Gnosall named Staffordshire’s Best Kept Village 2026 as awards mark 70 years

Gnosall has won Staffordshire’s 2026 Best Kept Village and Community Awards. See the full list of winners as the competition celebrates 70 years.

Gnosall is celebrating after being crowned the overall winner of Staffordshire’s Best Kept Village and Community Awards in the competition’s 70th anniversary year.

The village also won Best Large Village (South). Elsewhere, Endon took the Best Large Village (North) title, Grindon won Best Small Village (North), and Drayton Bassett was named Best Small Village (South).

Almost 20 volunteer judges visit entrants to assess how communities are cared for and how residents come together. Some of the judges have been involved with the competition for more than 50 years.

Gnosall’s judges highlighted the volunteers behind its projects and events throughout the year.

Laura Pearson, Gnosall’s BKVC lead, said:

“BKVC has brought the community together and it is great to be part of this village. There is something for everyone of all ages, including community groups, organisations and drop-in activities.

“I have lived in Gnosall for six years and I have changed as a person because of this community. It is a very proud moment for me and for the village, and this award means everything to us.”

Seventy years of celebrating Staffordshire communities

The competition began in 1956, when Sir Alfred Owen helped establish it during his time as chairman of Staffordshire County Council. It was originally managed by the Rural Community Council. When that organisation closed in 2017, the Community Foundation took over the competition’s administration from 2018.

While the awards retain their historic name, they now recognise much more than a village’s appearance. Housing estates and wards within districts can enter, and additional awards celebrate different aspects of community life.

Steve Adams, chief executive of the Community Foundation for Staffordshire & Shropshire, said:

“For 70 years, these awards have been celebrating the people and places which make Staffordshire so special.

“While the name of the scheme has remained, the way we judge it has evolved. Today, it is about so much more than how a village looks – it is about community spirit, people coming together and everything that happens throughout the year to make somewhere a great place to live.

“Reaching our 70th anniversary is a fantastic milestone, and it is a real privilege to be able to continue a tradition which shines a light on the huge amount of voluntary work taking place in communities across Staffordshire.”

Full list of 2026 winners

Sir Alfred’s grandson, Nick Owen, represented lead sponsor the Owen Family Trust at this year’s ceremony at the Moat House in Acton Trussell. The prizes for the north of the county have also been renamed the Barry Birch Awards in memory of the former Mayor of Leek and longstanding supporter of the competition.