RBC celebrates Green Flag Award success at four parks
Last updated: 15/7/2026
Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) is proud to announce that four of its parks and green spaces have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award, recognising their high environmental standards, excellent visitor facilities and outstanding management.
Bridgford Park in West Bridgford has received the accolade for the first time, while Rushcliffe Country Park in Ruddington celebrates its 20th Green Flag Award. Sharphill Wood in Edwalton has secured the award for the fourth consecutive year, and The Hook Nature Reserve in Lady Bay has received its third award.
The four parks are among 2,391 parks and green spaces across the UK to achieve the prestigious accreditation, which is regarded as the international benchmark for the quality management of recreational outdoor spaces. The award comes as the Green Flag Award scheme celebrates its 30th anniversary.
All four parks are owned and managed by RBC, with support from the local Friends volunteer groups.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing, ICT and Member Development Cllr Jonathan Wheeler said: “We’re thrilled to be celebrating four Green Flag Award successes across the borough. From a first award for Bridgford Park to a remarkable 20th award for Rushcliffe Country Park, these achievements are a credit to the hard work and commitment of our officers, Streetwise staff and dedicated Friends groups.
“Our parks and green spaces are at the heart of our communities, providing places for people to exercise, relax and connect with nature. We are incredibly proud of the high standards they consistently achieve, and this recognition highlights the important role they play in making Rushcliffe a great place to live, work and visit.”
Bridgford Park in West Bridgford
Owned and managed by RBC, with support from the Friends of Bridgford Park, the park has become a much-loved destination for residents and visitors alike, offering a blend of heritage, recreation, biodiversity and community engagement.
Bridgford Park features a wide range of facilities, including two play areas for different age groups, a Multi-Use Games Area, bookable tennis courts, a café, historic formal gardens and a recently upgraded tree trail. The Council’s Streetwise team help to keep the park tidy and clean.
Rushcliffe Country Park, Ruddington
RBC owns and manages the popular park with the support of its park rangers, Streetwise, and the Friends of Rushcliffe Country Park who help protect habitats, focus on conservation work and improve the park and its facilities.
The green space has been recognised for its diverse range of habitats for wildlife including woodlands, grasslands, a lake with a reed bed, wildflower meadows and more. It’s also home to a variety of birds and at quieter times of the day badgers, foxes, hares and muntjac deer have occasionally been spotted.
The park also boasts a network of over eight kilometres of footpaths and a dog agility course and is home to the Rushcliffe parkrun and Rushcliffe junior parkrun attracting hundreds of friends and families each weekend.
Sharphill Wood, Edwalton
The 10-hectare woodland is designated as a nature reserve in 2010, Sharphill Wood is managed in partnership between RBC, the Friends of Sharphill Wood and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. The Council’s Streetwise team also help to maintain the woodland area
The mixed broadleaf woodland features mature ash, beech, English oak and lime trees, providing a rich habitat for a wide range of wildlife.
The Hook Nature Reserve, Lady Bay
The 15-hectare site became a nature reserve in 2009 and is managed in partnership with RBC, Friends of The Hook and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. The Council’s Streetwise team also help to maintain the green space.
The reserve features a rich variety of habitats, including amenity grassland, river embankments, mature hedgerows, ditches and scrubland, supporting a diverse range of wildlife. It is home to an abundance of flora and fauna, including numerous species of moths and butterflies.
