A scene at Flitton Moor. In the foreground is a lake or pond and beyond that is a natural meadow with a tree line behind. The trees are reflected in the lake.

In the 2025 Green Flag Awards, Houghton Hall Park and Rushmere Country Park have once again earned the prestigious Green Flag status. This international award recognises well-managed parks and green spaces. Flitton Moor, Linslade Wood, Studham Common, and Tiddenfoot Waterside Park also received Green Flag Community Awards, highlighting the vital role of local volunteers in caring for these much-loved spaces.

The Green Flag Award, managed by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, is the benchmark for excellence in parks and green spaces. It recognises sites that are safe, welcoming, well-maintained, and sustainably managed. The scheme celebrates the efforts of staff and volunteers to ensure these spaces are accessible and enjoyable for all.

With over 1,000 hectares of countryside, 36 play areas, and two skate parks, Central Bedfordshire offers countless ways for residents to enjoy the outdoors. During Love Parks Week, the council invites everyone to:

  • explore award-winning countryside sites and enjoy play areas, from woodlands and wetlands to adventure play areas
  • visit the Linslade Canal Festival on 26 July at Tiddenfoot Waterside Park for a day of family fun, nature activities, and water safety demonstrations
  • get active outdoors with walking football, buggy fitness, or scenic circular walks
  • discover local wildlife – look out for butterflies, beetles, and birds, or join a bug-themed event
  • volunteer with a local group to help protect and enhance green spaces
  • take part in the Summer of Play from 30 July at Dunstable Downs, transformed into a Sports Village with free, self-led outdoor activities including football, cricket, and tennis
  • join a Parkrun – free, friendly 5K events take place every weekend across Central Bedfordshire

Councillor Tracey Wye, our Executive Member for Countryside Sites, said:

Our parks and green spaces are more than just places to visit. They’re essential to our wellbeing, our environment, and our sense of community. Receiving multiple Green Flag Awards is a proud achievement and a reflection of the dedication shown by our staff and volunteers. Love Parks Week is the perfect time to get outside, explore somewhere new, and celebrate the incredible natural spaces we’re lucky to have across Central Bedfordshire.

Find out more about events and activities this summer for children and families.