news Archives - Jubilee Gardens Trust

14 July 202613 July 2026

Jubilee Gardens awarded the coveted Green Flag Award as it is officially recognised as one of the country’s best parks for 2026

GREEN FLAG AWARD 2026

Jubilee Gardens on London’s South Bank raises prestigious Green Flag Award after achieving international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Jubilee Gardens Trust is celebrating today after receiving a Green Flag Award for the sixth year for Jubilee Gardens.

It comes as the internationally recognised standard for parks and green spaces celebrates its 30^th year.

Jubilee Gardens at the heart of London’s bustling South Bank is one of a record breaking 2,391 in the UK to achieve the award this year – a fantastic testament to the hard work, passion and dedication of the team who care for this green space, ensuring it is maintained to a high standard for visitors and residents to enjoy.

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Manager at Keep Britain Tidy, 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 don’t feel safe or welcoming.

“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.

“Jubilee Gardens Trust 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 everyone involved.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under contract from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Find out more about the Green Flag Award scheme including criteria and a list of other winners.

14 July 202613 July 2026

GREEN FLAG AWARD 2026

Jubilee Gardens on London’s South Bank raises prestigious Green Flag Award after achieving international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

Jubilee Gardens Trust is celebrating today after receiving a Green Flag Award for the sixth year for Jubilee Gardens.

It comes as the internationally recognised standard for parks and green spaces celebrates its 30^th year.

“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.

“Congratulations to everyone involved.”

Find out more about the Green Flag Award scheme including criteria and a list of other winners.

15 December 202516 December 2025

Planting for Pollinators: Park Plaza Volunteers at Jubilee Gardens

On 5 November, Jubilee Gardens welcomed a team of eight volunteers from Park Plaza for a dedicated day of planting as part of their ongoing corporate sponsorship of the Gardens. The team worked tirelessly throughout the day, planting over 1,000 bulbs. These included daffodils and tulips, chosen not only for the burst of springtime colour they will bring, but also for their value as an early nectar source for bees and other pollinators emerging after winter. The volunteers also planted winter-flowering annuals to ensure the Garden remains bright and welcoming during the colder months.

This activity builds on Park Plaza’s generous support earlier in the year, when their sponsorship enabled us to plant a new holly hedge, now growing strongly and providing important habitats right through the centre of the Gardens.

Daniel Pedreschi, Executive Vice President Operations UK, said:

“At Park Plaza, we believe in creating meaningful connections beyond our hotels. Supporting Jubilee Gardens allows us to give back to the local community and help preserve a space that brings joy to so many. We’re proud to see our team’s efforts making a real difference.”

Ted Inman, Chair of the Jubilee Gardens Trust, said:
“We are extremely grateful for Park Plaza’s continued support for Jubilee Gardens. Their sponsorship of the new holly hedge has already made a visible difference, and we were delighted to welcome their volunteers to the Gardens. The team’s hard work and commitment made a significant impact in just one day, and we value this ongoing relationship enormously.”

The Jubilee Gardens Trust looks forward to continuing to work closely with Park Plaza as partners in enhancing and protecting this much-loved green space on the South Bank.

18 October 202512 December 2025

Improving Visitor Experience: New Signage for Jubilee Gardens

New signage plans for Jubilee Gardens

We’re updating the signs and information panels across Jubilee Gardens to make them clearer, more accessible and more informative for everyone who visits. The current signs were installed back in 2012 and, after more than a decade of service, are showing their age.

What’s changing

We’ll shortly be applying for advertising consent – the formal planning process for signage – for a series of improvements across the site. The plans include new totem signs at all the Gardens’ entrances to welcome visitors, explain how the space can be used, and include tactile and braille maps for visitors with visual impairments. These will replace the smaller signs currently on the grass.

At the two riverside entrances, new information panels will feature video screens sharing the history of the site and the Trust’s role in caring for it. These and additional panels near the playground will also tell more of the Gardens’ story, especially important as we approach the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Britain in 2026.

The new signage will include details about the tree species in the Gardens, information about the work of the Jubilee Gardens Trust, and guidance to help visitors enjoy, respect and donate to support the Gardens.

Sharing our key messages

Following feedback and experiences during the pandemic, the updated signage will make key site rules easier to understand – such as the Gardens’ no-alcohol policy, which helps keep the space safe, welcoming and family-friendly.

Our 2024 visitor research showed that while most people love Jubilee Gardens, many aren’t aware that it’s managed by a local charity rather than the council. The new signs will help highlight the role of the Jubilee Gardens Trust and how people can get involved or support our work.

Designed with local input

The proposals have been developed by our Communications and Fundraising Committee, ensuring input from trustees appointed by local residents and businesses, as well as external experts. We’ve been in touch with relevant Lambeth officers who confirmed our preference for Legible London style totems at the entrances.

And our proposals were reviewed by Tom Lister of People Friendly Ltd, accessibility consultant to the 2012 re-landscaping project, who provided specialist advice on colour contrast, text size, and layout – helping to ensure the new signage is as legible and inclusive as possible.

We’ll keep you updated as our new signage and exhibition project progresses. Sign up to our quarterly newsletter to be the first to hear the news.

15 July 202512 December 2025

Jubilee Gardens achieves Green Flag Award for fifth year running

Jubilee Gardens celebrates Green Flag Award 2025 win

Jubilee Gardens on London’s South Bank has once again been recognised as one of the country’s best parks, after receiving the coveted Green Flag Award for the fifth year in a row.

The international quality mark for parks and green spaces celebrates the very best public spaces in the UK and around the world. This recognition reflects the continued hard work and dedication of everyone involved in caring for Jubilee Gardens – from the Jubilee Gardens Trust, the local charity responsible for the site, to the management and maintenance teams who keep it looking its best every day.

Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, said:

“Congratulations to everyone involved in Jubilee Gardens who have worked tirelessly to ensure that it achieves the high standards required for the Green Flag Award.

“Quality parks and green spaces like Jubilee Gardens make the country a healthier place to live and work, and a stronger place to invest.

“Crucially, Jubilee Gardens is a vital green space for communities on London’s South Bank to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis it remains a free and safe place for families to socialise – offering real physical and mental health benefits.”

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark for quality across the UK and internationally.

Jubilee Gardens Trust is proud to receive this accolade for the fifth consecutive year – a reflection of the ongoing commitment to keep this much-loved green space beautiful, safe and welcoming for all.

A full list of Green Flag Award-winning parks and green spaces is available here. Find out about the history of Jubilee Gardens and the Jubilee Gardens Trust which manages the space on London’s South Bank.