Hampstead Heath has been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award, recognising it as one of the best managed open spaces in the world.
The Heath is protected by the Corporation, which manages the site as a registered charity, and is a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation.
It comes as Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park have also been awarded the accolade, with all three sites receiving Green Heritage Award status in recognition of their historic features and high standard of conservation. [See full list in notes to editors].
Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park have won the Green Flag Award every year since the scheme was launched 28 years ago.
Chair of the City Corporation’s Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, and Queen’s Park Committee, William Upton KC, said:
“It is great to see that the work of our staff and volunteers has again been acknowledged by these national awards.
“The Heath and the Parks are a vitally important part of London’s green infrastructure. They contribute so much to people’s wellbeing, and are home to some rare and wonderful wildlife.”
The Heath forms part of a network of 11,000 acres of open space, owned and protected by the City Corporation across London and southeast England.
It provides access to a number of facilities for physical activity and recreation, including the newly refurbished Parliament Hill athletics track, which hosts elite UK running events such as the Women’s and Men’s UK 10,000m Championships, and the trials for the 10,000m World Championships, and European Cup.
There are extensive children’s play facilities, rugby, football and cricket pitches, tennis courts, a bowling green, a croquet lawn, all-weather table tennis tables, a Lido, three bathing ponds, paddling pools, and an education centre which reaches almost 8,000 students per year.
The City Corporation’s commitment to protecting green spaces dates back to the 1870s in response to the rapid disappearance of many public open areas – often to private developers – to safeguard these vital sites.
Queen’s Park is a 30 acre park within the Queen’s Park Conservation Area and has been managed by the City Corporation since 1887.
Highgate Wood is a 70 acre area of ancient woodland and has been managed by the City Corporation since 1886.
A recent report revealed that Hampstead Heath is worth £51.2 million every year in benefits to society, with a benefit-to-cost ratio of 8.4, which means that every £1 spent on maintenance delivers £8.40 of these types of public benefits.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK – .
The Green Flag Award® scheme is run by the environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy, and sets the benchmark for the management of outdoor spaces across the UK and around the world – www.keepbritaintidy.org/green-flag-award.
Full list of Corporation Green Flag Award Winners:
- Hampstead Heath
- Highgate Wood
- Queen’s Park
- Ashtead Common
- Bunhill Fields
- Burnham Beeches National Nature Reserve
- Cemetery and Crematorium
- Coulsdon Common
- Epping Forest
- Farthing Downs & New Hill
- Kenley Common
- Riddlesdown
- Spring Park
- West Ham Park
- West Wickham Common
Full list of Corporation Green Heritage Site Accreditations:
- Hampstead Heath
- Highgate Wood
- Queen’s Park
- Ashtead Common
- Bunhill Fields
- Burnham Beeches National Nature Reserve
- Cemetery and Crematorium
- Coulsdon Common
- Epping Forest
- Farthing Downs & New Hill
- Kenley Common
- Riddlesdown
- West Wickham Common
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