‘Jewel in the crown’ Queens Park shines with another Green Flag award

July 16, 2026

Community

Picturesque Queen’s Park, often described as Crewe’s ‘jewel in the crown’, is one of 12 Cheshire East parks and green spaces to be awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award, recognising their exceptional quality, condition and cleanliness.

The Green Flag Award is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces and reflects the ongoing work of parks staff, volunteers and community partners, who help care for these valued public spaces throughout the year.

The awards also recognise the continued success of a number of other parks and countryside sites across Cheshire East, highlighting the council’s commitment to providing high-quality green spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Green Flag Award status is reviewed annually and recognises excellence across a range of areas, including environmental management, biodiversity, cleanliness, safety and community involvement.

Cllr David Jefferay, council cabinet member for environment, sustainability and waste management, said: “We are delighted that a number of Cheshire East parks and green spaces have once again achieved Green Flag Award status.

“These awards are a reflection of the dedication and hard work of our environmental services teams, volunteers and community partners who help care for these important community spaces throughout the year.

“It is particularly pleasing that The Carrs has achieved Green Flag status for the first time. This recognition demonstrates the commitment that has gone into ensuring the park continues to provide a welcoming and high-quality environment for residents and visitors.

“Parks and green spaces play a vital role in supporting health and wellbeing, encouraging people to be active and helping communities connect with nature. We are proud that so many of our sites continue to receive this prestigious recognition.”

Opened in 1888, Queens Park was gifted to the town of Crewe by the London & North Western Railway (LNWR) to mark Queen Victoria’s Jubilee and the 50th anniversary of the Grand Junction Railway.

Today the original Victorian layout remains largely unchanged. The park’s impressive 500m main axis runs east to west through her distinctive oval shape.

As you enter, the Jubilee Clock Tower of 1888 (listed Grade II), stands tall, fronting the Central Avenue, originally laid out as a carriage drive to the bandstand.

The South African Boer War Memorial, of 1904 (listed Grade II), refurbished 2011, sits at the centre of the park, featuring a near life-size bronze soldier ‘Tommy Atkins’, with two lions at its base.

Today visitors can enjoy a wide range of events in the park and refreshments in the Taste for Life café.

The park has notched up many accolades over the years, including Green Flag awards, all testament to the hard work of local volunteers.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award scheme manager, Paul Todd MBE, 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. All the Green Flag award-winners in Cheshire East have shown what can be achieved when parks are properly supported and managed.”

The full list of Cheshire East’s Green Flag award-winning sites in 2026 is:

Bollington Recreation Ground

Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve

Congleton Park

Fountain Fields, Middlewich

Macclesfield Riverside Park

Milton Park, Alsager

Queens Park, Crewe

Sandbach Park

Tatton Park

Tegg’s Nose Country Park, Macclesfield

The Carrs, Wilmslow