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Green Flag Award continues to fly at Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery

Friday, 17 July 2026 at 12:08

Barry Town Council are proud to be flying a Green Flag at Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery for another year, after being named in the 2026 Green Flag Awards.

Keep Wales Tidy announced this week that a record 330 parks and green spaces across Wales have reached the high standards required to gain a coveted Green Flag for 2026. 

Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery is the only green space in the Vale of Glamorgan to achieve full Green Flag status, and is also one of only fourteen sites that achieved the supplementary Green Heritage Site Accreditation, supported by Cadw, for demonstrating a commitment to preserving and promoting their unique history.

The Green Flag was awarded to Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery in recognition of being safe and secure, well-maintained and clean, having excellent environmental management, and being a welcoming place.

Opened in 1889 by the then Barry & Urban District Council, Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery was created to address a severe shortage of burial space in the rapidly expanding town. The first burial came on the 24th October 1889 when William Marra, an 18-year-old sailor was laid to rest. He had arrived aboard the S.S Doris, berthed at Barry Dock.

The awards are recognised in more than 20 countries and reward the very best parks and green spaces, so visitors know wherever there is a Green Flag that they’re visiting an exceptional place with the highest standards.

In Wales, the awards scheme is run by Keep Wales Tidy and sees independent judges visiting each site to award marks against strict criteria across themes including biodiversity, cleanliness, environmental management, safety, community involvement and visitor experience. 

Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive said:

“Wales is truly setting the standard when it comes to outstanding green spaces, with 330 places recognised in this year’s Green Flag Awards. From flagship parks and vibrant woodlands to historic sites and community spaces, Wales has shown year after year that it has an unwavering commitment to nurturing inclusive green spaces that can be enjoyed by everyone.

“Green spaces play a vital part in supporting the health and wellbeing of communities across Wales and we’d like to thank all the staff and volunteers who play a part in ensuring these special places thrive and can be enjoyed by all.”

Councillor Nic Hodges, Chair of the Council’s Halls, Cemeteries and Community Facilities Committee said:

"Barry Town Council is proud to be custodians of the only green space in the Vale of Glamorgan to be awarded the full Green Flag status. This reflects the importance of the cemetery to Barry and its communities, providing a quiet reflective space for those that need it.

I am personally particularly proud that Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery is one of only fourteen sites in Wales to also achieve Heritage status, as this celebrates the rich history of the cemetery, recognising the many famous individuals from Barry's past that are honoured within the grounds."

A full list of award winners can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website www.keepwalestidy.cymru 

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