SEVEN parks in Waverley including Frensham Great Pond and Farnham Park have been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as among the world’s best.

A record-breaking 1,883 UK parks and green spaces received a prestigious Green Flag Award this year – the international mark of a quality park or green space.

Farnham Park received the award for the sixth time, while it is the third year in a row that Frensham Great Pond and Common has kept the title.

Kevin Deanus, portfolio holder for community services at Waverley Borough Council which manages all seven of the parks recognised across the borough, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for seven of our parks and green spaces.

Broadwater Park, in Farncombe, has retained the award for a fourth year. The park can be found next to Godalming Leisure Centre and includes a large lake, play area, picnic area and football and cricket pitches.

Also achieving the award for the third time is the Phillips Memorial Park in Godalming.

The park has recently benefitted from a five year restoration and enhancement project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund.

The site is home to the Phillips Memorial Cloister, an Arts and Crafts grade II listed building, a children’s play area, skate park, bandstand, War Memorial and a beautiful riverside walk.

Near to Phillips Memorial Park, the Lammas Lands, a series of flood meadows with beautiful views alongside the River Way between Godalming and Farncombe, have secured a Green Flag for the second year in a row.

Similarly, Blackheath Common, with its stunning views of mauve flowering heathland, was also awarded a Green Flag for the second year in a row.

The common, near Albury, on the eastern side of the borough, is a SSSI and the dry lowland heathland, including acid grassland and woodland, is an internationally important habitat.

Mare Hill Common, a beautiful, scenic and peaceful space covering 40 hectares of heathland, woodland and scrub, was Waverley’s final award-winning green space and was presented with a Green Flag for the first time.

“We know how much quality green spaces matter to residents and visitors, and this award celebrates the dedication that goes into maintaining all of our sites to such a high standard.

“A big well done needs to go out to our amazing volunteers, led by our fantastic rangers and contractor Glendale.”