VVillages, towns, cities, and coastal communities are at the heart of South & South East in Bloom, part of Britain in Bloom. This initiative celebrates these wonderful places and recognizes their achievements through annual competitions. While it may seem like just a contest, our award criteria are designed to encourage and support changes in gardening and horticultural practices that help the environment recover, promoting improvements in areas such as water use, peat reduction, and pesticide alternatives.  

South & South East in Bloom is a yearly campaign that inspires community involvement and honors the efforts of those maintaining villages, parishes, towns, cities, urban neighborhoods, coastal towns, business districts, and green spaces. Participants work toward the three key pillars of Bloom: Horticultural Achievement, Environmental Responsibility, and Community Participation.  

To reflect changes in society, judging criteria now place greater importance on community engagement and environmental management. Local authorities, community groups, and volunteers join forces to improve the quality of life in their areas, and we celebrate their hard work by recognizing and rewarding their successes. From tending parks and gardens to tackling litter, graffiti, and anti-social behavior, these communities create and maintain beautiful spaces, building a sense of pride, place, and spirit in their towns and villages.