Burnham Beeches has been awarded a prestigious Green Flag Award and a Green Heritage Award.

The famous Bucks beauty spot has been a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) since 1951, was declared a National Nature Reserve in 1993 and designated as a Special Area of Conservation in 2005.

Burnham Beeches is famous for its ancient woodland, wood pasture, coppice, ponds and streams, grassland, mire and heathland.

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It joins fourteen other sites managed by the City of London Corporation which have also received the Green Flag status.

The Green Flag Awards Scheme is run every year by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy and overseen by a panel of expert judges.

Graeme Doshi-Smith, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee, said: "This year Burnham Beeches has arguably been more important than ever before.

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“It has been a lifeline during the coronavirus pandemic, helping people get exercise and fresh air and benefitting both mental and physical health.

“The site is treasured by its local communities and international visitors alike.

“I would like to thank our staff and volunteers for the excellent job they do in maintaining Burnham Beeches to such a high standard, keeping it accessible for all and giving people the opportunity to explore the natural world.”