Ipswich’s Holywells Park has won a top 10 place in the best urban wildlife sites to visit in Britain.
The Wildlife Trust calls Holywells “a beautiful open space, with trees and ponds and is a green hub for the community”.
It explains that the park is on the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest and is also a Regionally Important Geodiversity Site.
Councillor Phil Smart, who is in charge of parks at Ipswich Borough Council, welcomed the award: “Local people have known what a great place Holywells is for diverse natural habitats – now its fame is spreading nationwide. We are proud of the way volunteers, Friends and our staff have all come together to make Holywells such a special place.”
Holywells Park has recently been restored with the help of a £3.5 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund. This was topped up with financial support from the Council and the Friends of Holywells Park.
