The Green Flag Award is ‘the international mark of quality’ for parks and green spaces, recognising excellence in management, sustainability and visitor experience.
As the Award celebrates its 30th anniversary, the Gardens, at the heart of the University’s Clifton Campus, marks a milestone of its own, having held the internationally recognised accreditation for 10 consecutive years – a third of the award's history.
The accolade celebrates the dedication, expertise and year-round commitment of the University's Gardens and Grounds team, whose work supports biodiversity while creating a welcoming environment for students, staff and visitors.
Representing the University, three members of the Gardens and Grounds team - Simone Jacobs, Owen Williams and Josh Perry - attended the Green Flag Award ceremony in London to collect award.
Kevin Stuckey, Arboricultural and Horticultural Manager at the University, said: “We are delighted and very proud to have received a Green Flag award. This is the tenth consecutive year we’ve received the award for the Royal Fort Garden, which couldn’t have been achieved without the dedicated and passionate hard work of the gardens team, the support from the University and the enthusiasm of our student volunteers.
"The Green Flag has been more than an award; it has contributed to the garden being better known to the wider Bristol community, allowing it to be enjoyed and appreciated by our students, staff and the public, to the great satisfaction of the garden team.”
Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, commented: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life. The University of Bristol Estates Team [referring to Gardens and Grounds team] have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Designed by renowned landscape designer, Humphry Repton, Royal Fort Gardens is a historic green space.
The Gardens features several notable artworks, including Follow Me by Jeppe Hein, the immersive Hollow by Katie Paterson, and Helen Wilson-Roe's sculpture of Henrietta Lacks, the first permanent statue of a Black woman in a UK public space.
The historic landscape also serves as a living classroom, supporting teaching, research and student projects across a range of disciplines. From ecology and biodiversity studies to engineering and sustainability initiatives, students use the gardens to gain hands-on experience and explore ideas beyond the classroom.
Open to all, the gardens regularly host activities and cultural events, including Bristol Light Festival, reflecting their role as a shared space for the University and the wider city.