It was great to catch up with Rosie Inman-Cook from the Natural Death Centre and Sheridon Rosser from Atlantic Rest Natural Burial to hear about The People’s Awards for The Best Natural Burial Grounds in the UK.
Held annually by The Association of Natural Burial Grounds (ANBG), which is run by the Natural Death Centre Charity, these awards are all about the people involved and the level of compassionate service they provide to families.
Throughout the year, feedback forms from families are sent to the Natural Death Centre. For the awards, an independent panel of judges carefully review all of the forms and reviews, taking into account the feedback and experiences of families and the personal touches that make all the difference.
We were delighted that whiteballoon member Atlantic Rest, near Bude in Cornwall, won the People’s Awards Regional Winner for best natural burial ground in the south west. Sheridon and her team were praised for their kindness and outstanding customer service. Surrounded by wildflower meadows, rolling fields and woodland, Penlow Fields at Atlantic Rest was noted for its peaceful, uplifting location.
It was also lovely to hear from Lizzie Davidson from Humber Woodland of Remembrance, which was awarded Regional Runner up. Set in beautiful open countryside near Leominster, Humber Woodland of Remembrance is Herefordshire’s first green burial ground. Started by Diane Thomas in 2003, over 1600 trees were planted before it opened, and further trees of remembrance are planted by families.
Congratulations also to whiteballoon member Old Park Meadow and all of the other winners and runners up. To see a full list please see below. It is wonderful that the hard work and dedication of the teams at natural burial grounds throughout the UK are honoured and recognised by The People’s Awards.
To find out more about The Natural Death Centre and the Association of Natural Burial Grounds, please take a look at our Q&A with Rosie Inman-Cook, long-term manager of the Natural Death Centre, or visit their website at www.naturaldeath.org.uk
The winners and runners up of The People’s Awards 2026
| Overall Winner | Riverview Natural Burial Ground | |
| Scotland | Winner | Clovery Woods of Rest |
| Runner up | Cairnebrae Natural Burial Ground | |
| Wales | Winner | Bargoed Natural Burials |
| Runner up | Hay Meadow Burial Ground | |
| South East | Winner | Riverview Natural Burial Ground |
| Runner up | South Downs Natural Burial Site | |
| South West | Winner | Atlantic Rest Natural Burial |
| Runner up | Hackpen Natural Burial Ground | |
| East Anglia | Winner | Norfolk Bluebell Wood |
| Runner up | Old Park Meadow | |
| Central England | Winner | St. Albans Woodland Burial Ground |
| Runner up | The Windmills Natural Green Burial Ground | |
| East Midlands | Winner | Brightwater Green Burial Ground |
| Runner up | The Willows Natural Burial Ground | |
| West Midlands | Winner | Alne Wood Park Natural Burial Ground |
| Joint Runner up | Humber Woodland of Remembrance | |
| Temple Fields Natural Burial Ground | ||
| Yorkshire & North East | Winner | Brocklands Woodland Burial Ground |
| Runner up | The Meadow Cemetery | |
| North West | Joint Winner | Dalton Woodland Burial Ground |
| Forget Me Not Fields Natural Burial Ground | ||