Chiswick House & Gardens Retains Green Flag Award |
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Judges recognised the close co-operation between staff and volunteers
July 21, 2026 Chiswick House & Gardens is celebrating once again after retaining its Green Flag Award, the national benchmark recognising the UK’s best‑managed parks and green spaces. The accolade confirms the historic gardens remain among the country’s most welcoming, well‑maintained and sustainably managed public landscapes. The gardens were first given Green Flag status in 2019. The Green Flag Award — now in its 30th year — honours parks that meet the highest standards of horticulture, environmental management and visitor experience. Chiswick House & Gardens is one of a record‑breaking 2,391 sites across the UK to achieve the award in 2026. The Trust’s small team of professional horticulturists works closely with volunteers and community partners to care for the site — a commitment recognised by the Green Flag judges. As Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, noted, “Chiswick House & Gardens Trust has shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed… We want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard.” Rosie Fyles, Head of Gardens at Chiswick House & Gardens Trust, said the award reflects both the team’s dedication and the gardens’ importance to local people: “We’re delighted to retain our Green Flag Award, recognising both the hard work that goes into maintaining this place – keeping it beautiful – and the importance it holds for our local community. Our Gardens are for everyone.” The Grade I listed gardens, covering 65 acres, have long been celebrated as the birthplace of the English Landscape movement. Alongside the 18th‑century Palladian villa, the grounds include the 17th‑century walled Kitchen Garden and what is often described as the first English rose garden. Open to the public since 1929 and free to enter every day of the year, the gardens are run by Chiswick House & Gardens Trust on behalf of Hounslow Council. She added that 2026 is a landmark year for the site, with three new spaces opening in the Kitchen Garden, expanding opportunities for schools, community groups and volunteers. Home to more than 1,600 trees, abundant wildlife and a thriving community‑run Kitchen Garden, Chiswick House & Gardens remains a vital green space for residents and visitors. As a charity, the Trust is 75 per cent visitor and supporter funded, relying on local generosity to keep the gardens flourishing for future generations. The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by Keep Britain Tidy in partnership with national environmental organisations across the UK. Awards are granted annually, and sites must reapply each year to retain their status.
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