By Oliver Thompson
The Elizabethan Manor House and Country Park, Oakwell Hall, has won a seventh Gold Award from Yorkshire in Bloom
Yorkshire in Bloom is a charity and regional body representing the ‘Britain in Bloom’ campaign that is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society. The Birstall based Oakwell Hall won the Gold award in the tourist attraction category.
This award is the third for the park this year, joining their 15th successive Green Flag Award for excellence in green space management award, and their second successive Green Heritage Award in the trophy cabinet.
The Yorkshire in Bloom’s judges praised the estate’s commitment to developing ways to support and engage their 300,000 plus visitors each year, they said:
“A friends group, volunteers and a lot of activities for young people both within school visits and at events, go on making the site very busy and exceptional value for money when costs are compared to visitor numbers. Plans within the council to develop volunteering and cultural offers see the hall and estate well placed for the future.”
Recent developments at the visitor attraction have included a new mountain biking trail, constructed with the co-operation of a number of local groups, and new information boards in the hall itself.
Cllr Rob Walker Cabinet Member for Culture and Environment said:
“A special mention should go to our Friends Group too, who have supported Oakwell for over 31 years now and continue to support our busy events programme, as well as providing invaluable financial assistance with new park developments.”