Beehives, fruit trees and rewilded landscapes have helped land the University of Bradford a gold award.

The university's campus won top honours in the Universities, Colleges and Further Education (FE) Establishments category at the 2025 Yorkshire in Bloom awards, moving up from a Silver Gilt in 2024.

The campus was named the joint category winner.

Simon Padgett, head gardener at the University of Bradford, said: "Winning gold and joint category winner is a huge achievement for me and my team.

"A lot of work goes into keeping the campus looking good throughout the year and it's great the judges recognised our hard work and dedication."

The wooded area on campus which was praised by Yorkshire in Bloom judges(Image: University of Bradford)

Judges, who visited the campus in July, praised the university's 'edible campus' planting scheme, which includes fruit trees, and rewilded areas.

There is also an apiary with four beehives, which is cared for by a tutor and students.

Yorkshire in Bloom Judges said: "The horticultural team at the University of Bradford are embracing sustainability in their planting schemes.

"There is a wide and varied variety of plants.

"The wooded area is a delight to walk around, leading to one of the three ponds which can be found around the campus.

A sapling grown from the seed of a ginkgo tree that survived the Hiroshima bomb which was planted in the University's Peace Garden(Image: University of Bradford)

"The outdoor seating areas have been thoughtfully planned and planted."

Special mention was also given to a sapling grown from the seed of a ginkgo tree that survived the Hiroshima atomic bombing and planted in the university's Peace Garden in June 2024.

Yorkshire in Bloom is a regional charity representing the Royal Horticultural Society's Britain in Bloom campaign across Yorkshire.

The annual competition encourages community-led environmental improvements and awards entries to Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver and Bronze standards.

The University of Bradford horticultural team: Back row (from left): Colin Robinson, Paul Roper and Peter Winn; front row, from left: Simon Padgett and Finnley Kaney(Image: University of Bradford)

Other categories include business premises, visitor attractions, railway stations, parks, and public gardens.

Samantha Townsend, building maintenance manager at the University of Bradford, said: "I am really proud that our grounds team have achieved this Gold Award for Yorkshire in Bloom.

"They are only a small team, working on a large campus, and their hard work and resilience deserves to be recognised.

"Many people have commented that the campus has never looked as good."