Seven Cheltenham parks and gardens celebrate another year of Green Flag success

Seven parks and green spaces across Cheltenham have once again been recognised among the best in the country, retaining their Green Flag status for another year.

Sandford Park, Hatherley Park, Montpellier Gardens, Naunton Park, Pittville Park, Springfields Park and Winston Churchill Memorial Garden are among 2,250 UK winners of the prestigious award. The Green Flag Award recognises the hard work and dedication of the teams, volunteers, and partners who help make these spaces welcoming, well-maintained, and enjoyable for everyone.

Pittville Park has also again achieved the Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the management of its historic features.

Cllr Paul Baker, cabinet member for waste, recycling, and green open spaces, said: “It’s fantastic news that seven of Cheltenham’s parks have once again been awarded Green Flag status. This achievement reflects the ongoing commitment of our volunteers, friends of groups, green space team, and the Ubico grounds maintenance and cleansing teams, who all work incredibly hard to help maintain these spaces to such a high standard. A huge thank you to everyone involved for their continued dedication.”

Barbara Leigh, green space volunteer coordinator for Friends of Pittville, said: “Following the stamp of approval given by the Green Flag ‘mystery visitor’, Friends of Pittville and the green space volunteers are delighted that Pittville Park retains its Green Flag and Green Heritage Award for 2025.

“The retention of this international quality mark for parks and green spaces is a great credit to the hard work and team effort of all those involved in maintaining our lovely park – Cheltenham Borough Council, Ubico, the green space volunteers and Friends of Pittville.”

Christopher Veal, volunteer coordinator for Winston Churchill Memorial Garden, said: “We are immensely pleased with the renewal of the Green Flag status for Winston Churchill Memorial Gardens (WCMG) for 2025/26. The development and maintenance of the park has been an ongoing collaborative effort between the council, Ubico and the Friends of WCMG volunteer group, and it is particularly pleasing that the outcomes of the continued investment and many hours of hard work have been recognised."

Green Flag Award scheme manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved who have worked tirelessly to ensure that these parks and gardens achieve the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.

“Quality parks and green spaces make the country a heathier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.

“Crucially, they are a vital green space for communities in Cheltenham 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 scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

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

Keep up to date with all the latest news about Cheltenham’s parks and gardens.