Pride in our parks

Nature, heritage and the volunteers who make it all shine

If you've ever wandered through Northcroft and Goldwell Parks or Holybrook Linear Park, you'll know just how special these spaces are. They're places where dog walkers greet each other, children race between play areas, wildlife thrives beside meadows and chalk streams, and where extraordinary teams of volunteers work to keep everything looking its best.

Their hard work truly shows. Together, these parks have proudly held the prestigious Green Flag Award for 17 consecutive years, from 2009 to today - a testament to both the Council's ongoing care and the passion of residents and local volunteer groups who give their time, energy and enthusiasm to the parks they love.

"A ribbon of green weaving through woodland, grassland and riverside paths."

Holybrook Linear Park - two parks, double the heritage

Although often spoken of together, Linear Park (east of Mill Lane) and Holybrook Park (west of Mill Lane) are two distinct areas, each with its own character, history, and wonderfully long, heritage rich name that we're committed to preserving.

Located in the east of the district, Holybrook Linear Park offers a gentler pace, a ribbon of green weaving through woodland, grassland, and riverside paths. It quietly performs heroic work for the community, reducing flood risk in the Calcot area through its balancing ponds, meadows, and water holding landscapes.

Here, practical flood management infrastructure blends seamlessly with beauty, biodiversity, and community enjoyment, supported by volunteer group Friends of Linear Park (FOLP), whose vital work helps keep the park looking its best through a range of projects.

It also boasts five children's play areas, a welcoming new community café, football pitches and open green spaces, scenic walking routes including Holybrook Footpath 4, regular community walks, an abundance of wildlife from red kites and siskins to treecreepers, and the rare chalk stream habitats that line the beautiful Holy Brook.

Northcroft and Goldwell Parks

Once part of Newbury's historic 'common pasture', Northcroft and Goldwell Parks supported the town's working animals for generations. Today, it's a much loved landscape where heritage features, such as the Northcroft Ditch and remnants of the Goldwell House estate, sit happily alongside modern facilities.

Visitors can enjoy a brand new pump track, basketball court, a children's play area with a zip wire, football pitches, Newbury Cricket Club, the nearby, newly refurbished Northcroft Leisure Centre and café (open to all visitors via the Leisure Centre Reception) and sweeping panoramic views across Newbury.

"These parks shine thanks to the dedication of local people."

Nature flourishes here. Riverside buffer zones support birds and small mammals, and the globally rare River Kennet chalk stream (SSSI) threads through the park.

One football pitch has even been restored to nature, evolving into a biodiverse wet meadow that links beautifully with habitats created by local environmental partners such as NEWT.

The volunteers behind the Green Flags

These parks shine thanks to the dedication of local people. Local volunteer groups help clear paths, maintain habitats, support wildlife, organise events and make the parks welcoming for all. Their aims include supporting day to day park care, ensuring accessibility for all, enhancing visitor facilities, protecting local wildlife, raising awareness of the parks, and running regular volunteer days.

Their pride is our pride - those 17 Green Flags belong to them, too

If you enjoy the outdoors, meeting friendly people or making a difference locally, there are many volunteer roles available. It's rewarding, sociable, and a wonderful way to support the parks that mean so much to our community.