Flying the Flag for Southampton: 11 Parks Awarded 2025 Green Flag Status
Southampton is celebrating a major achievement in environmental excellence, with 11 of its parks and green spaces awarded the prestigious Green Flag status for 2025. The accolade, recognised as the international benchmark for high-quality parks, honours spaces that are well-managed, safe, clean, and inclusive for the community.
The Green Flag Awards are handed out annually by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy and aim to raise standards in parks and green spaces across the UK and beyond. This year’s awards once again highlight Southampton’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, biodiversity, and community wellbeing.
Awarded Parks in Southampton 2025:
• Cedar Lodge Park
• Freemantle Lake Park
• Mansel Park
• Mayfield Park
• Millers Pond
• Peartree Common Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
• Portswood Recreation Ground
• Riverside Park
• Southampton’s Central Parks
• St James’ Park
• Town Quay Park
Councillor John Savage, Cabinet Member for Green City and Net Zero, welcomed the news:
“We are thrilled to again receive this recognition for our parks. These awards reflect the hard work and dedication of both our own teams, who maintain these vital green spaces, and the Friends groups who volunteer and raise funds for the parks.
“Our parks are central to community wellbeing, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship, and these accolades inspire us to continue enhancing our natural assets. In our recent City Survey, 75% of participants told us that our green spaces were their favourite part about Southampton, so this is a huge achievement and something that we will continue to take immense pride in.”
Southampton City Council has placed green spaces at the heart of its urban development strategy, ensuring that parks are not only accessible and safe but also support healthy lifestyles and resilient ecosystems. The council continues to work closely with local residents, Friends groups, and environmental organisations to maintain and improve public spaces.
The Green Flag Awards come at a time when more residents are using parks for recreation, relaxation, and connecting with nature. With a growing emphasis on climate action and community wellbeing, these green spaces are more vital than ever.
As Southampton continues to invest in its outdoor spaces, these awards reaffirm the city’s status as a leader in urban green space management — and a greener, more welcoming city for all.