Pittville Park named as one of the best in Britain

Cheltenham’s Pittville Park is one of the very best in the UK and the first in the county to win the prestigious Green Heritage Site accreditation – and that’s official.

The Green Heritage Award recognises that a park has local or national historic importance and that it’s reached a condition of very high standard. To receive this accreditation, sites must first achieve a Green Flag Award which Pittville Park has been awarded at the same time. In addition, Hatherley Park, Naunton Park, Montpellier Gardens and Springfield Park also retained their Green Flag Awards.

Janice Peacey, community ranger for Cheltenham Borough Council, says: “We’re delighted to win this award for Pittville Park – it helps show that it really is a park with something for everyone.”

Judges look at set criteria including how far the applicants understand, acknowledge and share the heritage value of the site; and also how applicants conserve, enhance and help people enjoy the heritage value of the site.

The judges were particular impressed with the friends’ group and the research they had undertaken to have fantastic knowledge of Pittville history.

Chris Archibald, a trustee of Friends of Pittville, continues, saying: “Congratulations to Cheltenham Borough Council on obtaining the Green Flag and Green Heritage Site Accreditation awards and thanks to the green space team for all their hard work, particularly our park ranger Janice Peacey.

“Cheltenham is very lucky to have such an historic and attractive park. The council have a ten year plan to make further improvements and to continue the high standards of maintenance and we look forward to helping with this and continuing our great working partnership.”

Cllr Chris Coleman, cabinet member for clean and green environment, adds: “We’re very proud to have achieved these awards for Pittville Park and be the first in the county to hold a Green Heritage Award.

“Pittville Park is very special and we’re lucky to have such dedicated staff, friends and volunteer groups helping us to take care of it.”

For media enquiries, contact: Jemima Lawson, communications officer, telephone 01242 775050, email [email protected]

Notes: Read the full criteria for the Green Heritage Site Accreditation. Parks do not have to be on the Historic England Register but must be at least 30 years old. The accreditation is sponsored by Historic England.

View current Green Heritage Site winners.

Cheltenham also has four other parks with Green Flag status. These are Hatherley Park, Naunton Park, Montpellier Gardens and Springfield Park.

Opened in 1825, Pittville Park is the largest ornamental park in Cheltenham and features the magnificent Pump Room and lakes. This park is given a grade II listing under the English Heritage register of historic parks and gardens, with the pump room as a grade I historic building.

Pittville Park is divided in two by Evesham Road. Most people are familiar with the eastern side of the park, which is overlooked by Pittville Pump Room, and home to the newly refurbished children's play area and the aviaries. However, to the west of Evesham Road lies the much larger western park with its more natural layout and small areas of woodland. Here you will find the larger 'lower lake' where you can fish during the fishing season, and there is a smaller children's play area along with tennis courts, a pitch and putt golf course and a skate park.

Toilets can be found in the eastern park between the lake and Evesham Road, and you can buy refreshments at Central Cross Cafe which is in the southern section alongside Central Cross Drive.