Alton Water has become the first and only open area in Suffolk to win both the prestigious Green Heritage Site accreditation, along with another Green Flag Award.

While a number of very good parks, gardens and opens space in Suffolk have once again been included in the last of Green Fag awards, only Alton Water, managed by Park Ranger John Taylor from Shotley, has been named a Green Heritage Site supported by Historic England.

To even be in with a chance applicants have to have been in operation for 30 years and Green Heritage Site accreditation is given in recognition of achieving the required standard in the management and interpretation of a site with local or national historic importance.

Alton Water path (Picture credit: Julie Deer)

The constant improvements at Alton Water now include a link to the history of the reservoir, and former parts of Tattingstone, flooded to create the reservoir.

Dean Battiste, facilities manager at Alton Water, explained how the reservoir and park scooped the rare recognition, the only one in the county and the first Anglian Water park to win it.

"Part of achieving the accreditation is to show the history," said Dean. "We have been in close contact with the Food Museum in Stowmarket (formerly the Museum of East Anglian Life) as the Alton Water Mill is over there and that has just had a full refurbishment.

"We will work closely with them to bring a lot of pictures and other things so we can create our own history room on site.

"We want to make an old time capsule in the old bike hire shop and we have put up information boards in the park.

Visitors can enjoy history boards (Picture credit: Peninsula Nub News

"The judges came on site, looked at everything and saw everything involved.

"It has been a real team effort and I would like to thank everyone involved in us winning these awards, which we are really happy about."

In addition the Suffolk Wildlife Trust has written up five year Conservation Plan for the park.

Meanwhile, in the nearby village of Tattingstone there is a talking telephone box, which gives visitors the history of the reservoir and how it came about.

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Dean Battiste, activites manager (Picture credit: Nub News)

Activities include an eight-mile rambling route and an eight-mile cross-country cycle track.

Bikes are available to hire from the Visitor Centre. 

Owned by Anglian Water, Alton Water can also boast a wide array of water sports, including excellent sailing and windsurfing facilities.

Fishing is also available. With bream the most popular summer quarry with pike and roach leading the way over the winter months. Day and season permits are available from the Visitor Centre.