Two Dover parks named best in Britain

Top Parks in Dover – Kearsney Abbey :::

Dover District Council is celebrating the prestigious Green Flag Award for Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens, which they have received for the fourth year running.

Kearsney Abbey

The Green Flag accreditation is an international quality mark for parks and green spaces and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that cares for the parks.

Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens have met the quality standard every year since the completion of a £3.1m ‘Parks for People’ project in 2021 with the National Lottery Heritage and Community Funds. Part of the project included the major restoration of the Grade II-listed Billiards Room at Kearsney Abbey, which hosted its first weddings this summer.

Councillor Charlotte Zosseder, responsible for community and business assets, said:

“We are delighted that Kearsney Parks has again been awarded the Green Flag.

“The award recognises the commitment and dedication of everyone who works so hard to maintain these important community assets, from DDC staff to volunteers and members of the public.

“Thousands of people visit the parks each year and these green spaces are loved by locals and visitors alike.”

Paul Todd MBE, manager of Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Programme, said:

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved with Kearsney Parks on achieving the Green Flag Award.

“Kearsney Parks are vital green spaces for communities in the Dover district to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and provide important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.

“We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that the high standards of the Green Flag Award are maintained and everyone involved should be extremely proud of their achievement.

“It is important that our free-to-use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, so that they are accessible to all members of the community while protecting the environment.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, run by environmental organisation Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the standard for green space management in the UK and around the world.