Houghton Hall Tiny Forest wins ‘Best Sustainable Garden Project’ at the Anglia in Bloom Awards
Huge congratulations are in order yet again for the Earthwatch Europe team and their Tiny Forest volunteers. Last month saw Houghton Hall Tiny Forest take home the ‘Best Sustainable Garden Project’ award at the annual Anglia in Bloom Awards.
Recognising community-led environmental action
Anglia in Bloom is an annual campaign that encourages communities to take pride in their local areas and create greener, more welcoming spaces. Covering the six eastern counties of England – Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk – the campaign celebrates the people and projects transforming local environments through community action.
Over the past three years, Anglia in Bloom winners have spanned the region, showcasing everything from meadows and orchards to flower gardens and, of course, Tiny Forests.
This year’s winners demonstrated that almost any space can benefit from a little green-fingered care. Projects have transformed cemeteries, alleyways, car parks and churchyards, creating places that invite both nature and communities in.
This [award] is a testament not only to the impact Tiny Forests can have on their local environment but also the care and dedication shown by the local community in caring for the forest as it grows.
Matt Bentall, Earthwatch Europe
‘Best Sustainable Garden’ was one of nine Special Awards presented this year. Our Nature in Cities Project Manager, Matt, collected the award on behalf of Earthwatch Europe, celebrating the work of everyone involved in bringing Houghton Hall Tiny Forest to life.
Celebrating Houghton Hall Park
Houghton Hall is a large manor house dating from the late 17th or early 18th century, set within the grounds of Houghton Hall Park in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire.
Spanning 42 acres, the park is home to mature woodland, ornamental gardens, a playground and café – and, since February 2026, a new Tiny Forest.
Earlier this year, local volunteers joined the Earthwatch Europe team to plant the 600 trees that make up the Tiny Forest. Councillor Michelle Herber also joined the community planting day, helping to get the new forest off to a strong start.
But, as with all of our Tiny Forests, planting the trees was only the beginning. In August, the Earthwatch Europe team returned to Houghton Hall as part of Paul and Daniel’s Tiny Tour with GoodGym, exploring how the forest had developed and carrying out citizen science activities with the local community. “Given the heat, we weren’t sure how many people would venture out, but we ended up engaging with lots of lovely young families,” said Paul. “We helped introduce them to citizen science – including measuring the young trees and understanding how their growth can be used to estimate carbon capture. Hopefully we also planted a few seeds for future involvement from local families and schools. And these young trees need watching. With increasingly hot, dry conditions, collecting information about how they survive and grow is becoming particularly valuable.”
Despite the blistering summer heat, the team was delighted to see lots of local families taking part.
Looking ahead
Houghton Hall Tiny Forest has already experienced plenty in its first year, from its community planting day and citizen science activities to the heatwaves of summer 2026. Now, with an Anglia in Bloom award under its belt, the young forest is beginning to make its mark.
Tiny Forests can provide valuable habitat for wildlife, bring people together and create opportunities for communities to learn more about the natural world. At Houghton Hall Park, the enthusiasm and commitment of local volunteers will be an important part of helping this young forest thrive in the years ahead.
A huge thank you – and congratulations – to everyone who has helped make Houghton Hall Tiny Forest possible. This award is a celebration of your dedication, community spirit and commitment to creating a greener future.
Want to get involved?
If you would like to help care for this award-winning community forest, or others like it, you can become a Tiny Forest Tree Keeper. Head to our Tiny Forest website, select your local forest, and sign up to get involved.
Featured image: Nature in Cities Project Manager Matt Bentall receives the award on behalf of Houghton Hall Tiny Forest. Courtesy of Anglia in Bloom.
Photographs: Houghton Hall Tiny Forest Planting Day, February 2026, and Tiny Forest Discovery Day, August 2026. Courtesy of Earthwatch Europe and GoodGym.
