Today, we’re celebrating a Green Flag Award for the Guildford Castle Grounds and Stoke Park. These two green spaces have been officially recognised as among the country’s best parks. They have achieved the international quality mark for parks and green spaces in 2024.

This accreditation is evidence of the hard work and dedication of our parks team which cares for these green spaces.

Lead Councillor for Climate Change and Environment, Cllr George Potter said:
“Receiving a Green Flag award for the Guildford Castle Grounds and Stoke Park shows we’re managing these to the highest standards and ensuring they are welcoming and safe for everyone to enjoy.

“We’re very proud of all our parks and green spaces. They provide a place for relaxation and recreation, as well as a rich mix of natural habitats that offer a haven for wildlife and help to combat climate change.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said:
“I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Stoke Park and the Guildford Castle Grounds on achieving a Green Flag Award.

“These sites are vital green spaces for communities in the Guildford Borough to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.

“We know that staff work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”

The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces. Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy manages the scheme.

We are committed to caring for our local environment and have a portfolio of 50 breath-taking countryside sites, 65 enchanting parks and gardens, and over 30 playgrounds.

The Green Flag Award Scheme is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

Any green space that is freely accessible to the public is eligible to enter for a Green Flag Award. Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag Award status. A Green Flag Community Award recognises quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups. Green Heritage Site Accreditation is judged on the treatment of the site’s historic features and the standard of conservation.

Keep Britain Tidy is a leading environmental charity. They set the standard for the management of parks and beaches, inspire people to be litter-free, to waste less and live more sustainably. Keep Britain Tidy run campaigns and programmes including the Great British Spring Clean, Eco-Schools, Love Parks Week, Buy Nothing New Month, Eco-Schools, the Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces, the Blue Flag/Seaside Awards for beaches and blue spaces, and the Green Key for sustainable tourism and hospitality. To find out more about Keep Britain Tidy, their campaigns and programmes visit www.keepbritaintidy.org.