Six parks in North Northamptonshire secure Green Flag status for 2026/27

Six local green spaces recognised for management and standards

Six parks across North Northamptonshire have been confirmed as winners of the Green Flag award for 2026/2027, acknowledging well-managed public green spaces and the teams that care for them. The recognition spans popular country parks and town sites in the north of the county, with Irchester Country Park included for the first time under North Northamptonshire Council.

The full list comprises: Coronation Park (Corby), East Carlton Country Park, Irchester Country Park, Hazel and Thoroughsale Woods, Rockingham Road Pleasure Park (Kettering) and Sywell Country Park. The awards are administered by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of national government, working alongside its sister organisations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Council response and recognition of local teams

North Northamptonshire Council said the awards reflect sustained work to keep local parks clean, accessible and welcoming. The authority’s executive member for assets, waste and environmental services, Cllr Ken Harrington, thanked staff and volunteers for their contribution, highlighting the first-time success at Irchester Country Park.

"Parks across north Northamptonshire are at the heart of communities and it is great to have six of our fantastic sites on the list for this year... It is especially wonderful to see Irchester Country Park receiving the accolade for the first time, under North Northamptonshire Council. Like all our parks, it is an excellent asset and I am glad that it has been recognised accordingly. Teams work incredibly hard to ensure all our parks are kept clean and tidy and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for their work."

The scheme emphasises day-to-day upkeep, safety, and community value. While each site is different, the award signals consistent management practices expected of Green Flag parks, which can help reassure residents about the quality of facilities and the attention given to public spaces.

Part of a record-setting national year

This year marks the 30th year of the Green Flag Awards, with a record 2,391 parks across the UK recognised. Keep Britain Tidy said the standard underscores the role that parks play in community life and wellbeing, while noting ongoing pressures on public services.

"Parks are essential public spaces that support our well-being, our communities and our economy. Yet for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply don’t feel safe or welcoming. With public services under pressure, investing in parks"

The national programme is funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and delivered in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

What the awards mean locally

For residents, the awards provide an independent benchmark for management and maintenance standards. They can also help bring focus to ongoing stewardship work carried out by grounds teams and volunteers. In practical terms, the recognition often supports continued attention to cleanliness, signage and site presentation that many park users value for daily visits and community gatherings.

• Confirmation that six North Northamptonshire parks meet the Green Flag standard for 2026/27
• First-time recognition for Irchester Country Park under the current council
• National scheme overseen by Keep Britain Tidy as it marks its 30th year

Which parks are included

The six parks named by the council are listed below, with Irchester Country Park highlighted as a first-time recipient under North Northamptonshire Council:

Green Flag status is an annual measure, meaning continued recognition depends on maintaining the criteria each year. The council’s statement suggests ongoing commitment to meeting those standards across multiple sites, reinforcing the role of parks as central community assets in the north of the county.