VILLAGES are being urged to roll up their sleeves and show what community pride really looks like as entries open for the CPRE Wiltshire Best Kept Village Competition 2026.

The long-established competition celebrates the practical efforts that keep rural communities thriving – from well-kept green spaces and tidy streets to wildlife-friendly projects and shared village life.

The competition encourages residents to work together on the things that matter most to them: organising litter picks, maintaining footpaths and churchyards, improving shared spaces and supporting biodiversity and rewilding.

Judges look not just at appearance, but at the collective effort behind it.

Villages are judged across a range of criteria, including cleanliness, upkeep of green spaces and paths, environmental improvements and litter management.

Categories cover small, medium and large villages, with £200 awarded to each category winner, plus prizes for runners-up.

A Winner of Winners award recognises consistent excellence over three years.

This year’s event carries added significance, marking 100 years of CPRE championing the countryside and rural communities.

Wiltshire Council and idverde are again backing the competition, with practical support available, including litter pickers and waste bags for community clean-ups.

Wiltshire Council cabinet member for highways and street scene Cllr Martin Smith said: “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.

“By entering the competition, communities have a fantastic opportunity to highlight and showcase the great work that is already happening locally.”

Community engagement manager at idverde Paul Ashman said: “This competition perfectly aligns with idverde’s mission in Wiltshire – supporting the community… bringing together the villages of Wiltshire, making it a better place to live.”

Danny Austin from CPRE Wiltshire added: “The competition is about far more than how a place looks on the day.

“It’s about pride, participation, and recognising the incredible efforts of local people who care deeply about where they live.”

Last year’s winners were Swallowcliffe, All Cannings and Seend, with Swallowcliffe also named Best Newcomer. Urchfont took the Winner of Winners title.

Entries close on 19 April 2026, with details at www.cprewiltshire.org.uk/category/awards

CPRE Wiltshire is also seeking volunteer judges for this year’s competition.