Some 200 parks get Green Flags across East of England

Ipswich had several parks deemed worthy of Green Flag Awards, including Christchurch Park on the edge of the town centre

Hundreds of parks and green spaces across the East of England have won Green Flag Awards.

The first Green Flags were awarded in 1997 after many historic city centre parks were left neglected and derelict for decades.

Green Flags celebrate parks that are well-maintained for users and nature.

This year 204 parks and green spaces across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Suffolk have been featured in the awards list.

The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

Chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton said: "We are thrilled to see that an incredible 204 sites in the East of England have met the standards required for a Green Flag Award, reflecting the tireless work of the people tasked with caring for and improving these crucial national assets."

Four Green Flag awards have been given to St Albans City and District Council in Hertfordshire in recognition of its outstanding parks and open spaces.

Hertfordshire's Verulamium Park was also given a green heritage site accreditation, supported by Historic England, for the "excellent management" of its ancient Roman features.

Elsewhere in the district, Harpenden Common and Lydekker Park – both owned by Harpenden Town Council – were also awarded Green Flags.

Jersey Farm Woodland Park, owned by Sandridge Parish Council, was awarded the community award.

In Bedfordshire, Ampthill Great Park and Luton's Brantwood, Memorial, People's, Stockwood and Wardown parks are among those flying the Green Flag.

In Buckinghamshire, honoured parks included Bedgrove in Aylesbury, Hughenden Park and the Rye in High Wycombe, and Milton Keynes's Fred Roche Gardens.

Some 204 parks have made it on the Green Flag list this year

The scheme was launched 29 years ago and the first awards were given a year later.

In Essex, the Boleyn Gardens Beaulieu Recreation Ground and Grand Vista - both managed by Chelmsford City Council - won a Green Flag Awards.

Angel Meadow and David Smith Memorial Fields, looked after by Broomfield Parish Council and Broomfield Village Hall, also made it on to the awards list.

The upkeep of the Roman ruins at Verulamium Park helped secure the Heritage site award

More than a dozen places in Suffolk have been given Green Flag Awards.

They are the Abbey Gardens and Nowton Park in Bury St Edmunds, West Stow Country Park and Anglo Saxon Village, Brandon Country Park, Aspal Close in Beck Row and East Town Park in Haverhill.

In Ipswich, Bourne Park, Christchurch and Holywells have been recognised as has Nicholas Everitt Park in Oulton Broad near Lowestoft.

Alton Water's found its way back on the list while Felixstowe Seafront Gardens retains its award as does Lowestoft's Woods Meadow Country Park.

Norwich City Council has six parks and green spaces on the list - Eaton Park, Heigham Park, Jenny Lind Park, Ketts Heights, Mousehold Heath and Waterloo Park.

Elsewhere in Norfolk, the UEA has Green Flag, as does Holt Country Park, Hunstanton's Heritage Gardens and Anglian Water's Taverham Mill.

The Green Patch in Kettering hosts free mindful activities for everyone to do

In Northamptonshire, The Green Patch in Kettering has won a Green Flag Community Award.

This area uses a 2.5-acre site to support young people, adults and families through free gardening, therapy sessions, and mental health and wellbeing activities.

Green Flag Award winners included Pitsford Water, Coronation Park in Corby and Daventry Country Park.

In Cambridgeshire, Ely's Country Park and Jubilee Gardens have also been featured, as has Grafham Water, Priory Park and the Riverside Park in St Neots, and Hinchingbrooke Country Park in Huntingdon.

In Peterborough, Central Park, Itter Park and Eye Community Open Space also get Green Flag Awards.

The full list of Green Flag winners for 2025 is here.