Museum Gardens wins green award for third time

York Museum Gardens has won a top horticultural award for the third year in a row.

Yorkshire in Bloom, which runs annual competitions to encourage communities to improve their local environment, named the attraction Best in Category for cemeteries and gardens.

The gardens also picked up a platinum award for features such as the Edible Wood, Japanese garden and Prairie Border.

Steve Williams, Garden Manager at York Museums Trust, praised the hard work of staff and volunteers that have contributed to the space which is visited by more than a million people each year.

"We strive to build biodiversity, create habitats and contribute to the city of York by offering a relaxing environment for wellbeing and where the local community can come together," he said.

"We couldn't achieve this success without the support from our colleagues, all of whom understand the importance of our wonderful green space.

"The team not only focus on the aesthetics of the garden but also sustaining the varied wildlife and plant life that call the garden home."

The wildflower meadow at the gardens has been in bloom for three years, which has provided refuge for insects and pollinators.

Outside of planting, the garden team runs weekly guided tours, community birdwatching and creates wildlife habitats.

This year, York Museum Gardens has hosted several shoots for television and film, as well as weddings, concerts and a dog show.

Other Yorkshire winners include York Racecourse, the University of Bradford, Keighley Worth Valley Heritage Railway and Cannon Hall Park and Gardens.

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