The Hook Nature Reserve receives its second Green Flag Award!
Last updated: 31/7/2025
The Hook Nature Reserve in Lady Bay has been awarded its second coveted Green Flag Award, celebrating the site as one of the UK’s best green spaces.
The 15-hectare nature reserve has been named among 2,250 other parks and green places across the UK that have received the award, which sets the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the UK and around the world.
The site became a nature reserve in 2009 and is managed in partnership with Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC), Friends of The Hook (FroTH) and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. RBC’s ground maintenance and street cleansing team Streetwise also help to maintain the green space.
It consists of a mixture of habitats including amenity grassland, river embankment, mature hedgerows, grassland, ditches and scrub and is home to a variety of flora and fauna including moths and butterflies.
The green space provides a valuable habitat for invertebrates, small mammals such as water voles and nearly 90 species of birds have been recorded over the years, including the purple heron and white egret.
RBC's Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing, ICT and Member Development Cllr Jonathan Wheeler recently joined members of FroTH and Council officers to raise the prestigious flag.
Cllr Wheeler said: “Building on last year’s achievement, we’re delighted to announce that The Hook has received its second consecutive Green Flag Award and is recognised as one of the leading green spaces in the UK!
“The Hook is a much-loved spot where residents and visitors can enjoy a scenic walk in nature, and make the most of its fantastic facilities, including a playground, skatepark and multi-use games area.
“It’s a haven for biodiversity and boasts a wildlife pond, butterfly bank and community orchard as part of the ongoing development of the site.
“Receiving this award acknowledges all the hard work that goes into maintaining this space. Thank you to the Friends of The Hook volunteer group, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, our staff and Streetwise for their excellent work in protecting and conserving the site.”
FroTH Chair Jeffrey Mackintosh said: “We’ve received our second prestigious Green Flag Award for providing a green space that is good for the community and the environment.
This nature reserve hosts many different types of flora and fauna. It’s also a fantastic place for butterfly conservation and our Vice-Chair David co-ordinates a butterfly survey every week as part of the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme – one week 300 butterflies were counted!
“The habitats here have shown great improvements, and our volunteers continue to work hard to protect this reserve for all to enjoy.”
The Green Flag Award is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities, supported by Streetwise.
The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
