Thames Barrier Park awarded a Green Flag award – seven years running!

Located in the Royal Docks, Thames Barrier Park has once again received the prestigious Green Flag Award. The Green Flag Awards scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the UK and around the world.

Independent judges assessed and scored the park based on various criteria including biodiversity, landscape, heritage, community involvement, maintenance and cleanliness. This is the seventh year of success!

Opened in November 2000, Thames Barrier Park is managed by the Greater London Authority and is home to blooming gardens, river views, wildlife, a basketball court, children's play areas and idyllic picnic spots.

One of the most eye-catching features of the park is the 'Green Dock', a 130-foot-long sunken garden running diagonally through the park that is intended as a reminder of the site's dockland heritage. The 'Green Dock' provides a wind-protected microclimate for a variety of plants and wildlife.

Two bridges cross the Green Dock and reveal vistas across the colourful, scented gardens. The park also boasts extensive lawns that are crossed by gravel pathways and bordered by yew and maygreen hedges.

The latest exciting addition to the award-winning park is Café, ‘With Milk’. Located in the heart of Thames Barrier Park, ‘With Milk’ is set to open later this year and is run by the sister duo, Hana and Lela Mamma. The café has been newly refurbished including a stone-baked pizza oven. It features floor-to-ceiling windows offering a 180-degree view of the beautiful park. The decking with outdoor seating is also perfect for gazing at the Thames Barrier in the distance, which this year marks its 40th anniversary.

The iconic and welcoming green space is open all year round. It’s a popular place for friends, families and children to play, relax, socialise, exercise and more.

The park is in a prime area, with Royal Wharf and Riverscape neighbourhoods on the doorstep which so far comprises 3,385 homes. The area also boasts the Royal Wharf Primary School, a GP surgery, a dentist and a pharmacy. The high street packed with amenities such as beauticians, restaurants, cafes and Sainsbury’s, the Windjammer pub, and the Royal Wharf Community Centre.

Thames Barrier Park is surrounded by an impressive selection of transport links making it very accessible. Pontoon Dock DLR is the closest station, cycle paths lead the way to the park and the bus network includes the new Superloop. There is also the option of the Uber Boat from award-winning Royal Wharf Pier – London’s newest and longest riverboat terminal.

Royal Victoria Gardens in North Woolwich is another Green Flag award-winning park in the Royal Docks which is definitely worth a visit.

Plan your visit to Thames Barrier Park. Find out more about the Green Flag Awards scheme at www.greenflagaward.org