The Open Country Allotment

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We acquired our plot at the Jubilee Allotments near Knaresborough in 2011 when the site was just a ploughed field. Our allotment has since come on leaps and bounds and now has sheds, a greenhouse, two ponds, a fruit garden, raised beds and a tree nursery.

We enjoy a variety of activities, including gardening, cooking, bushcraft skills, scarecrow-making and gnome painting! We learn about practical horticultural skills, as well as food growing and healthy eating. The produce we grow is used to make lots of delicious things which we make and cook down the allotment such as jams and chutneys, soups, courgette fritters, onion bahjis, sag aloo, salads and vegetable hotpots, kebabs and stir fries.

Our regular allotment group meets on Fridays from March to November and spends time down the allotment as well as enjoying trips out to gardens and nature reserves. Please get in touch if you would like to join us down the allotment; we always welcome new faces and appreciate help with all the jobs!

Coming to the allotment gives me a great feeling of calm. I like to bring a packed lunch and a book and spend time enjoying the peace and beauty of the place.

Phil

Open Country Volunteer

A group of people picking fruit at an allotment

Picking blackcurrants to make cordial

It’s a relaxing and supportive environment. I feel like talking about myself when I’m here. I don’t always like doing that, but it feels safe and I can say more than I normally would. I’m really enjoying it.

Ian

Allotment Group Member

A group of people standing behind a bench with allotment produce on.

Watch our video about what the allotment means to us

We like to look after the wildlife on our allotment too. We have put up bird and bat boxes, built two wildlife ponds and a bog garden, made toad homes, a minibeast hotel and a hedgehog house, and have planted many insect friendly plants.

In 2018 we were delighted to receive the Gold Award in the Wildlife Friendly Garden Awards. Harrogate District Biodiversity Action Group’s award scheme recognises the good work of individuals, groups and schools to help local wildlife by creating havens for bird and insect populations to flourish. In 2023 we achieved the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife Gardening Award.

Get In Touch

Community House, 46 East Parade, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5LT

01423 507227 (Harrogate Hub), 07426 716677 (Wakefield Hub)

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Registered Charity No: 1107331 Company No: 5155859

Open Country Yorkshire