Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is celebrating receiving the prestigious Green Flag Award – the international quality mark for parks and green spaces - for an 18^th consecutive year, for Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve (LNR).

Epsom Common LNR dates back to Saxon times and is a nationally and internationally important wildlife site, as well as being designated a ‘Site of Specific Scientific Interest’ due to its rare insects and its importance of breeding bird habitat. Epsom Common LNR contains oak woods, open pasture woodland and wetland habitats including large ponds and hosts species including cotton spotted orchids and purple emperor butterflies.

Councillor Liz Frost, Chair of the Environment Committee said: “Epsom Common is a beautiful and biodiverse space that is available for people, horse riders and cyclists and we’re incredibly proud to receive this award for an 18^th consecutive year. This award is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our volunteers and partners including the Epsom Common Association, the Lower Mole Partnership and Natural England.

Thanks to staff and volunteers for continuing to provide a safe, green space for residents to enjoy.”

To find out more about the walks and tours taking place, managed by the Countryside Team at the council, take a look here: What's on | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council (epsom-ewell.gov.uk).

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Epsom & Ewell Borough Council on achieving a Green Flag Award. Epsom Common LNR is a vital green space for communities in Epsom and Ewell to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.

We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement. It is important that our free to use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”