Celebrated green spaces across the county
Four flagship parks in Carmarthenshire and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) Carmarthen Campus have been confirmed among the best-managed green spaces in Wales in the 2026/27 Green Flag Awards announced by Keep Wales Tidy. The recognised sites — Bishops Park (Parc yr Esgob), Llyn Llech Owain Country Park, Mynydd Mawr Woodland Park, Pembrey Country Park, and UWTSD Carmarthen Campus — have met the scheme’s highest benchmarks for being safe, clean, well cared for and welcoming.
They are among 93 sites across Wales to achieve full Green Flag Award status this year. The programme is internationally acknowledged and signals to residents and visitors that a location is managed to an exemplary standard.
“Wherever there is a Green Flag, they’re visiting an exceptional place with the highest standards.”
Heritage accolade for Bishops Park
Bishops Park — the former private gardens of the Bishops of St Davids in Abergwili, Carmarthen — has also retained Green Heritage Site Accreditation, one of only 14 sites in Wales to hold this additional honour. Supported by Cadw, the heritage mark is awarded to parks that not only meet Green Flag standards but also conserve, interpret and celebrate their historic character.
The dual recognition underscores the park’s stewardship of its historic fabric and its role as an accessible public green space. For visitors, the status is a reliable indicator of quality, from site presentation and biodiversity management to the way the park’s story is shared.
Local list of award recipients
| Site | Award | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Bishops Park (Parc yr Esgob) | Green Flag Award + Green Heritage Site Accreditation | Abergwili, Carmarthen |
| Llyn Llech Owain Country Park | Green Flag Award | Carmarthenshire |
| Mynydd Mawr Woodland Park | Green Flag Award | Carmarthenshire |
| Pembrey Country Park | Green Flag Award | Carmarthenshire |
| UWTSD Carmarthen Campus | Green Flag Award | Carmarthen |
Community spaces recognised county-wide
Alongside the headline awards, 12 community-run sites in Carmarthenshire achieved Green Flag Community Awards, which celebrate high-quality spaces maintained by volunteers, from allotments and gardens to local nature areas.
- Retained awards: Burry Port Community Garden; Danyrhelyg Community Garden; Footholdcymru Community Garden; Friends of Betws; Llanfallteg Memorial Playing Field; Pontyberem Park.
- First-time recipients: Alltwalis Community Garden; Cegin Hedyn; Gardd Gwen; Hendy Nature Trail & Community Garden; Tycroes Park & Woodland; Yr Ardd.
The spread of community honours reflects a strong grassroots effort across the county to improve neighbourhood green spaces, promote biodiversity and encourage outdoor activity. For volunteers, the accreditation offers recognition that their sites meet rigorous management and visitor standards.
What the Green Flag means for visitors
The Green Flag Award is a recognised mark of quality for public green spaces. To qualify, sites must demonstrate excellence in areas such as safety and security, cleanliness and maintenance, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. When residents see the flag at a park or campus, it signals that the space is well-managed, welcoming and committed to long-term sustainability.
For families and visitors planning days out, the awards provide a straightforward way to choose accessible, well-looked-after destinations. While each location has its own facilities and features, all Green Flag sites have been assessed against the same national criteria, giving reassurance on standards from entrances and paths to signage, habitat management and visitor information.
How to make the most of these sites
Whether for walking, cycling, informal play or simply a quiet place to sit among trees, these award-winning green spaces offer year-round opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Checking individual park or campus web pages before travelling will help with up-to-date details on opening times, parking, site maps and any seasonal notices. For community sites, local social media pages and village noticeboards often carry news on volunteer sessions and events for those wishing to get involved.
The latest awards place Carmarthenshire prominently on the Welsh map for high-quality green spaces, from country parks of regional appeal to smaller, volunteer-led gardens. They confirm that the county’s mix of historic landscapes, campus greens and local community projects continues to meet — and in several cases exceed — the benchmark for well-managed, environmentally conscious public spaces.
