This study examines the ecosystem service multifunctionality and trade-offs in English Green Belts, peri-urban landscapes that are protected from urban development. The research aims to address the gap in understanding the socio-ecological benefits of these areas through the lens of ecosystem services and multifunctionality. Using modeling and participatory mapping data, the study quantifies the supply of ten ecosystem services (six regulating, two provisioning, and two cultural) in the North-East Green Belt. The results show that Green Belts can provide multiple benefits to people, contrary to the common belief that they are solely obstacles to development. However, there are spatial variations in the levels of individual ecosystem services and overall multifunctionality, with areas of deciduous and coniferous woodland, as well as "green wedges" near urban populations, being multifunctionality "hotspots." Arable and improved grassland areas are noted as "cold-spots." Trade-offs are primarily observed in provisioning services, particularly between crop production and flood mitigation. The study argues that Green Belt policies should explicitly and holistically account for ecosystem services to create multifunctional opportunity spaces for climate, nature, and people. The findings also highlight the importance of spatially explicit approaches and stakeholder engagement in planning and policy development.This study examines the ecosystem service multifunctionality and trade-offs in English Green Belts, peri-urban landscapes that are protected from urban development. The research aims to address the gap in understanding the socio-ecological benefits of these areas through the lens of ecosystem services and multifunctionality. Using modeling and participatory mapping data, the study quantifies the supply of ten ecosystem services (six regulating, two provisioning, and two cultural) in the North-East Green Belt. The results show that Green Belts can provide multiple benefits to people, contrary to the common belief that they are solely obstacles to development. However, there are spatial variations in the levels of individual ecosystem services and overall multifunctionality, with areas of deciduous and coniferous woodland, as well as "green wedges" near urban populations, being multifunctionality "hotspots." Arable and improved grassland areas are noted as "cold-spots." Trade-offs are primarily observed in provisioning services, particularly between crop production and flood mitigation. The study argues that Green Belt policies should explicitly and holistically account for ecosystem services to create multifunctional opportunity spaces for climate, nature, and people. The findings also highlight the importance of spatially explicit approaches and stakeholder engagement in planning and policy development.