Severn Valley Country Park recognised as one of the UK’s best green spaces

Severn Valley Country Park in Shropshire has been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as one of the very best in the world.

The Country Park, which is managed by Shropshire Council, joins The Mere in Ellesmere in being awarded recognition in being some of the best green spaces in Shropshire.

The Country Park is among a record-breaking 1,970 UK parks and green spaces and 131 in thirteen other countries around the world, that have received a prestigious Green Flag Award in 2019 – the mark of a quality park or green space.

This international award, now into its third decade, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

Severn Valley Country Park is the perfect day out for all the family. Set in the peaceful, scenic valley of the River Severn, the park provides 126 acres of beautiful countryside and wonderful views which spans both sides of the longest river in the country, the River Severn.

Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for culture and leisure, said:

“We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors so I’m delighted that Severn Valley Country Park has received the Green Flag Award.

“The Park has been recognised numerous times with this award as one of the best in the world. It is a testament to the amazing work of staff and volunteers who make Severn Valley Country Park a wonderful visitor destination and habitat for wildlife and plants along with preserving the rich heritage of the Severn Valley, Alveley and Highley area.”

Stanmore Country Park has also been recognised with the Green Flag Community Award following a successful application by the Friends group who are made up of committed and invaluable volunteers.

Andy Howard, Chair of the Friends of Stanmore Country Park, said:

“We are over the moon to get this award, which reflects the hard work of the volunteers and the park rangers.”

The Green Flag Community Award recognises the high quality green spaces in the UK managed by volunteer and community groups.

Lezley Picton, said:

“I’d like to pass my congratulations to the Friends of Stanmore Country Park group for achieving this award. The group commit their own time and do an incredible job in preserving this beautiful Country Park – which once upon a time was an RAF base – for residents and visitors to enjoy.”

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “It’s fantastic that we have more Green Flag Awards in the UK than ever before, joined this year by 131 International winners.”

“Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. We congratulate each and every winner on their fantastic achievement.”

For more information about Severn Valley Country Park, click here.

For more information about Stanmore Country Park, click here.

Further Information

The Green Flag Awards Scheme (http://greenflagaward.org/) is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

Keep Britain Tidy is a leading environmental charity. We run programmes including Eco-Schools, the Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces and the Blue Flag/ Seaside Awards for beaches. We also campaign for the country to be litter free and waste less. To find out more about Keep Britain Tidy, our programmes and campaigns visit www.keepbritaintidy.org.

Any green space that is freely accessible to the public is eligible to enter for a Green Flag Award.  Awards are given on an annual basis and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag Award status.  A Green Flag Community Award recognises quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups. Green Heritage Site Accreditation is judged on the treatment of the site’s historic features and the standard of conservation.