University of Exeter’s campuses named as two of the best in the country

The national award, handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to visitors that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

This is the third year that the St Luke’s Campus has been awarded the Green Flag status and the fifth consecutive year for the Streatham Campus.

The University of Exeter’s campuses are acknowledged as the most beautiful and botanically interesting of any UK university. The Streatham Campus is a registered botanic garden and both Exeter campuses display examples of the University’s national collection of Azara (a South American evergreen shrub) and the second collection of the popular garden plant, Heuchera.

The St Luke’s Campus has a variety of formal landscapes such as the quad, which includes picnic tables and benches for relaxation, along with seasonal floral displays, herbaceous borders, shrubberies, areas for sport and recreation and specific features for wildlife.

Director of Grounds, Iain Park, said: “We are absolutely delighted to once again receive the Green Flag Awards for both our campuses this year and hope the local community, our students and staff will continue to enjoy the green spaces we provide in Exeter. Being able to fly the flags again this year is a testament to the efforts of our staff who have worked hard to ensure our green spaces meet the strict criteria demanded.

“We continue to be committed to maintaining our campuses to the highest quality and are happy to allow the public access to our grounds as a contribution to the quality of open green space in the city.”

Both campuses are open for everyone to enjoy and organised tours are also available for those wanting to learn more about the specific collections on display and how the grounds have developed since the 19th century, when some of the first planting took place.

Our grounds team work in our green spaces, nursery and outdoor sports facilities, 365 days a year. The work of the grounds staff includes the care of specialist plant collections, botanical specimen propagation, tree and arboricultural works, pot and bedding plant production, sports playing surface maintenance and award-winning floral decoration works. As well as taking practical steps to enhance biodiversity, the team also work with wildlife experts to provide opportunities for local schools and the local community to find out about nature on the University’s campuses.

The record number of awards across the country means more people than ever before will have access to well-managed, quality green space, which is vital to people’s health and wellbeing.

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme. All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”