The Green Flag Award is an internationally recognised accreditation for parks and green spaces, signifying that the gardens rank among the finest in the country. The acknowledgement is testament to the talent and enthusiastic commitment of the University of Bristol’s Gardens and Grounds teams and the volunteers who help with garden projects.
Horticultural team members Tom Stevens and Josh Perry recently attended the Green Flag Award Ceremony in Bath, where they accepted the award.
Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at the Royal Fort Gardens on achieving a Green Flag Award.
“The Royal Fort Gardens are a vital green space for communities in Bristol to socialise, enjoy nature, and for children to play safely. They provide important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.
“We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award; everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.
“It is important that our free-to-use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”
Royal Fort Gardens, located in the heart of the University of Bristol’s main campus, were originally landscaped by the renowned 18th-century ‘English Landscape’ designer Humphrey Repton.
The views of Bristol Docks have long gone, but the original garden still retains a wide rolling feel and many quiet and secluded garden areas. The park contains many fine trees, several of which are labelled with QR codes which lead to an online tree map.
The gardens also host several notable artworks, including Follow Me by Jeppe Hein, the immersive Hollow by Katie Paterson, and a sculpture of Henrietta Lacks by Helen Wilson-Roe. The latter is the first permanent statue of a Black woman in a UK public space.
This continued recognition highlights the University’s commitment to preserving green spaces and fostering community wellbeing. The Royal Fort Gardens remain a cherished part of Bristol’s landscape, welcoming students, staff, and visitors alike to enjoy its beauty and tranquillity.