Nearly 50 parks and green spaces in Kent have been recognised as some of the best kept outdoor spaces in the country, as they’re awarded Green Flag status.

The accolade, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, sets the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the UK and hands out the awards based on nominations from local authorities.

Some of Kent’s 46 winners include Mote Park in Maidstone, Samphire Hoe in Dover, Bluewater Shopping Centre and Reculver Country Park, near Herne Bay.

As well as the Green Flag Award, five Kent parks have also been given Green Heritage Site Accreditation.

These are The Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham, Oare Gunpowder Works in Faversham, Ellington Park in Ramsgate and Dunorlan Park as well as Grosvenor and Hilbert Park in Tunbridge Wells.

Councillor Steve Albon, who is the cabinet member for cleansing and coastal services at Thanet District Council, said: “I’m delighted that Ellington Park has received a Green Flag Award for the second year running.

“It’s testament to the hard work and dedication of the Friends of Ellington Park, and the community volunteers who keep it looking tip top.

“Ellington Park is a fabulous asset to the local area, and I’m pleased that it’s going from strength to strength.”

The county's 46 parks are some of 186 across the South East which have reached the standards for the accolade this year, the biggest number since the scheme began 27 years ago.

Across Britain, as many as 2,216 green spaces found themselves on the receiving end of the awards.

The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Commenting on the announcement of this year’s winners, Keep Britain Tidy chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton said: “Our parks continue to provide a vital sanctuary for communities to play, grow and bond.

“The news that a record number of parks in the UK have achieved the Green Flag Award standard reflects the tireless work of those tasked with looking after these national assets.

“At Keep Britain Tidy, we’re very proud of the Green Flag Award - a crucial component in ensuring the continuing quality of our parks and green spaces, making sure they are managed to the highest standards and are safe and accessible.

“We believe it should be a minimum standard for every park – and that everyone, wherever they live, should have access to high-quality green space.

“Parks play a key role in the health and wellbeing of the nation not only in the physical and mental health of us all, but also in the environmental health of the planet.”

Kent winners split by local authority include the following while the full list can be found here and below:

Canterbury

Reculver Country Park

Westgate Parks

Duncan Down

Dartford

Bluewater Shopping Centre

Dover

Kearsney Abbey and Russell Gardens

Samphire Hoe

Folkestone and Hythe

Kingsnorth Gardens

Lower Leas Coastal Park

Radnor Park

Royal Military Canal

Kent County Council

Brockhill Country Park

Grove Ferry Picnic Site

Lullingstone Country Park

Manor Park Country Park

Pegwell Bay Country Park

Shorne Woods Country Park

Teston Bridge Country Park

Trosley Country Park

Maidstone

Clare Park

Cobtree Manor Park

Mote Park

Whatman Park (Millennium River Park)

Medway

Broomhill Park

Capstone Farm Country Park

Gillingham Park

Hillyfields Community Park

Riverside Country Park

The Great Lines Heritage Park: Field of Fire

The Vines Gardens

Ranscombe Farm Reserve

Swale

Milton Creek Country Park

Oare Gunpowder Works Country Park

Swanley

Elephant Park

St Mary's Recreation Ground

Swanley Park

Tonbridge and Malling

Haysden Country Park

Leybourne Lakes Country Park

Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground

Tunbridge Wells

Calverley Grounds

Dunorlan Park

Grosvenor and Hilbert Park

St John's Recreation Ground

The Grove

Woodbury Park Cemetery

Sevenoaks

The Vine