November 10, 2026 - 229 views
A nature reserve in Rhuddlan has received national recognition for its work supporting wildlife and bringing the local community closer to nature.
Rhuddlan Nature Reserve was awarded Level 5 ‘Outstanding’ in the It’s Your Neighbourhood category at the Wales in Bloom 2026 awards, held in Talgarth, Powys.
The reserve has been managed jointly by Denbighshire Countryside Services and the Rhuddlan Reserve Management Advisory Group since 2011, with a programme of improvements designed to encourage wildlife and make the site more accessible and welcoming.
Work over the years has included the creation of two wildflower meadows and three wildlife ponds, alongside 300 metres of new hedgerow and the planting of 6,000 trees.
A heritage species orchard, two picnic areas and a pond-dipping platform have also been added, while a dedicated dementia-friendly space combines sensory features and natural planting with traditional features of the historic landscape.
The reserve is also providing a habitat for wildlife, with otters and water voles among the species recorded at the site. Both mammals have experienced significant declines across the UK.
The It’s Your Neighbourhood scheme recognises community groups which work to improve their local environment through gardening, planting and neighbourhood projects.
Anita Fagan, Chair of the Rhuddlan Reserve Management Advisory Group, thanked committee members, volunteers and Denbighshire Countryside Services for their contribution.
She said their commitment and work had made a real difference to the reserve, praising the positive approach of everyone involved in looking after the site.
Councillor Will Price, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Planning, Countryside and Safer Communities, said the award recognised what could be achieved through partnership working.
He said the reserve had become a place which supported nature while providing a valued space for local people to visit and enjoy.
The site is fully accessible and includes a short walking route taking visitors past wildlife ponds and meadows, where birds nest each year. The reserve has also worked with local schools and community groups on improvements.
