The people have spoken – and voted for their 10 favourite parks

In 2020, more people than ever have come to see the benefits of visiting our parks and green spaces they have been at the heart of our lives.

For millions of us, they have been a lifeline; a place to meet friends and family safely and to escape for some much-needed peace and quiet. Many have also discovered the added benefits of exercising outdoors. 

More people have come to love and value our parks in a way that they never have before so it is perhaps not surprising that tens of thousands of people took part in the vote to find the country’s ten best Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces.

The Green Flag Award scheme is the international quality standard for parks and green spaces, and this year a record-breaking 2,061 achieved the award.

During November, the public were invited to vote for their favourite park and more than 59,000 did just that.

Included in this year’s list of winners for the second year running is Hollycroft Park in Hinckley. 

The People’s Choice 10 most popular parks and green space are:

• Cassiobury Park, Watford
• Hollycroft Park, Hinckley
• Margam Park, Port Talbot
• Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London
• Strathaven Park, South Lanarkshire
• Telford Town Park, Telford
• University of Essex Wivenhoe Park, Colchester
• Valentines Park, Ilford
• Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets
• Warley Woods, Smethwick

Commenting on the result, International Green Flag Award manager Paul Todd said:

I would like to congratulate our ten worthy winners and thank all the thousands of parks staff and volunteers across the country who have gone the extra mile this year to ensure our country’s parks and green spaces remain such fantastic places to escape to and enjoy.

We know how important quality parks are to people of all ages in every corner of the UK and so, for these parks, this public recognition of just how much they are loved and valued is a real achievement.

Leader of Hinckley & Bosworth Council Councillor Stuart Bray said:

Fantastic news, thank you to everyone who has voted for Hollycroft Park. To be recognised as one of the top ten favourite parks in the country rightly recognises the amazing contribution of our staff, the Friends of Hollycroft Park and all our volunteers and the visitors who make this park such a great place to visit at the heart of our community.

To be awarded a People’s Choice Award for the second year running is a great accolade. It highlights how important Hollycroft Park is to the local community.