The awards ceremony, held in Brighton on Friday 31 October, celebrated the UK’s most outstanding towns and cities for horticultural excellence, environmental responsibility, and community engagement. The awards are organised annually by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

This success follows Torquay in Bloom’s gold medal in the regional South West in Bloom competition earlier this year. These awards would not be possible without the dedication of local volunteers, schools, businesses, and key partners. SWISCo’s operational support and green infrastructure expertise also played a vital role in delivering the town’s award-winning displays and environmental strategies.

Councillor Adam Billings, Cabinet Member for Pride in Place, said: "This medal is a testament to the incredible teamwork and pride that runs through our community. From the volunteers who tend our gardens to the schoolchildren who plant pollinator-friendly flowers, everyone has played a part in making Torquay bloom."

Judges visited Torquay on 28 July 2025 and wrote a report about the area. They praised Torquay’s stylish planting along café fronts, creating a continental café culture on the seafront. Seasonal flowerbeds and hanging baskets were described as colourful and impactful, with the plant nutrition plans delivering excellent results. They also noted that grassy areas are well maintained and that sustainable planting adds year-round colour and diversity.

Judges also describe Torquay seafront and surrounding spaces as spotless, even with high visitor numbers. ‘Operation Brighter Bay’ was commended for its significant investment in improving public spaces, while SWISCo staff were recognised as “wonderful ambassadors” for the area. These efforts, combined with strong and vital community involvement, make Torquay a model of horticultural excellence and civic pride. The judges complimented groups such as the Torquay in Bloom Partnership, Friends of Torquay Railway Station, Turning Heads, and Friends of Stoodley Knowle for encouraging the community to come together for Torquay’s green spaces.

Judges admired Torquay’s wide range of horticultural features, from the vibrant plantings and Palm House at Torre Abbey Gardens to the rose garden at Cockington. Forward-thinking, sustainable schemes that boost biodiversity were also praised. These include Torquay’s wildflower areas, butterfly meadows, and heritage apple collections. The report also highlighted creative schemes such as the sculpture trail at Cockington and new seafront murals. These were just some of the many different things that impressed the judges during their visit.

Neil Coish, Head of Environmental Services at SWISCo, said: "Winning this medal puts Torquay firmly on the map as a green leader. It’s not just about flowers - it’s about creating spaces that bring people together, support wildlife, and make our town a more beautiful place to live and visit."

We are committed to making all of Torbay a place to be proud of, where people of all ages want to live, work and visit. Alongside the wider community, we will continue to invest time, money, and expertise in improving the natural environment of the area.

Operation Brighter Bay 2025 has seen over £300,000 invested by us to make significant environmental improvements to public spaces across Torbay.

The Britain in Bloom Awards are the UK’s largest horticultural campaign, celebrating communities that make positive changes to their local environment through gardening. Torquay’s gold medal places it among the very best in the country, inspiring other towns and cities to follow its blooming example.