Wyming Brook nature reserve officially recognised as one of the country’s best green spaces as it achieves coveted Green Flag

Staff and volunteers at Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust are celebrating after Wyming Brook nature reserve retained its Green Flag Award; the 11th time it has achieved the accolade.

 Located on the western edge of Sheffield, Wyming Brook’s tumbling streams, mossy crags and sweet-smelling pines sees thousands of South Yorkshire residents and tourists visit this beautiful, free space to explore nature and boost their physical and mental health.

The Green Flag Award serves as the international quality mark for parks and green spaces across the UK and around the world. Earning this accreditation for an 11th year highlights the dedicated care needed to keep Wyming Brook safe, clean and welcoming for wildlife and visitors alike.

Mark Anderson, Senior Nature Recovery Manager for Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, said:

“The news that Wyming Brook nature reserve has achieved the accreditation – the international quality mark for parks and green spaces – for the 11th time is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team and volunteers who care for the green space so that visitors and residents alike can enjoy it.”

It comes as the internationally recognised standard for parks and green spaces celebrates its 30^th year.

Wyming Brook is one of a record-breaking 2,391 in the UK to achieve the award this year – a fantastic testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of the team who care for this green space, ensuring it is maintained to a high standard for visitors and residents to enjoy.

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don’t feel safe or welcoming. 

“With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life. 

Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like this that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard. 

“Congratulations to everyone involved.”

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.