Stonehouse has been named the overall winner of Britain in Bloom 2026 after a community gardening project helped the town beat 43 finalists from across the UK.
The town first secured Gold and was named Best Small Town in the UK before going on to win the national competition’s overall trophy. The result caps years of work by Stonehouse in Bloom volunteers to create and care for gardens, flower beds, planters and green spaces.
Five members of Stonehouse in Bloom travelled to Rochdale Town Hall for the awards ceremony, where the Royal Horticultural Society awards were presented by guest speaker Ashley Edwards. Edwards is a horticulturist, horticultural therapist, television presenter and head gardener at Crocus at Dorney Court.
Judges praise Stonehouse’s planting and public spaces
Britain in Bloom judges described Stonehouse as a “floral treat”. They highlighted the town’s “excellent deadhedging” and the strong use of colour across flower beds, planters and gardens maintained by volunteers.
The Adopted Station, Old Chapel Garden and a range of other community spaces were among the areas that impressed the judges. The town’s Community Arboretum also received a Judges’ Highlight for its tree and woodland strategy.
Established in 2021, the arboretum now includes hundreds of young and centenary trees planted across public and private land. Volunteers look after the trees by watering, mulching, weeding and planting new specimens.
“It’s fantastic to see how much Stonehouse is investing in its urban forest and the real community effort behind it,” said Darren Share, chair of the Britain in Bloom judging panel.
‘A massive achievement’ for the community
Pam Swain, chair of Stonehouse in Bloom, said the group had hoped to win Gold again but faced strong competition in the Small Town category. She said the volunteers were surprised to then hear Stonehouse announced as the overall winner.
“We still can’t quite believe it!” said Pam Swain, chair of Stonehouse in Bloom.
Swain described the national award as an honour and a “massive achievement” for everyone in the community. She said the project’s work across the town was appreciated locally and had a positive effect on volunteers’ wellbeing.
Stonehouse in Bloom said the result would not have been possible without the people, organisations and businesses that have supported the project over the years. Those named include Stonehouse Town Council, Cotswold Canals Trust, Ship Inn Community Enterprise, the Arboricultural Association, Building Circles, GWR, Network Rail, Stonehouse History Group, Hopelands and Stonehouse Park Federation of Schools.
Moreton Hill Care Home, Homestart, Sunflower Suicide Support, Stonehouse Court Hotel and Moreton Hill Care Home were also among the organisations and businesses thanked in the group’s tribute to its partners.
Volunteers invited to join Stonehouse in Bloom
The group also paid tribute to its volunteers and to John Parker, founder of the Stonehouse Community Arboretum and chief executive of the Arboricultural Association.
Stonehouse in Bloom welcomes new volunteers throughout the year and says no gardening experience is needed. A range of tasks is available, with additional work taking place in the run-up to judging.
More information is available at stonehouseinbloom.org.