Glastonbury wins top South West Bloom title and national Gold
By Laura Linham 9th Nov 2026
Glastonbury has won the South West in Bloom Champion of Champions title for towns with fewer than 10,000 people, as well as Gold in the national RHS Britain in Bloom finals.
The awards recognise the work of residents, volunteers, schools, businesses and community groups who have planted, maintained gardens and helped care for the town.
Glastonbury also won the Michael McGahey Trophy for exceptional community effort and came second in the Denise James Art in the Landscape Trophy. Sarah Marks received a Community Champion award for her work as clerk to the Glastonbury in Bloom committee.
The judges praised the town's floral displays as being "of the highest standard". They also noted pollinator-friendly planting, responsible water use and the reuse of plants in winter displays. The Mural Trail was described as "amazing and thought-provoking".
Local businesses received 15 medals: 11 Gold and four Silver Gilt. Gold awards went to the Mitre Inn, White Rabbit of Glastonbury, Glastonbury Abbey, Abbey Tea Rooms, Heart of the Tribe Gallery, Glastonbury Galleries, St Margaret's Chapel and Royal Magdalene Almshouses, Café Chakra, Beckets Inn, Cavendish Lodge and Happy Glastonbury Art Café.
Marchant Buildings, Rainbows End Café, Nature Preserved and St Dunstan's House Community Health and Wellbeing Centre received Silver Gilt.
Three schools — St John's Infants, St Benedict's Junior and St Dunstan's School — were assessed as Outstanding in the It's Your School category.
Six community projects also received Outstanding assessments: St Margaret's Chapel and Royal Magdalene Almshouses, Cavendish Lodge, Avalon Allsorts, Paddington Farm, Glastonbury Tribunal and Beckets Gardening Group. Fisher's Hill Community Garden was assessed as Thriving, while Herbies Field and the United Reformed Church Community Garden were rated Advancing.
The town received Gold in all three areas of its South West in Bloom assessment: horticulture, environment and community. The national RHS Gold was awarded separately in the Town category.
Judges suggested expanding the Open Gardens Weekend, recording volunteer hours on the website, seeking more hanging-basket sponsorship and introducing separate recycling bins.
Glastonbury Town Council thanked the volunteers, businesses, schools, community groups, sponsors, staff and residents who contributed to this year's results.
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