Britannia Park in Rowley Regis has been awarded the prestigious Green Flag following a £2.7 million makeover, making it the only new addition among 17 Sandwell sites receiving the award in 2026.
Green Flag Awards Announced for Sandwell
The Green Flag Award, now in its 30th year, is an internationally recognised standard for parks and green spaces run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. Sandwell announced the 17 awards on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, with Britannia Park being the sole new entry. The remaining 16 parks and green spaces retained their status from previous years.
Britannia Park's £2.7 Million Transformation
Britannia Park’s success follows major improvements over the past few years, including new sports changing rooms, a more accessible and improved car park, upgraded sports facilities, and new play and outdoor fitness equipment. The £2.7 million investment has transformed the park into a modern community asset.
Council Leader Praises Record-Breaking Achievement
Sandwell Council leader Councillor Ray Nock said: “We know the important role our parks and green spaces play within our communities and recognise they serve all our residents. Well-maintained spaces are vital for leisure, exercise and good health and wellbeing. Residents have told us how much these sites mean to them, so it’s fantastic for Sandwell to achieve a record-breaking 17 Green Flags – 14 of which are council-run sites. After applying for the very first time for Britannia Park, we are honoured to accept the Green Flag for our newly transformed green space. I would like to thank all of our staff, community organisations, volunteers and Friends’ groups who work hard to ensure our parks, green spaces, cemeteries and crematoria grounds are of the highest standard. Building on this success, the council will continue to invest in much-loved parks and green spaces across Sandwell to provide enjoyable, safe spaces for residents, as part of our continuing journey to become an outstanding council.”
Full List of Green Flag Award Winners 2026
The following council-run sites achieved the Green Flag Award: Barnford Park (Oldbury), Britannia Park (Rowley Regis), Brunswick Park (Wednesbury), Dartmouth Park (West Bromwich), Fallings Heath Cemetery (Wednesbury), Haden Hill Park (Cradley Heath), Lightwoods Park (Bearwood), Red House Park (Great Barr), Sandwell Valley Crematorium (West Bromwich), Sandwell Valley Country Park (West Bromwich), Tipton Cemetery, Victoria Park (Smethwick), Victoria Park (Tipton), and West Smethwick Park (Smethwick). Community-run sites include Lions of the Great War (Smethwick, managed by Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick), Revolution Walk (Main Line Canal, managed by Canal & River Trust), and Warley Woods (Bearwood, managed by Warley Woods Community Trust).
Keep Britain Tidy Comments on Sandwell's Success
Paul Todd, Green Flag award manager at Keep Britain Tidy, said: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy. With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it’s a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life. The council and community organisations in Sandwell have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed. As we celebrate 30 years of the Green Flag Award, we want every community to have access to green spaces like these that are safe, welcoming and maintained to a high standard. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
