A shopping centre nature trail has been recognised as one of the nation's best parks again.

Bluewater Shopping Centre in Greenhithe has received the prestigious Green Flag Award for its nature trail for the eighth year.

The international quality mark for parks and green spaces recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces around the country.

James Waugh, centre director at Bluewater, said: “We are delighted to have received the Green Flag Award here at Bluewater for the eighth time.

“Our nature trail is maintained by a fantastic team at Nurture Landscapes, and we really take pride in our local environment.

“The awards set the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces in the UK, so this is a tremendous accolade to receive.”

The Green Flag Award scheme is managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.

Bluewater’s Nature Trail is just one of many to have received the award in Kent with others including Mote Park in Maidstone, Samphire Hoe in Dover, Leybourne Lakes Country Park and Reculver Country Park, near Herne Bay.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Bluewater on achieving a Green Flag Award.

“Bluewater is a vital green space for communities in Kent to socialise, enjoy nature, for children to play safely and it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.

“We know that staff and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.

“It is important that our free-to-use spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”

In 2021, lovers of Bluewater’s nature trail had opposed plans to erect an inflatable aqua park close to the nature trail, fearing it would ruin a "tranquil" green space used by local during lockdown and permanently harm wildlife and eco-diversity.

Similar plans have since resurfaced but in a different location at the quarry site.

The company behind the new plans stress “crucially, the lake does not form part of the Bluewater Nature Trail” and say floating reed beds will introduce more wildlife to the lake.