Cheshire West won Gold for its whole-borough entry at North West in Bloom 2026, with Gold for six parks including Westminster Park. Every group's result here.
Westminster Park and Alexandra Park in Chester are among six council green spaces that won individual Gold awards at the RHS Britain in Bloom North West Awards 2026, and the borough as a whole took Gold for its Whole Borough Entry.
Cheshire West and Chester Council announced the results on 29 October. The ceremony was held at Bolton Wanderers Football Club. The six Gold green spaces are:
- Alexandra Park
- Westminster Park
- Whitby Park, Ellesmere Port
- Rivacre Valley
- Castle Park, Frodsham
- Marbury Park
Seventeen volunteer groups were also assessed in the It’s Your Neighbourhood category, which grades community projects on levels rather than medals. Most reached Level 5, the top grade, and two picked up extra awards: Hadlow Road Station for five years running at Outstanding, and Friends of Weaver Parkway for the 2026 award for Gardening for Wildlife.
The quick answer
- Borough: Gold for Cheshire West and Chester’s Whole Borough Entry.
- Parks with their own Gold: Alexandra Park, Westminster Park, Whitby Park, Rivacre Valley, Castle Park and Marbury Park.
- Chester groups recognised: Hoole 3 Joint Alleys community gardens, the Chester University Wellbeing Garden, Lache Garden Group and Friends of Westminster Park.
- Special awards: Hadlow Road Station (five years Outstanding) and Friends of Weaver Parkway (Gardening for Wildlife).
Every It’s Your Neighbourhood result
These are the levels as the council listed them.
| Group | Result |
|---|---|
| Hadlow Road Station | Level 5 Outstanding, plus an award for 5 years of Outstanding |
| Friends of Lees Lane Ponds | Level 5 Outstanding |
| Friends of Williston Meadows | Level 5 Outstanding |
| Whitby Park Community Garden | Level 5 Outstanding |
| Hoole 3 Joint Alleys (3JA) community gardens | Level 3 Advancing |
| Chester University Wellbeing Garden | Level 5 Outstanding |
| Davenham Community Garden Regeneration | Level 5 Outstanding |
| Friends of Lostock Gralam Station | Level 4 Thriving |
| Friends of Weaver Parkway | Level 5 Outstanding, plus the 2026 award for Gardening for Wildlife |
| Marshalls Arm Management Group | Level 5 Thriving |
| Neuromuscular Centre Winsford | Level 5 Outstanding |
| Friends of Elm Grove | Level 5 Outstanding |
| Stamford Street Allotments | Level 5 Outstanding |
| Lache Garden Group | Level 4 Thriving |
| Friends of Westminster Park | Level 5 |
| Thackery Drive Jubilee Orchard | Level 5 |
| Overpool Allotment Association | Level 5 |
Westminster Park in Hoole did well twice over: the park itself won Gold, and its friends group reached Level 5.
What the council said
Councillor Stuart Bingham, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhood Pride, went to the ceremony with staff from the council’s Environmental Services team. He said:
“Winning a North West in Bloom Gold award for our whole borough entry is a fantastic achievement and something everyone involved can be incredibly proud of. It reflects the ongoing commitment of our Council teams, partner organisations, community groups and volunteers who work throughout the year to keep Cheshire West and Chester looking its best.
“From our parks, green spaces and floral displays to the environmental projects and community initiatives that help our neighbourhoods thrive, this award recognises the collective effort that goes into making our borough a cleaner, greener and more welcoming place for everyone.
“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this success. Their passion, pride and dedication help create places where people want to live, work and visit, and this Gold award is a fitting recognition of that shared commitment.”
About the competition
North West in Bloom runs the RHS Britain in Bloom competition across Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, and is one of 18 regions and nations that make up Britain in Bloom. Communities in the North West have entered since 1964. Any city, town, urban community or village can enter, and so can tourist attractions, hotels, pubs and shopping centres. Judges look at the use of trees, shrubs, flowers and landscaping, and at whether a place is kept free of litter and run sustainably.
The council’s announcement is on its news page. If you want to see the winners for yourself with children in tow, our guide to Chester playgrounds and parks covers Westminster Park, Whitby Park, Castle Park and Marbury, with toilets, cafes and parking.
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