A GREEN Flag Award has been made to Minehead’s Blenheim Gardens for the sixth successive year, building on the town council’s new ownership of the Edwardian park.

The council last year took ownership of Blenheim Gardens from the financially-stricken Somerset Council and within weeks saw the Green Flag confirmed again.

Now, judges have once more recognised the caring work that is put into maintaining the gardens and rewarded it with the prestigious Green Flag.

The award scheme, which this year is celebrating its 30th anniversary, is an international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Blenheim Gardens is one of a record-breaking 2,391 sites across the UK to achieve the award in 2026, recognising the high standards of maintenance, management, and community value provided by the park.

Minehead Mayor Cllr Craig Palmer, said: “This award is a tremendous achievement for Minehead and recognition of the hard work that goes into maintaining Blenheim Gardens every day.

“I would like to thank our amenities team and the many volunteers whose dedication, enthusiasm, and community spirit help make the gardens such a special place.

“Taking on responsibility for Blenheim Gardens came with the challenge of maintaining the high standards that residents and visitors rightly expect.

“Retaining Green Flag status in our first full season of management is a testament to the dedication of our amenities team and volunteers, whose hard work ensures the gardens remain one of the jewels in Minehead’s crown.”

Cllr Palmer said the award was particularly significant as the town council only formally took over responsibility for Blenheim Gardens in May, 2025.

He said since then, the council has placed community involvement at the heart of its management of the gardens.

Alongside the council’s in-house amenities team, a dedicated and enthusiastic group of volunteers gave their time throughout the year to help maintain and enhance the much-loved green space.

Cllr Palmer said: “Their commitment plays a vital role in ensuring Blenheim Gardens continues to flourish and remain a source of pride for the town.”

The award came at the start of a busy week for the town council and the wider community as South West in Bloom judges were also being welcomed as Minehead sought to retain the Gold Award status it has proudly held for the past two years.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag award manager Paul Todd said: “Parks are essential public spaces that support our wellbeing, our communities and our economy.

“Yet, for millions of people, particularly in the most deprived areas, local parks simply do not feel safe or welcoming.

“With public services under pressure, investing in parks is not a luxury, it is a practical, preventative solution and one of the most visible ways to improve people’s quality of life.

“Minehead Town Council 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 this that are safe, welcoming, and maintained to a high standard.

“Congratulations to everybody involved.”