Victoria Park scoops Green Flag status for first time

Victoria Park has been awarded its first ever Green Flag, placing it among the best open spaces in the country.

On the borders of Bow and Mile End to the south and Hackney to the north, it is often referred to as the oldest public park in Britain.

It joins five others in Tower Hamlets to have retained the prestigious award this year - Mile End Park, Trinity Square Gardens, Millwall Park, Island Gardens and Weavers Field.

Green Flag awards, set up in 1996, judge open spaces on cleanliness, facilities for the community and how well the environment is cultivated for wildlife and plants.

Victoria Park is currently undergoing a multi-million revamp to restore some of its original features.

Almost 1,300 parks across the country were awarded this year and the scheme is growing so rapidly that by 2020 half the country’s parks should have met the standard.

Westminster scooped the most Green Flags in London, with 24 within its borders.