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Two dozen parks, woodlands and community gardens across Caerphilly County Borough have been recognised in the 2026 Green Flag awards.

The haul gives the county borough the second-highest total in Wales, behind only Cardiff.

Keep Wales Tidy awarded six council-run sites full Green Flag status, while 18 volunteer-led projects received community awards.

The six major locations to retain their full award for 2026/27 are: Brithdir Cemetery; Cwmcarn Forest; Parc Cwm Darren; Parc Penallta; Ty Penallta; and Waunfawr Park in Crosskeys.

The Green Flag award is the international mark of a quality park or green space, assessing factors such as maintenance, environmental management and safety. Across Wales, 93 sites achieved the full status this year.

Cllr Chris Morgan, cabinet member for green spaces, said the awards reflected the hard work and commitment of everyone involved in maintaining the sites for local communities.

In addition, 18 locations in the county borough received Green Flag Community Awards. These recognise high-quality spaces managed by volunteers, such as community gardens, allotments, and local nature reserves.

A total of 237 green spaces across Wales secured community awards for 2026/27.

Keep Wales Tidy chief executive Owen Derbyshire said green spaces played a vital role in supporting community health and wellbeing.

He said: “From flagship parks and community gardens to memorial gardens and churchyards, it is clear the county prioritises ensuring all kinds of green spaces reach the highest standards so that they can be enjoyed by all.

“Congratulations to the six locations who have retained their Green Flag Award status, including some of the area’s biggest visitor destinations, as well as an incredible 18 spaces gaining Community Awards, recognising the dedication of volunteers across the area.”

The scheme is run in Wales by Keep Wales Tidy and supported by the Welsh Government.

Community award winners in Caerphilly County Borough

• Aber Valley Community Allotment
• Caerphilly Miners Centre Climate Change Garden of the Future
• Coed-Y-Werin in Caerphilly
• Eco Park Cefn Forest
• Libanus Lifestyle Community Garden
• Michael Williams Memorial Garden
• Morgan Jones Community Allotment
• Pontygwindy Allotments and Community Growing Space
• Pontywaun County School Memorial Garden
• St Andrews Community Churchyard
• St Martins Church; Taraggan Educational Gardens
• Tirphil Community Hub
• Trethomas Community Allotment
• Van Ward Allotments
• Waunfawr Community Garden
• Windy Ridge Allotment
• Ynys Hywel Farm