Felixstowe Seafront Gardens has been awarded the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

This is the eighth consecutive year that Felixstowe Seafront Gardens has received the Green Flag award. The award for the Victorian cliffside park follows East Suffolk Council's four-year restoration project, launched in 2011, to return the Grade II listed green space to its former glory as part of a town-wide regeneration programme.

Cllr Seamus Bennett, Mayor of Felixstowe said: "It's great to see the Green Flag flying over Felixstowe Seafront Gardens for the eight consecutive year. This beautifully lit coastal green space, cared for by the Friends of Felixstowe Seafront Gardens, is treasured year-round by Felixstowe residents and visitors alike. The Award confirms and celebrates what a special place it is."

Cllr Rachel Smith-Lyte, East Suffolk's cabinet member for the Environment said: "This is wonderful news for both locations and is testament to the hard work of the teams and volunteer groups who maintain both sites to such a high quality. Parks and green spaces are vital for the physical and mental wellbeing of our communities, offering a place to exercise and relax, as well as giving a home to wildlife and improving air quality."

Woods Meadow Country Park in Oulton Broad also won for East Suffolk.

The award has been given to Woods Meadow Country Park for the first time, following its creation in 2019.

Woods Meadow, owned by East Suffolk Council, was created to provide a welcoming and informal green space for local people to enjoy and which benefits their wellbeing. The former arable land has been transformed for the benefit of wildlife and provides opportunities for learning, volunteering, and a wider appreciation of nature.

Located next to the Broads National Park, Woods Meadow is a 19.7-hectare site with a wildflower meadow, protected trees and seven English Oaks which were planted in 2022 to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Planting began last year on a 5.8-hectare mixed native woodland whilst a restricted area known as the Hay Field provides a haven for ground nesting birds, especially skylarks. This fully enclosed area is reopened to visitors during the winter and serves as a safe area for dogs to be exercised off the lead.

2,216 parks and green spaces across the country have been awarded a Green Flag this year, the largest number since the scheme began 27 years ago.

The scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, 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.