Green Heritage Sites are a specific accreditation within the Green Flag Award scheme. Anyone who manages a green space and is applying for a Green Flag Award can also apply to be a Green Heritage Site.
The aim of Green Heritage Site status is to promote the value of and best practice in the care and upkeep of historic sites. This can give added benefits to a site by generating community interest and securing a long term future for the site that will be valued and cherished by all who use it.
There are over 200 municipal public parks that are registered by English Heritage as being of special historic interest, and there are many other public green spaces like cemeteries, town squares and country parks registered too. A survey in 2001 of local authorities (Public Park Assessment) estimates that there are 2,500 historic parks of national and local historic importance (45,400 hectares).
The Green Heritage Site award is open to all sites, not just registered ones. The only condition is that sites have to be more than 30 years old.
Green Heritage Site status can be gained by completing the Green Flag application form and providing a conservation or restoration plan. This should include details of how the site is promoted in terms of its heritage and a statement in no more than 250 words, indicating why the site is important in terms of national or local historic importance.
Details of how to apply can be found on the Green Flag Award website.
Fifty sites were given this award in 2010-11. There were the same number of winners for 2011-12. The winning sites announced for 2012-13 increased to 55.
2012-13 Winners
East of England
- Admiral Park, Tower Gardens & adjoining West Park, Chelmsford Borough Council
- Bushey Rose Garden - Registered Park Grade II, Hertsmere Borough Council
- Castle Park - Registered Park Grade II, Colchester Borough Council
- Hylands Estate - Registered Park Grade II*, Chelmsford Borough Council
- Oaklands Park, Chelmsford Borough Council
- Rye House Gatehouse, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
- Waltham Abbey Gardens, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Greater London
- Alexandra Palace Park - Registered Park Grade II, Alexandra Palace Charitable Trust
- Bunhill Fields – Registered Park Grade I, City of London
- City of London Cemetery & Crematorium - Registered Park Grade I, City of London
- Forty Hall Park - Registered Park Grade II, London Borough of Enfield
- Garricks Lawn, Garricks Temple Management Committee
- Greenwich Park - Registered Park Grade I, The Royal Parks
- Hall Place House and Gardens - Registered Park Grade II, Bexley Heritage Trust
- Hampstead Heath, City of London
- Highgate Wood, City of London
- Kenley Common, City of London
- Kensington Gardens - Registered Park Grade I, The Royal Parks
- Myddelton House Gardens - Registered Grade II, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
- St James's Park & The Green Park - Registered Park Grade I, The Royal Parks
- St John at Hackney Churchyard Gardens, London Borough of Hackney
- West Ham Park - Registered Park Grade II, City of London
North East
- Blackhill and Consett Park, Durham County Council & Leisureworks
- Horden Welfare Park, Horden Parish Council
- Saltwell Park - Registered Park Grade II, Gateshead Council
North West
- Birkenhead Park - Registered Park Grade I, Wirral Council
- Chances Park, Carlisle City Council
- Distington Hall Crematorium, Copeland Borough Council
- Egremont Castle and Grounds, Copeland Borough Council
- Heaton Park - Registered Park Grade II, Manchester City Council
- St Nicholas Gardens, Copeland Borough Council
- Sefton Park – Registered Park Grade II*, Liverpool City Council
- Stanley Park - Registered Park Grade II*, Liverpool City Council
- Tatton Park - Registered Park Grade II*, Cheshire East Council
- Trinity Gardens, Copeland Borough Council
- Victoria Park, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
South East
- Ashtead Common, City of London
- Burnham Beeches NNR, City of London
- Caversham Court - Registered Park Grade II, Reading Borough Council
- Dunorlan Park - Registered Park Grade II, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
- Forbury Gardens & the Abbey Ruins - Registered Park Grade II, Reading Borough Council
- Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park, Swale Borough Council
- St Leonards Gardens - Registered Park Grade II, Hastings Borough Council
- Whitstable Castle and Park, Whitstable Castle Trust
South West
- Ashton Court Estate - Registered Park Grade II, Bristol City Council
- Dorchester Borough Gardens, Dorchester Town Council
- Ham Hill Country Park, South Somerset District Council
- Kit Hill Country Park, Cornwall Council
- Lydiard Park - Registered Park Grade II, Swindon Borough Council
- Wellington Park – Registered Park Grade II, Taunton Deane Borough Council
West Midlands
- Bantock Park, Wolverthampton City Council
- Jephson Gardens & Mill Gardens, Warwick District Council
- West Park - Registered Park Grade II, Wolverthampton City Council
Yorkshire and Humberside
- Peoples Park - Registered Park Grade II, North East Lincolnshire Council
- Shibden Estate - Registered Park Grade II, Calderdale Council
Green Heritage Site Status
For more information on the Green Heritage Site status and how to apply please see the Green Flag Award website.
