The Hook Nature Reserve receives its third Green Flag Award!
Last updated: 17/7/2026
The Hook Nature Reserve in Lady Bay has been awarded its third 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 2,391 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.
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.
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.
Members of FroTH carry out regular bird and butterfly surveys, with 52 bird species recorded during May and June this year, including a meadow pipit and a Great Black-backed Gull. Butterfly numbers have also continued to increase, with sightings of the Painted Lady, a migratory species native to North Africa.
The green space provides an important habitat for invertebrates and small mammals, including water voles.
Alongside its ecological value, The Hook also offers a range of popular recreational facilities, including a children's play area, skatepark and multi-use games area.
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: “We are delighted that The Hook has received its third consecutive Green Flag Award and continues to be recognised as one of the country's leading green spaces.
“The Hook is a much-loved destination where residents and visitors can enjoy nature, take a scenic walk and make the most of its excellent facilities, including a playground, skatepark and multi-use games area.
“It is also a haven for wildlife, with features such as a wildlife pond, butterfly bank and community orchard helping to enhance biodiversity across the site. These habitats have continued to thrive thanks to the ongoing care and development of the reserve.
“This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in managing and maintaining The Hook. Thank you to all our partners and volunteers for their continued commitment to protecting and improving this wonderful green space for future generations.”
FroTH Chair Jeffrey Mackintosh said: “Friends of the Hook are proud and delighted to receive the 3rd Green Flag Award.
“This reflects the hard work that our committee and team of volunteers, have dedicated to improving the biodiversity of the Hook due to careful habitat management. This would not have been possible without the support of Rushcliffe Borough Council and the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trusts.
“This is the second accolade this year, the first being the successful application and awarding of “The Wilder Nottinghamshire Award” by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trusts.
“We have continued our Bird and butterfly surveys to help establish evidence of habitat improvement and discovered 110 bird species since surveys began. Our weekly butterfly surveys have also continued to show an increase in numbers.
“Our Friends group will be helping the Nottinghamshire Bat Group, to carry out a bat survey on the Hook on the evening of July 24.
“Green spaces are essential for human well-being, as a Friends group, we will continue our careful habitat management of the Hook, to improve the flora and fauna and to provide a wild green space for residents from both sides of the river.”
If you would like to volunteer and join the FroTH group, please email friendsofthehook@gmail.com.
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.
The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under contract from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.
To find out more visit The Friends of the Hook website.