Five fantastic beauty spots keep flying the flag for the city

Five fabulous city beauty spots have been recognised for another year as some of the very best green spaces in the world.

West Park, East Park and Bantock Park have retained their Green Flag Awards for the fifth year in a row, Pendeford Mill Nature Reserve kept its flag for a fourth year and Phoenix Park, which was awarded with a flag last year, has also retained the accolade.

The five award winning beauty spots are among a record-breaking 2,208 UK parks and green spaces that have this year received a prestigious Green Flag Award – the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

As part of the judging, a panel visited Bantock Park and spoke with gardening volunteers of the Friends of Bantock House Museum and Park, known as the Bantock Users Group (BUG).

Councillor Steve Evans, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for city environment and climate change, said: “We are absolutely delighted that five of our beautiful parks and green spaces continue to be recognised by the Green Flag Award scheme.

“We are really proud of all our parks in Wolverhampton, they are well loved by our residents and attract many visitors to the city. The Green Flag Awards are a wonderful recognition of the hard work that officers, volunteers and Friends groups put in to making our popular parks and nature reserve, award-winning beauty spots in the city.

“This weekend East Park was the location for the dramatic parachute drop to mark the start of the Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay. And of course, the eyes of the world will be on West Park on August 4 as we host the Commonwealth Games cycling Time Trial. What amazing green spaces we have to help the city mark this historic occasion.”

Keep Britain Tidy’s Accreditation Manager, Paul Todd, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in making five of Wolverhampton’s parks and green spaces worthy of a Green Flag Award.

“This award is testament to all the hard work of staff and volunteers, who do so much to ensure that it maintains the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

West Park is around 45 acres, includes a beautiful lake and a stunning 
landscaped green space within a 10-minute walk of Wolverhampton city centre. The park is considered to be one of the best, unspoilt examples of a Victorian park left in England and is Wolverhampton's premier open space.

East Park, situated off Hickman Avenue is also around 45 acres in size and is popular with local residents due to children’s play areas, the cycle speedway track, play area, multi games courts, and football pitches. It is also soon to receive considerable investment in its provision for young people.

Bantock Park is around 40 acres, comprised mostly of open space, which still retains its 'rural' character, with a variety of trees, including an edible hedgerow planted by members of BUG, a nature trail and is home of the iconic Bantock House. Bantock Park also has a play area, football pitches, a pitch and putt course and visitors’ café.

Pendeford Mill Nature Reserve is a site of valuable environmental and historical significance. The site covers almost 60 acres of naturally managed countryside and dates back to the 13th century. It provides a stable and protected habitat for wildlife on the fringe of an urban area. 

Phoenix Park offers visitors outdoor fitness equipment, walking paths and wildlife interpretation panels, a sensory garden, wildflower meadow, a children’s play area, seated amphitheatre, woodland area and a BMX track. There is also a lavender maze, two ball courts, shelters and a woodland area.