Six of Coventry’s much-loved parks and green spaces have once again been officially recognised as some of the best in the country, having earned the prestigious Green Flag Award
Coombe Abbey Park has also received the Green Heritage Award status (for the 3rd year running) and earned Visit England accreditation scoring 100% for the arrival visitors are welcomed to.
War Memorial Park, Allesley Park, Longford Park, Caludon Castle Park, London Road Cemetery and Coombe Abbey Park all achieved the international Green Flag standard, a mark of excellence for well-managed parks and green spaces across the UK.
This recognition places the parks among 2,250 green spaces nationwide to meet the rigorous standards set by the Green Flag Award scheme.
Awarded by expert judges, the Green Flag award is only given to parks that demonstrate excellence in key areas such as accessibility, safety, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement. The award reflects the hard work and dedication of the teams, including council staff and volunteers, who care for these spaces and ensure they are welcoming, safe and enjoyable for everyone.
The additional Green Heritage Award recognition for Coombe Abbey Park is supported by Historic England and rewards those organisations who have taken action to conserve the heritage value of their site.
Visit England accreditation highlights a number of factors. Some of the judges feedback includes:
- The nature and trees and wildlife. Judges said: “What a takeaway memory of seeing new born Moorhens and the sight of a mother swan guiding her cygnets through the beautiful ponds was simply beautiful.”
- The Wildflower Meadow, described as…’a scenic place to wander through and enjoy.’
- The Redwood Grove and The Spinney Trail, with…’views of stunning scenery and new vistas around every corner.’
- ‘The scents of lavender, the whistling of the wind in the trees and solitude in peaceful locations.’
- Duck feeding… ‘the simplest of pleasures and underrated!’
- The special view on arrival…’a wonderful entrance that prepares you for the adventure ahead.’
Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council, said: “It is fantastic that our green spaces have once again received this highly respected national award. This achievement is a clear reflection of the incredible work done by our Council team and volunteers who are dedicated to keeping our green spaces in top condition.
“Parks and green spaces are vital for health, wellbeing and community life. I know that many people enjoy our fabulous parks – especially during the school summer holidays.
“It’s great to also see that Coombe Abbey Park received the Visit England accreditation. It is such a fantastic asset to the city with thousands of visitors every year.”
Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in the five Coventry parks who have worked tirelessly to ensure that they achieve the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.
“Quality parks and green spaces like the parks in Coventry make the country a healthier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.
“Crucially, your parks are vital green spaces for communities in Coventry to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis, it is a free and safe space for families to socialise. It also provides important opportunities for local people and visitors to reap the physical and mental health benefits of green space.”
The Green Flag Award, which is administered by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under license from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, is the benchmark for publicly accessible parks and green spaces worldwide, celebrating places that are not only well-maintained but also enhance the quality of life for local communities.
Historic England is the public organisation dedicated to protecting and revitalising England’s historic places. It works with communities to preserve everything from homes and high streets to cathedrals and mills, ensuring these places remain valued and accessible for future generations by offering advice, support and services.
Find out more about all of Coventry’s parks and open spaces.