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Allotment Gardening in Kingston

In recent years the public has become more concerned with the quality of food available. More people are looking for ways of obtaining locally produced, low cost, healthy and organic food.

Allotment gardening offers Kingston’s residents an opportunity to experience a unique outdoor leisure activity with the added benefit of producing fresh fruit and vegetables, having light and regular exercise, and getting out and making new friends with similar interests.

Allotment Strategy 2008 - 2018

A 10 year strategy for Allotments in Kingston was adopted by the Council’s Executive Committee in March 2008. The strategy was developed in partnership with the Council’s grounds maintenance partners contractors Quadron Services Ltd (Quadron) and the Kingston Federation of Allotment Gardeners (KFAG).Quadron are responsible for the management of the council run allotments (direct managed).  You can view the Allotment Strategy by opening the document at the bottom of the page.

Thank you to all those of who contributed to the consultation of the strategy. You can view all the comments and responses by downloading the Consultation Comment Document at the bottom of the page

Where can I find my nearest site?

There are 23 allotment sites in the Borough: eight are run through individual allotment voluntary management committee. The remainder are directly managed by Quadron on behalf of the Council.

What is Voluntary Management?

Voluntary management gives allotment gardeners the opportunity to run their own sites and improve facilities. Plot holders elect a management committee who then take over the management of the site from the Council. The committee collect rent from the plot holders and an annual rental is paid to the Council. This means that groups can plough any profits back into the site, to improve facilities or buy equipment. Voluntary managed sites also generally have thriving social calendars too!

Is there a site near me?

Voluntary Managed

• Park Road, Kingston
• Wolsey Drive (Cardinal Avenue), Kingston
• Kingston Vale, Robin Hood Way, SW15
• Elm Road, New Malden
• Alric Avenue, Cambridge Avenue, New Malden
• Beverley Park, Park View, New Malden
• Malden Manor, Manor Drive North, New Malden
• Hook Leisure Gardens, Hook Road, Chessington

Direct Managed (by Quadron on behalf of the Council)

• Parkfields , Kingston
• Dickerage Road, Kingston (in preparation for voluntary management 2009)
• Kingston Road, New Malden
• Groveland Way, New Malden
• Kingshill Avenue, Worcester Park
• Raeburn Avenue, Surbiton
• Tolworth Main, King Charles Road, Surbiton
• Knollmead, Tolworth
• Churchfields, Church Lane, Chessington
• Moor Lane, Chessington
• Ladywood Road, Tolworth
• Wilverley Crescent, New Malden
• Grange Road, Kingston
• Addison Gardens,  Surbiton(in preparation for voluntary management 2009)

A location map of the sites is available to download at the bottom of the page

How big is a plot?

Allotment plots vary in size. A full size plot is approximately 250 square metres and half size plot is up to 125 square metres. A full size plot will easily produce enough vegetables to feed a large family but for new plot holders can be quite an undertaking. A smaller plot may be less intimidating in the first instance, but will still produce plenty of vegetables for a smaller family.

How much does it cost?

The 2008 cost of renting an allotment plot on a direct managed site is as follows:

Full size plot £61.00

Half size plot £30.50

Reduced rate for those over 60 is £30.50 and £15.25 respectively

Voluntary managed sites fix their own rent.

Each year the cost of plots increase in line with inflation. The baseline rent has not been reviewed for 15 years. In 2008/09 the baseline rent will be reviewed and therefore we anticipate that the cost will increase above inflation in 2009/10 in line with neighbouring boroughs.

Is there a waiting list?

Availability depends on location. Some sites are full to capacity whereas others have available plots. Many available plots have not been in cultivation for several years and therefore may need extra work. If the plot is very overgrown it may be offered to you at a reduced rate for the first year.

Where can I find out more information?

If you wish to find out the availability of plots on an allotment site near to you or are interested in renting an allotment plot then please contact:

Quadron:  020 8546  9842

If you interested in contacting a voluntary managed site please contact Quadron who can provide you with the relevant details. Alternatively you can contact the Kingston Federation of Allotment Gardeners (details below).

Kingston Federation of Allotment Gardeners - promoting allotment gardening in Kingston

The Kingston Federation of Allotment Gardeners (KFAG) aim to promote allotment gardening in Kingston and provide information about the benefits of plot holder associations and voluntary management for council sites. The Federation also aims to build relationships, both within and between sites, so that ideas and experience can be shared.

If you would like to find out more about the Kingston Federation of Allotment Gardeners, please call the Secretary, Gloria Wallis on 020 8942 9686

This page was last updated on Monday 16 June 2008