Fifteen of London and southeast England’s most cherished green spaces have once again been awarded Green Flag status – recognising them among the very best managed parks and open spaces in the world. [See notes to editors].
With millions of visitors expected this summer, the Corporation is urging people to help protect places like Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest and West Ham Park by leaving no trace of rubbish, leaving the barbecues at home, and treating the land with care.
The Green Flag Awards celebrate excellence in conservation, biodiversity, cleanliness and visitor experience. 14 of the City Corporation-owned sites have also received Green Heritage Site Accreditation, recognising their historic features and high standard of conservation.
Chair of the City Corporation’s Natural Environment Board, James St John Davis, said:
“These awards reflect the incredible work of our staff and volunteers in caring for some of the most beautiful and ecologically important places in and around London — but they also come with a clear message.”
“Each summer, these spaces face increasing pressure — from fire risk, litter, and more people coming to enjoy the outdoors. The job doesn’t stop once the flags go up.”
“We’re asking everyone to play their part and follow the rules: take your litter home, and never light fires or barbecues. We must do everything we can to protect the places we’ve all worked so incredibly hard to care for.”
Chair of the City Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee, Caroline Haines, said:
“From the ancient woodlands of Epping Forest to the wide-open Commons of south London and beyond, these landscapes are vital refuges for both nature and people. The Green Flag Awards recognise the care that goes into protecting them — but we also rely on visitors to help keep them safe, clean, and thriving.
“A recent fire in the far south of Epping Forest is a timely reminder of how vulnerable these spaces can be in hot weather. Barbecues are banned for good reason — a single spark from a cigarette or glass bottle can cause real damage. Everyone has a part to play in protecting these much-loved places.”
Chair of the City Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee, Alderman and Sheriff Gregory Jones KC, said:
“Hampstead Heath has offered space to breathe, relax and recharge for generations. Winning a Green Flag again is a proud moment — and a reminder that we each have a role to play in looking after the Heath for the future.
“This is not achieved without a large investment of financial and human resources. In order to preserve this environment, it is vital that we all abide by the Heath’s bylaws and regulations, which are there for everyone’s safety and enjoyment.”
The Corporation looks after 11,000 acres of green space across London and the southeast, investing millions of pounds every year.
Most of these sites are run as charitable trusts and include Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation, and National Nature Reserves – all protected under environmental legislation.
A recent report estimated that the open spaces managed by the City Corporation deliver £282.6 million in benefits to society every year, and £8.1 billion over 50 years.
Together, they attract more than 47 million visits annually – over three times the number of people who attend Premier League matches each season, and almost eight times the visitors to the Grand Canyon.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile, dedicated to supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK – .
The Green Flag Award® scheme recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark for the management of outdoor spaces across the UK and around the world – www.keepbritaintidy.org/green-flag-award.
List of Corporation Green Flag Award Winners:
- Ashtead Common
- Bunhill Fields
- Burnham Beeches National Nature Reserve
- Cemetery and Crematorium
- Coulsdon Common
- Epping Forest
- Farthing Downs & New Hill
- Hampstead Heath
- Highgate Wood
- Kenley Common
- Queen’s Park
- Riddlesdown
- Spring Park
- West Ham Park
- West Wickham Common
List of Corporation Green Heritage Site Accreditations:
- Ashtead Common
- Bunhill Fields
- Burnham Beeches National Nature Reserve
- Cemetery and Crematorium
- Coulsdon Common
- Epping Forest
- Farthing Downs & New Hill
- Hampstead Heath
- Highgate Wood
- Kenley Common
- Queen’s Park
- Riddlesdown
- West Ham Park
- West Wickham Common
About our open spaces
Epping Forest and its surrounding Buffer Lands span around 8,000 acres – nine times the size of New York’s Central Park – and attract over 10 million visits a year. The Forest is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation, known for its ancient wood-pasture, historic sites, and rich biodiversity. Managed by the Corporation, it offers extensive opportunities for walking, cycling, horse-riding, golf and football, as well as four visitor centres and over 100 ponds and lakes.
The Coulsdon Commons, including Farthing Downs, Coulsdon Common, Riddlesdown and Kenley Common, cover a combined 275 hectares – roughly the size of 390 football pitches. They are protected from development by special legislation and play a crucial role in supporting rare species and habitats, many designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The Corporation manages these vital open spaces for both wildlife conservation and public access.
West Wickham Common and Spring Park form part of the Corporation’s ‘The West Wickham Commons’ and are legally protected green spaces rich in biodiversity. These woodlands and grasslands offer local people a peaceful retreat and important habitats for wildlife. Together with the Coulsdon Commons, they are part of the South London Downs National Nature Reserve.
Burnham Beeches is a 220-hectare ancient wood pasture in Buckinghamshire, owned and managed by the Corporation since 1880. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a National Nature Reserve, and a Special Area of Conservation, and welcomes over 500,000 visits annually. Nearby Stoke Common also supports rare heathland habitats, making these spaces nationally important for nature and open to all, year-round.
Ashtead Common is a 200-hectare National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest. Managed by the Corporation, it is home to over 1,000 veteran oak trees and supports rare invertebrates, fungi and breeding birds. It provides free public access and is a treasured natural space for walking, wildlife watching and community engagement.
Hampstead Heath is one of London’s most celebrated green spaces. It offers extensive sports and leisure facilities, including three bathing ponds, a Lido, newly refurbished Parliament Hill athletics track, and over a dozen pitches and courts. The Heath also supports thousands of students through its onsite education centre and remains freely open for millions of visitors to explore nature in the heart of the capital.
Highgate Wood is a 70-acre ancient woodland managed by the Corporation since 1886. A designated Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation, it offers a tranquil refuge for wildlife and people in the heart of North London. It has both cricket and football pitches and home to the most complete Roman pottery kiln to be found by archaeologists in Greater London The site has received a Green Flag Award every year since the scheme began in 1996.
Queen’s Park is a 30-acre Victorian park in the Queen’s Park Conservation Area, managed by the Corporation since 1887. It features landscaped gardens, sports courts and a strong local community presence. Like Highgate Wood, it has proudly won the Green Flag Award every year since the scheme was launched.
West Ham Park is the largest green space in Newham, attracting 2.2 million visits each year. It features wildflower meadows, long grass areas, ornamental gardens, a bandstand, and a newly upgraded children’s playground. The park also offers 12 tennis courts, cricket nets, football pitches, and a running track, and is managed by the Corporation to support both biodiversity and healthy, active communities.
The cemetery and Crematorium is one of Europe’s largest Cemeteries, opened in 1856 to elevate overcrowding in central London’s burial grounds. The 200-acre site is open 365 days of the year, performing over 3,500 cremation or burial services. The site contains 10 Grade II-listed structures and is a Grade I-listed landscape.
Bunhill Fields Burial Ground is a Grade I-listed landscape on the National Register of Parks. It is located in the London Borough of Islington and has been owned and maintained by the City Corporation since 1867. The 1.6-hectare site is the resting place for an estimated 123,000 bodies including William Blake, Daniel Defoe, John Bunyan and Susannah Wesley.
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