The Giltar Hotel in Tenby has achieved a Gold Award in this year’s Wales in Bloom, one of two hotels in the seaside town to do so!

Last Friday, Giltar gardeners Tobin and Simon Rowlands attended the award ceremony in Wrexham, the nation’s newest city.

The Giltar was awarded Gold in the Best Hotel with a Frontage Display category, alongside another hotel on the same Esplanade: The Atlantic Hotel.

The Wales in Bloom awards also saw Saundersfoot Sensory Garden presented with an It’s Your Neighbourhood, National Certificate of Distinction, and Haven Kiln Park / Penally Court Caravan Park awarded a Gold in their category.

The 2025 Wales in Bloom Awards Ceremony was held at Wrexham Memorial Hall, where guests were welcomed by the city’s impressive floral arrangements. Attendees enjoyed guided tours of Wrexham’s key attractions and visited the Erlas Victorian Walled Garden.

The glorious summer had produced some amazing displays and there was plenty of colour to greet the judges. The dry spell did keep everyone on watering duties for most of the summer, but they were rewarded with excellent floral displays across Wales.

Councillor Nigel Williams, Lead Member for Economy, Business and Tourism extended a warm welcome to everyone celebrating their individual achievements at the Wales in Bloom Awards Ceremony. , Cllr Williams went on to say: “I don’t have to tell any of you in the room how important ‘Bloom’ is. It’s more than just flowerbeds and hanging baskets. It brings people together with a common purpose of improving the environment that they live in. It brings together communities, schools, neighbours, volunteers and strangers who in turn become friends, be that tending flowerbeds, working on community allotments or litter picking, to all of you I say Thank You.”

Peter Barton Price, Chair of Wales In Bloom said: “Wales in Bloom saw an increase in entries in 2025, with groups coming together to develop a better and more sustainable environment, creating opportunities for people to engage with their local green spaces, developing good horticulture practices and greater engagement programmes.”

The ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ entries are proving to be a great stepping stone to the main campaign. This year there were 134 entries, building on the success from previous years. It was particularly good to see new entries and also how previous entries are gaining ground. There were 43 Outstanding Awards this year, 40 at Thriving level, 29 at Advancing level, 15 at Improving level and seven at Establishing level. Judges felt that it was good to see the quality of entries improving each year. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and Wales in Bloom were proud to present five It’s Your Neighbourhood, National Certificates of Distinction. This year the Certificates of Distinction were presented to Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community - Climate Change Garden, Holt Community Gardeners - Holt Community Allotments, Botanical Growing Project, Rhyl, Llandudno Junction Railway Station, Erlas Victorian Walled Garden, Wrexham, Saundersfoot Sensory Garden and Friends of Thomas Telford's Suspension Bridge.

Wales in Bloom were delighted that once again Wrexham in Bloom secured a Gold award and were the City category winner 2025. Truly showing how the communities of Wrexham working with the Local Authority can make real change, promote the environment and deliver horticultural excellence. Wales in Bloom would like to thank the sponsors of this category – Origin Amenity Solutions.

The tussle in the category for Large Towns, continued between north Wales neighbours Colwyn and Prestatyn. This year both towns were awarded Gold with Prestatyn in Bloom edging Bay of Colwyn for overall category winners. The judge said: “A well-deserved Category win and Gold Medal this year for Prestatyn. The three Core values were well portrayed, particularly Environment with the Eco Garden, Dunes, Orchard and Morfa project exceptional. Community and Horticulture were well represented in the IYN projects and the Station, Coronation Park, and Friends of the Ffrith, with a colourful Town Centre. Bay of Colwyn received a well-deserved Gold Medal. Colourful displays and sustainable plantings particularly the Welsh Mountain Zoo and local parks. The Promenade improvements very impressive and have transformed this area of the town. Other local Community projects add to the overall impression of this entry.”

In the Town category had entries from Abergavenny in Bloom, Holywell Town Council and Abertillery & Llanhilleth Community Council. Abergavenny securing the overall Town category winner with a Gold award, closely followed by Holywell Town Council and Abertillery & Llanhilleth Community Council both with Silver Gilt awards. The judges said: “We were delighted to visit all of the entries in this category and our `Congratulations’ go Abergavenny in Bloom and we wish them well in this year’s Britain in Bloom competition.”

The category for Small Towns saw Conwy in Bloom winning the class with a Gold award just ahead of Gelligaer Community Council’s entry of Ystrad Mynach who won a Silver Gilt Award. The judges thought that the strength of character of the towns in this class really did shine throughout their respective judging routes.

The category for Large villages is always challenging for our judges as the highest standards are always presented. This year again was no different with Usk in Bloom received a Gold in first place, for the 42nd time, Holt in Bloom received a Gold and Knighton / Tref-y-Clawdd received a Silver award. The judges said: “It is always a delight to judge this category, and it is clear to see the hard work and commitment that goes on year-round. Large Village entries presenting our Judges with a floral and environmental delight during their visits.”

The smallest category by size is for Villages which saw Llanwrtyd Wells receiving Gold and overall category winner. The judges said: “The community here displays wonderful enthusiasm, synergy, respect and ability to coordinate so many volunteer groups and individuals to make this a blooming beautiful place to live.”

The category for Urban Communities saw Brackla Community Council receiving a Silver Award and category winner. The judge particularly enjoyed his visit to Brackla and applauded their commitment to both the natural environment along with the woodland management.

The category for Coastal Communities with a population of over 12,000 saw Llandudno in Bloom achieving a Gold award and overall category winner 2025. The judge said: “A well-deserved Gold Medal, following a varied and different aspect to the tour this time. Good IYN Friends projects seen included Queens Gardens and Happy Valley. Plenty of sustainable and colourful planting, including the Hotels and Guest Houses, not forgetting the Great Orme and St Tudno’s Church, impressive Environmental and Conservation areas.”

