Known as the Garden of England, Kent now accounts for 47 Green Flag-awarded parks and open spaces in 2025. This is a testament to the hard work put in by local councils, the park staff, and community volunteers.
The Green Flag Award is an international symbol of quality. It recognizes public parks and green space sites that are well-maintained. The program is managed by the environmental charity ‘Keep Britain Tidy’. The awards for 2025 were announced in July. Across the UK, 2,250 parks and green spaces achieved this accolade. Kent’s high results show its determined commitment. The local authorities work hard to make sure excellent outdoor areas are available to locals and visitors.
Maidstone and Medway Lead
Several Kent parks really stood out this year. In Maidstone, for example, five valued parks earned recognition: Mote Park, Brenchley Gardens, Cobtree Manor Park, Clare Park, and Whatman Park.
Meanwhile, Medway celebrated eight of its green spaces. These included Broomhill Park, Capstone Farm Country Park, and Gillingham Park. Hillyfields Community Park, Riverside Country Park, The Great Lines Heritage Park, The Vines Gardens, and Ranscombe Farm Reserve also featured prominently among Medway’s winners.
Diverse Landscapes Honoured
The awards cover a wide range of green spaces. From sprawling country parks to vital urban retreats, Kent’s varied landscapes were well celebrated. Kent County Council saw eight of its country parks keep their Green Flag status. These were Brockhill, Grove Ferry Picnic Site, Lullingstone, Manor Park, Pegwell Bay, Shorne Woods, Teston Bridge, and Trosley Country Park. Such parks play a vital community role. They offer free, safe places for people to enjoy nature and, importantly, improve their health.
More Green Flag Winners Across Kent
Other local councils across Kent also celebrated significant success.
Ashford Borough Council secured an award. It was for its popular Victoria Park.
In Canterbury, three sites made the list. These included Reculver Country Park, Westgate Parks, and the Gorrell Valley Nature Reserve.
Folkestone and Hythe District Council had multiple award winners. They were Kingsnorth Gardens, Lower Leas Coastal Park, Radnor Park, and the Royal Military Canal.
Swale Borough Council celebrated three green spaces. These were Faversham Recreation Ground, Milton Creek Country Park, and Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park.
Swanley Town Council gained recognition. Its awarded sites included Elephant Park, St Mary’s Recreation Ground, and Swanley Park.
In Tonbridge and Malling, awards went to three areas. These were Haysden Country Park, Leybourne Lakes Country Park, and Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground.
Finally, Tunbridge Wells now boasts five Green Flag sites. They are Dunorlan Park, Grosvenor and Hilbert Park, St John’s Recreation Ground, The Grove, and Woodbury Park Cemetery.
Special Recognition for Heritage and Community
Beyond the standard Green Flag Awards, several Kent locations also earned the Green Heritage Site Accreditation. This specific honour recognizes historically important sites. It highlights those managed and presented with exceptional care.
Medway’s Great Lines Heritage Park, Swale’s Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park, and Thanet’s Ellington Park have each received notable recognition. Both Dunorlan Park and Grosvenor and Hilbert Park in Tunbridge Wells also achieved this distinction. These awards particularly highlight the dedicated efforts to preserve historical value.
Additionally, three community-managed green spaces in Kent won Green Flag Community Awards. These commend the vital work of local volunteers and groups. The Bearsted Woodland Trust, The Oval Bandstand and Lawns in Cliftonville, and Hythe Green (managed by the Hythe Green Preservation Society) all received praise. This recognition truly underscores the significant impact of grassroots efforts in looking after cherished local green spaces.
The Lasting Value of Green Spaces
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy, had high praise for all award winners. She stated this achievement “shows the tireless work of the people tasked with caring for and improving these crucial national assets.” Ogden-Newton also highlighted another point: good parks make areas healthier for living and working. They significantly boost an area’s appeal for investment, too.
Councillor Clive English, a key figure for Environmental Services and Enforcement in Maidstone, said, “This achievement reflects the dedication of our parks team and volunteers”. He added, “They work tirelessly to maintain these beautiful spaces for everyone to enjoy.”
The Green Flag Award scheme pushes councils to offer high-quality, eco-friendly public parks. These parks must be welcoming, safe, and clean. They also need to involve the community in their management. The award assessment also thoroughly checks how well parks manage their environment, wildlife, landscape, and heritage. Communication efforts are reviewed as well.
As urban areas continue to grow, the need for accessible green spaces will be of more value. Not only are they important to people living in the area, they also support local wildlife and help combat climate change. The recognition of Kent’s 47 parks confirms their important role. They help residents live healthy lives, build community spirit, and beautify the county. Local councils and community groups plan to build on this success. Their aim is to keep improving Kent’s green areas for future generations.