Green Flag Awards

• There were 60 Green Flag Awarded sites in 2009/10 - 7.8% of the national total.
• This total showed a 0.8% increase on 2007/08.

The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales. 

Run by the Civic Trust, the award scheme began in 1996 as a means of recognising and rewarding the best green spaces in the country.  It was also seen as a way of encouraging others to achieve the same high environmental standards, creating a benchmark of excellence in recreational green areas.

Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag status.

A record 1064 were awarded to sites across the country in 2009/10, a 43% increase on the 734 in 2007/2008. Of these sites, 46 have also received Green Heritage Site Accreditation, which is sponsored by English Heritage to promote best practice in the understanding, care and upkeep and promotion of green spaces that are of high heritage interest in England.

There are 60 Green Flag Awarded sites in the South West, representing 7.8% of the national total, retaining the one Green Heritage Site (Wellington Park in Somerset).  This is a slight increase of 0.8% on the previous year (Civic Trust)

• Civic Trust