The fight for the Best Hotel with a Frontage Display is always a titanic battle. This year again both The Giltar Hotel and The Atlantic Hotel in Tenby were awarded Gold and The Angel Hotel, Abergavenny and Six Bells Hotel, Abertillery receiving Silver Awards This year The Giltar Hotel outshone the other Gold Award winner by just one important point that was achieved by the Agave that decided to flower after 30 years and produced a most spectacular flower stem that made the local and national press.

Hotels, Guest Houses, Public Houses & Restaurants with frontage and grounds saw Bodelwyddan Castle and The Parkway Hotel, Cwmbran both receiving Gold awards and Ty Ebbw Fach café, Abertillery, received a Silver award in their first year. 2025 saw a new overall category winner, The King Arthur Hotel, Swansea. The judges said: “Congratulations to The King Arthur Hotel on their Gold and category winner 2025, so well deserved.”

The category for Caravans Static or Touring, Camping & Holiday Home Sites (Under 100 Units), saw all three of Thornley Leisure’s caravan parks receiving Gold awards - Maenan Abbey Caravan Park, Green Pastures Caravan Park and Ocean Heights Caravan Park. Maenan Abbey securing the overall category winner. The judges noted, ‘These sites are always of the highest standard, ensuring good horticultural practice is carried out and delivering training opportunities to all of their staff and adding to the local economy.’

The category for Caravans, Static or Touring, Camping & Holiday Home Sites (Over 100 Units) saw seven sites being awarded a Gold - Valley View Holiday Park, Haven Kiln Park / Penally Court, Craiglwyd Hall Caravan Park, Dinlle Caravan Park, Ty Gwyn Caravan Park, The Beach Caravan Park and Tree Tops Caravan Park. Morfa Lodge Holiday Park being awarded a Silver. The overall category winner, once again, being Tree Tops Caravan Park, this year for the 30th time. The Judge said: “It was great to see two new entries into this category this year – Congratulations to all on their high standards.”

The category for Health & Social Care Establishments once again Hengoed Care achieving a Gold and were overall category winner. The judge said: “This is a truly remarkable place that adds so much value to the lives of the residents. It cares firstly for the people in a wonderful environment. Congratulations.”

In the Allotment category, Friends of Morgan Jones Park Community Allotments were awarded a Silver Gilt Award with first time entrants Holt Community achieving a Gold and overall category winner. The judge said: “This is a remarkable site with many innovations for sustainable gardening.”

This year saw the School Category being revised to allow schools to achieve one of five levels – Beginning, Budding, Branching, Blossoming and Blooming. Wales in Bloom were delighted to see an increase in entries as a result with eleven schools being visited and awarded a Level of Achievement in their own right. The judges said: “Congratulations to all entries and especially to Cila Primary School achieving the highest level as ‘Blooming’. The whole of the Wales in Bloom Committee were really excited to re-launch this category in 2025. In its pilot year it has laid the foundations for more entries in the future, encouraging young people to play a greater part in their community, learning about horticulture and their own natural environment.”

There were also eight RHS Community Champion Certificates awarded to Andrea Evans of Wrexham Litter Pickers, Gerry & Carol Sweeny from Llandudno, Nicola Ellis & Craig Youens of Wrexham in Bloom, Ralph Henderson of Abertillery and Llanhilleth Community Council, Rhodri Hughes a Community Park Ranger for Cardiff Council, Sandra Rosser & Jay Shipley of Abergavenny in Bloom and Sarah Ferrante of Colwyn Bay Nursery.

The Jim Goodwin Young Person Award was presented to Friends of Mostyn Street Kidz of Llandudno. Jim said, ‘In 2024 this group was set up as an extension of an existing Friends group, as a means of encouraging young people to play an active role in caring for their local environment, provide them with educational opportunities and combat some of the stigma around young people and anti-social behaviour.

With guidance and support they run their own committee and decide what projects they want to get involved with. These include litter picking, weeding, helping out at events and planting projects. The young people are developing their skills such as in gardening, learning how to work as a team, and look after their environment, all valuable skills that can be used in later life.’

John Woods Environmental Award was presented to Friends of Castle Meadows in Abergavenny. John said: “The Friends of Castle Meadows, Abergavenny is a group that fosters a welcoming atmosphere and encourages people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved, strengthening community ties and promoting a shared sense of responsibility.”

The best front garden was awarded to a property on Meliden Road, Prestatyn, Denbighshire.

The climax of the ceremony was the presentation of the Norman Stewart Award, given each year to the individual or group who make an outstanding contribution to Wales in Bloom and their local entry. This year it was presented to Tony Konieczny of Abergavenny in Bloom for his long-standing support to Wales in Bloom over may years. “This is a prestigious award that is presented to an individual or group for their support and commitment to the Wales in Bloom campaign on an annual basis. We were delighted to award this to Tony for his hard work and commitment and to recognise this in being presented the Norman Stewart trophy for 2025.”

In closing Peter Barton Price, Chair of Wales in Bloom said: “I would like to thank Wrexham in Bloom for hosting our Wales in Bloom Annual Award Ceremony 2025 and our sponsors Amberol and Origin Amenity Solutions for their support for this year’s campaign.

“Congratulations to all of the Wales in Bloom category entries and RHS ‘It's Your Neighbourhood’ groups 2025 on their achievements that were celebrated today, along with our Discretionary Award winners.

“Wales in Bloom are, however, facing challenges in the delivery of the Bloom campaign with decreasing numbers of Judges who all give their time voluntarily. So I am reaching out to you all and asking if you would have time to become part of our Wales in Bloom family. If this is of interest to you please contact us via email: [email protected] . We look forward to seeing and visiting you all in 2026.”