Villages invited to compete in competition celebrating community and countryside
This years event marks a century of the Campaign to Protect Rural England championing rural communities
Wiltshire Council is calling on villages across the county to participate in the CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) Wiltshire Best Kept Village Competition 2026, an annual event that celebrates local community pride and environmental stewardship.
This year's competition holds special significance, marking 100 years of CPRE's dedication to rural communities and countryside conservation.
Villages throughout Wiltshire are encouraged to come together to improve their natural surroundings and showcase their community spirit.
People can organise local clean-ups, maintain shared spaces, and highlight efforts in biodiversity and rewilding, all contributing to a sense of pride and place.
Categories and criteria for participation
The competition is open to villages in three size categories: small (up to 300 residents), medium (301–1,000 residents), and large (1,001–3,500 residents). Each category winner will receive £200, with additional prizes for runners-up.
The prestigious Winner of Winners award will be given to a village that has demonstrated consistent excellence over the past three years.
Villages will be assessed on various aspects, including cleanliness and litter management, upkeep and presentation of green spaces, churchyards, paths, and streets, as well as biodiversity, rewilding, and environmental enhancements.
Support and sponsorship
Wiltshire Council, alongside idverde, jointly sponsors the competition and is committed to supporting participating communities. The council can provide necessary equipment for clean-up activities, such as litter pickers and waste bags. Community Engagement Manager at idverde, Paul Ashman, expressed delight at continuing the sponsorship, emphasizing the event's alignment with idverde’s mission to support community initiatives.
In endorsing the event, Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways and Street Scene at Wiltshire Council, stated: "Wiltshire’s villages are at the heart of our county, and the Best Kept Village competition is a wonderful celebration of the pride and care our rural communities show every day."
Danny Austin from CPRE Wiltshire noted the competition extends beyond village aesthetics, focusing on community participation and the dedication of local residents to their environment.
Last year's winners were Swallowcliffe, All Cannings, and Seend, with Swallowcliffe recognized as Best Newcomer. Urchfont received the Laurence Kitching Winner of Winners Award, praised for its exceptional care and welcoming community features like a charming village bus shelter.
Villages interested in participating or requiring additional support for the event can contact the Community Engagement Manager at Wiltshire Helpdesk at [email protected].