parks group

A full list of Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces is available here.