A Kenilworth wood has once again been recognised as one of the best managed green spaces in the country.

Crackley Wood has scalped yet another Green Flag Award, alongside five other spots in the district.

Awarded by Keep Britain Tidy, a record-breaking 2,227 parks across the UK have received the accolade this year in recognition of the high levels of management that go into maintaining them.

Elsewhere in the district the Royal Pump Room Gardens, Oakley Wood and Jephson Gardens have been given Green Flag Awards in the 28th year of the accolades.

Meanwhile Friends of Foundry Wood and Friends of Myton Pool Trust Limited have both received Green Flag Community Awards for their work looking after Foundry Wood and Myton Pool respectively.

Crackley Wood is maintained by Warwick District Council's green spaces team in partnership with the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and Friends of Oakley Wood and Crackley Wood.

To win an award a site must first apply and then and then show an in person inspector around the green space.

Commenting on the announcement of this year’s winners, Keep Britain Tidy chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, said: “Prioritising parks and green spaces is vital for our future, so we are delighted to see that 2,227 sites have met the standards required for a Green Flag Award, reflecting the tireless work of those tasked with looking after these important national assets. 

“We know beyond doubt that our local environment contributes to the wellbeing of individuals and communities, with our parks and green spaces recognised as areas where people can come together and be active. Research shows that time spent in green spaces can positively affect mental and physical health, quality of life and a sense of wellbeing.  

“We believe the standards expected in the Green Flag Award should be a minimum for every park, and it is our ambition that by 2030 we increase the number of sites achieving Green Flag Award status even further so that people across the world, wherever they live, can access and enjoy safe, high-quality green space.” 

(Header image by AJD via geograph.org.uk)