Merstham Recreation Ground was named best large park in South and South East In Bloom 2026, one of seven Golds for the borough's parks and green spaces.
Merstham Recreation Ground has been named the winner of the Large Park category in this year’s South & South East In Bloom awards, and it is one of seven Gold awards for parks and green spaces run by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council.
The council announced the results on 21 October. Ten of its sites were recognised in all: seven with Gold, two with Silver Gilt and one with Silver.
What the judges said about Merstham
The recreation ground was recently refurbished. The judges singled out its “innovative” sport and play facilities and called the parkour area “fantastic”. Their conclusion, as published by the council, was:
“[Merstham Recreation Ground] is a joyful space and one which deserves to be celebrated. It is an inspiration to other local authorities and developers and shows what can be achieved with an innovative approach and expert ecological knowledge.”
The full list
As well as Merstham, Gold went to:
- Priory Park, Reigate
- Redhill Memorial Park
- Earlswood Common and Tanyard Meadow, both entered as country parks
- Reigate Heath, in the conservation area category
- Redstone Cemetery, Redhill, in the large cemetery category
Redstone Cemetery was the council’s second highest scoring entry. The judges praised the gardening team for achieving “a balance between providing appropriate burial sites for the community paired with a sensitive and informed understanding of habitat creation and encouraging wildlife onto the site”.
Reigate Castle Grounds and the Reigate Garden of Remembrance received Silver Gilt, and Lady Neville Recreation Ground in Banstead received Silver.
What the council says
Cllr Nadean Moses, the council’s Executive Member for Greenspaces and Sustainability, said:
“I am so proud of our success in the 2026 South & South East in Bloom Awards, which is testament to the hard work of our dedicated Greenspaces team, as well as our amazing volunteers.
“I am particularly pleased that the significant investment made in the refurbishment of Merstham Rec has been recognised by the judges. This is a truly special place and a park that the whole community can enjoy.
“We have a responsibility to strike the right balance between providing welcoming community spaces for recreation, remembrance and wellbeing; and protecting and enhancing habitats where wildlife can thrive. By receiving gold awards for so many of our parks and countryside areas, we can be confident that we’re on the right track.”
What it means for you
All ten sites are public spaces you can use now. Merstham Recreation Ground’s refurbished play and sport facilities, including the parkour area the judges picked out, are the newest of them.
Redhill Memorial Park has more change coming: £290,595 of developer money is set aside for its play area and outdoor gym, including equipment for children with additional needs. Our earlier report has the detail.
South & South East In Bloom is part of Britain in Bloom, an annual competition that recognises the work communities do to look after their local areas. More about it is on the South & South East In Bloom website.
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