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Myddelton House Gardens given special heritage site recognition

The historic gardens in Bulls Cross have been recognised by the organisers of the Green Flag Award

Myddleton House Gardens (credit LVRPA)
Myddleton House Gardens (credit LVRPA)

Myddelton House Gardens in Enfield has been given special recognition of its heritage status by the organisers of the Green Flag Awards.

As well as retaining its Green Flag Award, the visitor attraction in Bulls Cross has been handed the “much coveted” Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Historic England, in recognition of the successful management of the site by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA).

Myddelton House Gardens is famous for its connection with one of Britain’s most famous self-taught gardeners, artist and expert botanist Edward Augustus Bowles. He lived in Myddelton House from 1865 to 1954 and dedicated much of his life to transforming the gardens with his love of unusual and exotic plants. An enthusiastic collector and accomplished plantsman, he discovered many unusual varieties of plants and many can still be seen in the garden today.

LVRPA has received nine Green Flags in total for its open spaces in Hertfordshire, Essex and London, the same number as last year. Among them are Gunpowder Park in Waltham Abbey and Tottenham Marshes.

Beryl Foster, LVRPA deputy chief executive, said: “Our open spaces have never been more important for the diverse communities that visit us and the award of a Green Flag is testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers who ensure we maintain the highest of standards for visitors, while at the same time conserving and enhancing the biodiversity of the park.

“To receive one is a great achievement for any park but to be awarded nine – year after year – is really special.”

Paul Todd MBE, Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award manager, said: “It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected. We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”

The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world. Lee Valley Regional Park’s green spaces are free to visit throughout the year, with thousands of
acres to explore on foot, by bike or by river.


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