Allotments in London were already very popular…
But since Covid, they have become even more in demand!
If you’re thinking about getting an allotment in London, you may have struggled to find out all the information you needed.
The information is scattered like a set of autumn leaves on a windy day…
I managed to use existing data gathered by London Datastore to create a Google map, which you can see below.
But that’s not all…
You will also find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, such as how much an allotment costs, what size allotments usually are and much more!
Some notes about the map
- 20 out of the 32 boroughs are colour coded. That’s because Google only allows 20 categories in total.
- All the locations are still there, but some boroughs have grey markers.
- Each location shows where you can find “more details”, either from the local council website or a separate (usually management or association) site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does it cost to rent an allotment in London?
A: It can be anywhere from £20 to £59 a year. There are a few factors which impact it:
- Location
- Size
- If you’re eligible for a discount
- Facilities
You can get full plots (usually 250 square metres or half plots). Often those with facilities, such as toilets and running water, will cost more due to maintenance. Some people may get a discount, such as if you are over 60, unemployed or disabled.
For more information, use the map above to find your local borough’s allotment website which should have all the information you need on it.
Q: How many allotments are there in the UK?
A: There are an estimated 300,000 allotments in the UK. That’s individual plots. In 1918 there were estimated to be around 1.5 million!
Times have changed a lot. Pressure for more housing has meant some land being used for homes and fewer people are enthusiastic about running an allotment.
Q: Can you build on allotment land?
A: No, it is owned and managed by the council and to be kept as usable for allotments.
Q: How long is the wait for an allotment?
A: In London, each borough is managed separately so it all depends on where you live. In Wandsworth, for example, there are around 1,300 people waiting for an allotment (as of Oct 2018).
For more information use the map above to find out where your nearest allotment is and contact the council who manage it.
Q: Why is an allotment called and allotment?
A: “Allot” is a synonym of “allocate”. Therefore, it means to allocate a piece of land to an individual for a specific purpose.
In the case of allotment gardens, the land is usually rented per 10 poles which is 250 square metres. You can rent full or half plots, most commonly.
Q: What are you allowed to grow on an allotment?
A: In general, most fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers can be grown which are for a non-commercial purpose. Meaning you aren’t growing them to sell.
We need your help…
If you live near to any of these allotments and would like to contribute to the community, please get in contact.
We want to add photos to all of the listings so people can see their location on the road and what the entrance looks like.