Cheltenham Borough Council proudly announces that the number of Green Flag award-winning parks in the area has increased to eight with the inclusion of Burrow’s Field in Leckhampton this summer. This marks a significant milestone in maintaining and enhancing the borough’s commitment to outstanding green spaces.
Renowned Pittville Park, with its picturesque lake, café, extensive adventure playground, and small animal petting area, continues to draw admiration. Yet Cheltenham and its surrounding villages offer an even broader array of beautiful parks achieving national acclaim.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the prestigious Green Flag Award, with 2,391 sites nationwide receiving the honour. Cheltenham retained seven existing Green Flags and proudly welcomed Burrow’s Field as the newest recipient.
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Joining this list are Sandford Park, Hatherley Park, Montpellier Gardens, Naunton Park, Pittville Park, Springfields Park, and Winston Churchill Memorial Gardens. Nearby Gloucester adds four green spaces and the historic Gloucester & Sharpness Canal to Gloucestershire’s total accredited sites.
The Green Flag Award is internationally recognized as the benchmark for high-quality parks and green spaces. Pittville Park additionally earned Green Heritage Site status from Historic England, recognizing its careful stewardship of historic features.
Steve Harvey, cabinet member for waste, recycling and green open spaces at Cheltenham Borough Council, remarked, “It’s wonderful to see our parks acknowledged with eight Green Flag awards this year. This achievement highlights the dedication of our green space teams, Ubico staff, volunteers, and Friends groups who work tirelessly to maintain these treasured areas.”
He continued, “Our parks greatly contribute to the wellbeing of both residents and visitors by providing vital spaces to relax, exercise, and connect with nature. We’re especially thrilled to see Burrow’s Field achieve Green Flag status for the first time, a testament to the community’s hard work.”
Mark Beany of Leckhampton Rovers Football Club added, “Our partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council has transformed Burrow’s Field into a safe, welcoming space for the whole community to enjoy exercise, socializing, and outdoor activities.”
Burrow’s Field covers approximately 6.3 hectares in Leckhampton and serves as home to Cheltenham’s largest youth football club, Leckhampton Rovers, as well as the Broadlands pre-school playgroup. Facilities include four full-sized football pitches, two cricket squares, a pavilion with café, a BMX pump track, and a children’s play area. The site is popular with dog walkers and ramblers and offers excellent access to public rights of way and the surrounding countryside.
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag award manager at Keep Britain Tidy, emphasized the importance of parks: “Public parks are critical for community wellbeing, social connections, and economic benefits. Despite challenging times, investing in parks is not a luxury but a necessary step to enhance quality of life, especially in underserved areas.”
Cheltenham’s growing collection of Green Flag parks reflects a strong commitment to providing safe, attractive, and enriching green spaces for all to enjoy.