Allotments

Apart from providing low cost food, they also provide valuable recreational opportunities involving healthy activity and social contacts.  Allotments are significant to our green spaces and provide habitats for many forms of wildlife.

Allotments have evolved through a rich and varied history of social and economic change, the most notable being the 2nd World War where the public were encouraged to 'Grow their own Greens' and 'Dig for Britain'.  The first legislative reforms date back to the Enclosures Act of 1845.

Today, the Council has a statutory requirement to provide allotments for the public.

Taking on an allotment plot is not all hard work; it can have many advantages, providing fresh home grown vegetables, fruit and flowers for you and your family, free from artificial additives and at a fraction of that you would have expected to pay in a supermarket or greengrocer.

There is also the social side, meeting new friends with similar interests and enabling you to enjoy a healthy outdoor life with gentle exercise and a place to relax and unwind.

We have five allotments in Bushey and Potters Bar.  Parish Council and Allotment Associations are responsible for other allotments in the Borough.  Allotments are rented out to the public for a small annual fee.

If you would like to rent an allotment contact Hertsmere's Allotments Officer on telephone: 0208 207 7519.

Bushey Allotments - location and features

Finch Lane Allotments, Finch Lane - Bushey

• A 6-acre site with 79 plots
• Water standpipes
• Secure gates and fencing
• Sensitively managed wildlife area
• Newly laid hedge

Merry Hills Allotments, Merry Hill Road - Bushey

• A 12.5-acre site with 55 plots
• Bushey Horticultural Society trading hut
• Water standpipes
• Hard standing car park

Windmill Lane Allotments, Windmill Lane - Bushey

• A 4-acre site with 57 plots
• Split into three areas
• Main area entrance in Windmill Lane.  Other entrance from Clay Lane (next to park)
• Water standpipes
• New gates and fence around perimeter

Potters Bar Allotments - location and features

Emfield Road Allotments, Aberdale Gardens - Potters Bar

• A 1-acre site with 13 plots
• Water standpipes
• Secure fence around perimeter

Kimptons Mead Allotments, Kimptons Mead - Potters Bar

• A 2.5-acre site with 20 plots
• Hard standing car park
• One site water
• New gates and fence around perimeter
• Wildlife site bordering with allotment
• New native species hedge planted

Parish Council Allotments

Other allotment sites are run by the parish councils. For further information contact them directly:

Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council
tel: 0208 207 1382

Shenley Parish Council
tel: 01923 854413

Radlett Parish Council
tel: 01923 856 433

Allotment fees

Allotments	Annual Fee (2008-09)
Per half plot (5 poles)	£9
Per full plot (10 poles)	£18

" Allotments - A Plot Holder's Guide" is available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister website, which may contain more useful information.