Gates To Open At London's Oldest Allotments

The green site in Northfields is hosting its fourth summer day

The ever-popular Northfields Allotments will be throwing the gates open again and inviting everyone to the fourth annual summer open day.

At 186 years old, Northfields Allotments is London's oldest allotment site. It dates back to 1832, when the Bishop of London enclosed the site for use as allotments by the local community.

On Sunday 1st July between 1pm and 5pm, guests can peruse the wide variety of plots on the site and see what is growing, as well as joining a guided tour to discover more about the site’s wildlife and history.

Other attractions will include the onsite apiary where the bees produce Northfields Allotments honey; a heritage plot with a World War II Anderson shelter; a wildlife-friendly shed made from recycled materials; and a traditional potager plot. In addition, there will be a refreshment stall selling tea, coffee and cakes; plant and produce stalls; kids activities; planting demos; and the Damson Tree Bar where visitors can enjoy a drink in the hard. Entry is FREE, although donations will be welcome. Visitors should come to the main allotment gates at the north end of Northfield Avenue in West Ealing (opposite Dean Court). Dogs are allowed if kept on a lead.

For anyone with an interest in gardening, London’s history or simply curious about what takes places on a modern urban allotment, this will be an unmissable event.

Christina Fox, chairman of the Ealing Dean Allotment Society, said: “Our fourth Summer Open Day comes at an important point in the history of Northfield Allotments. Our plotholders spent last year worrying that part of the site would be built on, however these development plans seem to have been put on hold for the time being. That said, the threat hasn’t gone away so we intend to make the most of this opportunity to celebrate our wonderful green space.

“Our open days have always been really well supported by the local community. Last summer, over 700 guests came to our historic site and I know I speak for all of our plotholders when I say that we are really excited to be inviting visitors back through the gates again this year.”

The site is currently held in trust by the housing charity Pathways and managed by the Ealing Dean Allotment Society (EDAS), which consists of allotment tenants.

In September 2016, plotholders at Northfields Allotments were informed by Pathways that it intends to construct a mixed social and private housing development on part of the allotment site, a proposal that plotholders and local residents are currently opposing.

A petition opposing the development has been set up and can be accessed here:

June 11th 2018