Leamington took Gold at the 2026 Heart of England in Bloom Awards on 22 October, its ninth in a row. The gardens, orchards and volunteers behind it.

Leamington has won Gold at the Heart of England in Bloom Awards for the ninth year in a row. The Mayor of Royal Leamington Spa, Councillor Sarah Boad, collected the award at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern on Thursday 22 October.

The result was announced by Royal Leamington Spa Town Council on Friday.

Who is behind it

The entry is run by the Leamington in Bloom Partnership. It was relaunched in February 2026 with the town council’s support. The council says it now has 17 associate members, including environmental and community groups, schools and allotment organisations.

The regional judges toured the town in July. According to the town council, their route took in:

  • Trinity School and Brookhurst Primary School
  • Packington Place Pocket Park
  • St Mary’s Allotments
  • Black Bridge
  • the Brunswick Hub Secret Garden
  • Mill Gardens and Jephson Gardens

What happened this year

The town council lists the year’s work behind the entry. Among it:

  • Green grants. The Leamington in Bloom grant scheme was oversubscribed. It funded projects at schools and community hubs, including the Stoneleigh Arms.
  • Two new community orchards in Kingsway, south Leamington, with apple, pear, plum and cherry trees. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, residents and councillors helped plant them.
  • Packington Place Pocket Park. Pupils from Clapham Terrace Primary School and residents of Sycamores Care Home held a planting day there.
  • Green Flags. Jephson Gardens kept its Green Flag for a 19th year. The Pump Room Gardens and Oakley Wood kept theirs too.
  • The Eco Hub at 65 Bedford Street had its soft launch in January. The volunteer-led hub lends thermal cameras and runs community garden and water quality projects.
  • An allotment for The Esther Project. Six Leamington and Warwick businesses revived a plot for the Leamington charity, which supports women facing a range of life challenges.
  • Leam Trash Friends, a volunteer group that has been clearing litter and graffiti since it relaunched in October 2025.
  • The Regent Grove garden, beside the public toilets, which volunteers weed, water and plant.

The town council also pays towards planting and looking after street trees.

What the Mayor said

Councillor Boad said it was “a pleasure to accept the Gold Award on behalf of Royal Leamington Spa”.

“The award reflects the work of the many residents, volunteers, schools, businesses and community groups who help look after our green spaces throughout the year,” she said.

“Thank you to everyone involved in Leamington in Bloom and to all those who give their time to make such a difference across the town.”

What it means for you

The gardens on the judges’ route are all free to visit. Jephson Gardens and the Pump Room Gardens sit either side of the Parade. Mill Gardens runs along the River Leam opposite.

If you want to help next year, the Leamington in Bloom page on the town council’s website list the partnership and its member groups. The Green Grant scheme was oversubscribed this year, so it is worth applying early if your school or group has a project in mind.

For more to do in town this autumn, see our things to do in Leamington page.