Severn Valley Country Park, managed by Shropshire Council, has maintained its place amongst the top parks in the UK for a record-breaking 13th consecutive year.

The park has once again been awarded the Green Flag Award. The national award, handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to visitors that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

The Green Flag Awards are judged by an army of more than 700 green-space experts, who volunteer their time to visit applicant sites and assess them against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.

Severn Valley Country Park boasts a teashop and visitor centre, natural play area,
way-marked walking and cycling routes and an orienteering trail. Staff work hard to put on events and this summer has seen monthly guided walks, a visit from a touring theatre company and a range of children’s events. An active and growing volunteer group help to maintain the park. They have applied for funding to restore the wetland area and improve access to the wetland for visitors and school groups.

Councillor Stuart West, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture said, “This Award recognises and highlights the fact that people in Shropshire are benefitting from a green space of the very highest quality. I would urge as many people as possible to take advantage of such a local asset, both for its natural beauty and for the benefits to individual health.”

Councillor Tina Woodward (Local Councillor for Alveley and Claverley) said, “I am delighted that Severn Valley Country Park has been awarded the Green Flag again this year. It is a real credit to the small Team of Shropshire Council staff and volunteers who dedicate a lot of their time in maintaining and improving the site, year on year."

Councillor Dave Tremellen (Local Councillor for Highley) said, “The heritage and natural beauty of this part of Shropshire is a big draw for tourists as well as being a fantastic asset for local people. Severn Valley Country Park is a wonderful gateway into this wider landscape and deserves national recognition through the Green Flag Award Scheme.”

The Green Flag Awards Scheme is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Department of Communities and Local Government, in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens and the National Housing Federation.