Wivenhoe Park has been named in the top ten in the UK in the Green Flag Award People’s Choice vote covering more than 1,500 parks and green spaces.

The park is a striking landscape of more than 200 acres, providing a tranquil setting for Wivenhoe House and the University of Essex’s Colchester Campus.

Professor Anthony Forster, Vice-Chancellor at the University, said: “Immortalised by the painter John Constable in 1816, the University is delighted to share our estate with visitors and I am sure our careful stewardship will ensure that Wivenhoe Park remains a special place and one of the nation’s favourite green spaces in years to come.”

The park is also home to a range of plants and wildlife including more than 2,800 trees, some of which are extraordinary examples of their species or have historic significance – including the cork trees at Wivenhoe House which were grown from cuttings brought back from the Peninsular War by Major-General Francis Slater Rebow in 1814.

The site also provides many different habitats including grasslands, woodland and reed beds, and has three man-made lakes which provide a habitat for a number of waterfowl and wader species.

Paul Todd, Green Flag Award manager, said: “Congratulations to everyone who has helped Wivenhoe Park become one of the nation’s favourites and a Green Flag Award People’s Choice winner.”