Green Flag Awards For Seven Of Guildford’s Open Spaces

Published on: 29 Jul, 2015
Updated on: 2 Aug, 2015

Seven green spaces across the borough of Guildford are among the best in the UK.

Green Flags were again awarded to Allen House Grounds, the Castle Grounds, Riverside Nature Reserve, Stoke Park and Sutherland Memorial Park.

Summer bedding in Guildford Castle Grounds.

Summer bedding in Guildford’s Castle Grounds. Picture: The Guildford Dragon NEWS.

Guildford Crematorium and Stoke Cemetery were also recognised for their well-kept grounds by Keep Britain Tidy.

Boardwalk at the Riverside Nature Reserve, between Stoke and Burpham. Picture: Jim Allen.

The award is a national scheme run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. It assesses parks and green spaces according to eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.

Locations across the country are judged by more than 700 green space experts, who volunteer their time to assess which parks are worthy of the Green Flag.

Spring bedding in the Castle Grounds. Picture: The Guildford Dragon NEWS.

Cllr Richard Billington, lead councillor for rural economy, countryside, parks and leisure, said: “We are very proud to receive these awards again this year, which reflect the hard work of our parks team. They do a fantastic job all year round to keep our parks and green spaces looking great for everyone to enjoy.

“The best recognition is of course the appreciation of the public and we encourage local people to go to the parks and enjoy them, particularly during the summer holidays.”

Click here for more details on GBC’s parks and green spaces.

More images below.

The Castle Grounds this spring. Picture: The Guildford Dragon NEWS.

One of the benches at the Riverside Nature Park. Picture: Jim Allen.

One of the decorative benches at the Riverside Nature Reserve. Picture: Jim Allen.

Carpet bedding in the Castle Grounds for 2015, celebrating Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Picture: The Guildford Dragon NEWS.

Responses to Green Flag Awards For Seven Of Guildford’s Open Spaces

Jim Allen Reply

July 31, 2015 at 12:20 am

I think we should all thank GBC’s parks department for doing what needs to be done to ensure such quality.
Louise Elmes Reply

August 17, 2015 at 8:39 pm

Can you help us remember the name of an open space in Guildford that is waking distance from the town centre and has an amazing view?

There is a monument there with a plaque that explains that this was “given to the people of Guildford” (by a brewery I think) “to be preserved as an open space for ever”.

David Rose responds: It is Pewley Down. It was a gift by Guildford’s Friary Brewery in 1920 to be an open space for all, in ‘thankfulness of the conclusion of the Great War’.

The then proprietor of the brewery, Charles Hoskins Master, bought Pewley Down as a site near the town centre for people to enjoy for ever.

See my story: https://guildford-dragon.com/2013/08/12/opinion-come-friendly-hurricane-and-blow-over-pewley-down/
Louise Elmes Reply

August 18, 2015 at 12:15 am

Aah, that’s it. Thank you for responding.

What delight it has been to read about the space where mother and I used to walk and to see your photographs of the views that revived her in the evenings after lonely days indoors.

Lovely to also to read the comments that added more about this wonderful area where I was born. What a privilege to have had a childhood in such a glorious part of the world.

I do hope trees and the views can both be honoured. It just takes care, discernment and enough attention. Nature so deserves this.

I remember one year, 2002 I think, we walked at Pewley Down and a lady was handing out flyers about the cell phone companies trying to erect towers right there on the hilltop.

The flyer explained what this really meant: an access road, big repair lorries etc. and we wrote letters asking that this not be allowed. I’ve not be back since mum moved away that year but I do hope the letters worked. The efforts of we the public are so vital to nature.

Are people better now about their doggy poo?

I remember our walks with deep fondness and hope to be back.