People in the UK have been quietly pootling around their vegetable patches for centuries. But in recent years we’ve been stepping it up a gear. Not since World War II’s ‘Dig For Victory’ campaign has the UK felt such an affinity with its soil
Thanks to a combination of concerns over the credit crunch, organic growing and food provenance growing patches are appearing in the most unlikely of places. As we head into National Allotments Week, 4Food rounds up 10 of the most remarkable around the UK.
Seventy five acres sitting smack-bang in the middle of one of the UK's most bad-mouthed areas, the crumbling 1930s glasshouses and Grade II listed Victorian flat-pack hut make this perhaps the UK’s most atmospheric allotments site.
Dig in: St Anns Allotments
Even the hopeless patches of disused land alongside railway tracks have not gone unnoticed by green-fingered enthusiasts. After a successful trial at the Stapleton Road station in Bristol, Network Rail are under pressure from campaigners in other parts of the UK to free up land for veg growing.
Dig in: Eastside Roots
At the foot of this Southwark council block, a flourishing allotment has taken the place of the usual dog exercising patch. Artist Fritz Haeg was commissioned by Tate Modern to instigate the work as part of his Edible Estates campaign and the residents have embraced the opportunity with gusto.
Dig in: Bankside Open Spaces Trust (click on 'Open Places' then go to the 'Housing Land' icon link)
Derelict for 40 years, these Victorian kitchen gardens have been carefully restored by the National Trust for use by the local community. Traditional dry-stone walls were erected and Victorian path edgings sourced to evoke the site’s original state.
Dig in: Beddgelert Allotments
For the first time since World War II’s 'Dig for Victory' campaign the Queen has got out the old crushed velvet kneeler and planted some veg in the backyard, including the rather raunchy-sounding 'Blue Queen' beans. And perhaps some snozzcumbers…
Dig in: Queen’s Allotment
In November 2008 local residents clubbed together to buy this land from a local farmer. Now they plant their crops where English and Welsh forces spilt each other’s blood in the 13th century and King Arthur supposedly made merry with Guinevere.
Dig in: Knucklas Castle Allotments
In Hackney, east London, there are plans to convert some of British Waterways' old barges into floating allotments as part of the 'Capital Growth' project instigated by London mayor Boris Johnson. Lock it in.
Dig in: British Waterways Hackney Project
The developers of the Noho Square project in central London have agreed to local residents planting crops in grow bags on the 2.5 acre site before work gets underway. Restaurants on nearby Charlotte Street are supporting the 'Growho' project by promising to buy their veg from the plot holders.
Dig in: Growho
In West Yorkshire, one town is going bananas for brassicas and turning the whole place into a huge allotment. Todmorden aims to never have to call out for vegetables again come 2018. Stand still for a second and you’ll be mulched.
Dig in: Incredible Edible Todmorden
A victim of the development of the Olympic site, this site was remarkable for the strength of the plot holders' community spirit - and their fantastic barbecues - against the bleakest of industrial backdrops.
Dig in: Life is Land
Grow your own with the 4Food growing guides
The River Cottage guide to setting up an allotment
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s Landshare scheme
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