Bedfords Park awarded Green Flag

Bedfords Park in Broxhill Road, Havering-atte-Bower has been awarded the coveted Green Flag status – the first in the borough, along with Upminster Park. Bedfords is also home to Essex Wildlife Trust, with the visitors centre entering its fifth year in the park, bringing in visitors far and wide. The park occupies some 210 acres

Green Heritage Site accreditation – now in its fifth year - is sponsored by English Heritage to promote best practice in the understanding, care, upkeep and promotion of parks and green spaces in England that are of heritage interest. The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces.

Havering Council has made submissions over the last three years, but this is the first time an application has been successful. A great deal of work had gone into the bid and a lot of that work was supported by the "Friends of Bedfords Park" group, a group of volunteers that give up their own time to improve the environment of the park.

Bedfords Park was enclosed in the 15th century by Sir Thomas Cooke, one-time Lord Mayor of London, and remained in his family for almost 200 years. It was acquired in 1771 by John Heaton who built a the manor house of Bedfords on the crest of the hill which was enlarged in the 19th century and extensive gardens laid out around it, much of which still remain such as the monkey puzzle trees, cedars of Lebanon and rhododendrons.