Northfields Allotment, London’s oldest surviving allotment site, will is hosting its annual summer open day on 6 July 2025 with an afternoon that promises a mix of horticulture, history and homemade cake.
Tucked away on Northfield Avenue in West Ealing, the site has cultivated more than vegetables since its founding in 1832 by the Bishop of London. With 173 fully rented plots and a waiting list over 450, it remains one of the most popular allotments in the capital.
This year, the open day from 1pm to 5pm, introduces a new attraction: a history trail that brings the site’s rich past into view. Visitors can follow a specially curated map to discover quirky old sheds and unearth artefacts found on-site – from vintage glass bottles to 1970s crisp packets – items plotholders have stumbled upon over the years.
Other highlights include tours of the thriving plots, an apiary, a WWII Anderson shelter and a wildlife-friendly shed built from salvaged materials. There’ll also be cake and coffee, a barbecue, a bar, and stalls selling plants and produce. Displays will showcase the best-kept plots, judged on traditional allotment standards.
Entry is free, with donations encouraged to support the community space. Dogs are welcome if kept on a lead.
Christina Fox, chair of the allotments committee, said: “The plots are full of life at this time of year, and we’re excited to share not just what’s growing, but some of the allotment’s hidden history too. It’s a great day out for all ages.”
