**Wales Leads the World with Record-Breaking Green Flag Awards for Parks and Green Spaces**
Wales has been recognised as a global leader in green spaces, having achieved an unprecedented number of the prestigious Green Flag Awards, marking a significant milestone in community and environmental engagement across the country. In the latest round of accolades, a total of 315 separate parks, gardens, allotments and open spaces, ranging from university campuses to woodland projects and cemeteries, have received either a Full Green Flag Award or a Green Flag Community Award.
The Green Flag Award, managed in Wales by the environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy, recognises the highest standards of maintenance, sustainability and community involvement in green spaces. This year, 92 sites secured a Full Green Flag Award, with a further 223 receiving the Community Award, enhancing Wales’ reputation for championing outdoor spaces accessible to everyone. Remarkably, 35 locations across Wales are newly named as Green Flag Award winners, setting a new record for the nation and further boosting local pride.
Among the standout sites newly honoured for 2025/26 are Llandegfedd Lake in Monmouthshire, Bronllys Hospital in Powys, Tredegar Park Sports and Recreation Ground in Newport, and Cardiff’s own Llandaff Fields. An impressive achievement, Cardiff leads all local authorities with 46 winning sites, trailed by Caerphilly with 26, and Swansea in third with 22 awards.
The sheer range of awarded sites speaks to the diversity of Wales’ landscape and communities. University campuses, such as Aberystwyth and Swansea University’s Singleton Park, feature alongside tranquil woodland reserves, vibrant allotments, and historic cemeteries. These spaces not only enhance biodiversity and encourage outdoor recreation, but also serve as focal points for local civic engagement and social well-being.
Huw Irranca-Davies, the Deputy First Minister responsible for Climate Change, emphasised the wider significance of the Green Flag scheme in a statement: “I am very proud that Wales continues to lead the world in community-awarded green flag sites. Our local green spaces are crucial—connecting us to nature, supporting wildlife, and offering opportunities for healthy outdoor activity. It is heartening to see communities not just using these spaces, but actively caring for and improving them.”
The standards for achieving Green Flag status are rigorous, ensuring that only the best cared-for and most welcoming green spaces can display the award. The process requires evidence of environmental management, safety, community value, and sustainability. This growing network of award-winning sites now represents both urban and rural Wales, shining a light on best practice that can serve as inspiration for similar initiatives beyond its borders.
Local authorities, voluntary groups, and individuals have all played a critical role in maintaining and improving these environments, often working together to ensure the highest standards. In Cardiff, well-known sites such as Bute Park and Roath Park retain their Green Flag status, while new names like Parc Cefn Onn and Llandaff Fields demonstrate ongoing investment in public spaces. Community-driven projects, from market gardens in Caerau to sensory gardens and churchyards, are similarly celebrated for their contribution.
News of the latest awards has been warmly received by groups across Wales, who see the recognition as a reflection of years of continuous effort. Many also reported that since the pandemic, public appreciation for green spaces has surged, further motivating caretakers and volunteers.
As environmental consciousness and community action become ever more essential to future wellbeing, Wales’ commitment to exemplary green spaces sets a high bar internationally. The full list of awarded sites spans every county, including both long-established parks and newly developed gardens, signalling that the green space movement is alive and thriving.
For communities, the Green Flag is not simply a trophy, but a powerful message that places value on natural beauty, health, and shared public life. With this record-breaking year, Wales has further cemented its place as a pioneer in green space achievement, setting an example for others to follow.