Nuffield Road Allotments

The Nuffield Road Allotments are situated in East Chesterton adjacent to the busway access route to Cambridge North railway station. The enclosed site is set within an area of mixed residential and commercial buildings and the Bramblefields local nature reserve.

There are 83 designated plots, including a mixture of whole, half and quarter plots. With some tenants enjoying various combinations of plot sizes, we have a thriving membership and excellent facilities.

In 2021 we set up a Community Garden as an alternative and additional way to become a member and allotment gardener. This has created opportunities to share, learn and cultivate within groups in a friendly and social environment.

Join our waiting list

If you’d like to join the community please apply to be added to our waiting list. If we can’t find you a plot we will try and invite you to become part of our community garden until a suitable plot becomes available.

Join the waiting list

Becoming a plotholder

Anyone in the local area can join our waiting list to get a plot. The site is owned by Cambridge City Council, but is run by the Nuffield Road Allotment Society who manage the waiting list and plot allocation.

Benefits

There are loads of benefits to having an allotment plot!

Fresh produce: Growing your own fruit, vegetables and flowers is a real blessing. As well as something to be really proud of, you can save money and eat more seasonably. Members can share their excess produce with each other too.

Make friends: The site is a very social place so you’ll get to know like-minded people from the local area and share stories, tips and ideas.

Get active: Digging ain’t easy! Having a plot is a really great way to stay active and enjoy some fresh air.

Connect with nature: You’ll see the seasons changing and enjoy lots of flowers and wildlife. Take a walk in Bramblefields nature reserve (through the back gate of the allotment site).

Hidden benefits: Researchers at the Universities of Westminster and Essex found that one session of allotment gardening can result in significant improvements in both self-esteem and mood (via reductions in tension, depression, anger, and confusion)

What to expect

The size of plot offered to you will likely be a quarter plot or half plot, which can take quite a bit of work and TLC to get into shape.

After it’s in shape, an allotment is a significant time commitment and requires a lot of consistent work; you can expect to spend anywhere from 4-10 hours a week at the site (during the summer/peak growing season) and 2-4 hours (during the winter).

We do expect allotment holders to work their allotments. Taking on an allotment is a major commitment. You need to be able to devote several hours per week for a large part of the year.

The waiting list

Our waiting list is not as big as some other sites in Cambridge and plots become available from time to time throughout the year. In the meantime, we will try to get you involved in our community garden while you are on the waiting list - this means you can get involved and make friends while you wait for a plot of your own.

Community garden

The community garden offers
- an introduction to growing fruit and vegetables
- access for those currently waiting for an allotment plot to become available
- shared space for those who either are unable to manage a plot or simply prefer to garden with others.

We recognise that there is a wide variety of experience and knowledge among the participants and that many of our gardeners benefit from some guidance and support to achieve encouraging results. Planning and cultivating in small teams provides an opportunity to learn and share knowledge.

*Mid-summer meeting of the community gardeners in 2021.*

The community garden is approx 400m² laid out in beds with composting bins and a shed, well equipped with tools.

To keep the shared areas of the garden well tended we need a commitment to around 5-6 hours per month in the team sessions. Participating, hands on, in garden projects from pruning to watering, planting to compost making is the most effective way to develop gardening skills and have fun too.

Personal beds

In the centre of the garden there are 18 beds, each approximately 5m². These beds are allotted to community gardeners to grow anything they’d like to (except perennials). It’s a great opportunity to practice square foot gardening or no-dig gardening on your own piece of land.

Communal beds

There are a number of communal beds that are an opportunity for shared planting and harvesting. Some of these beds are reserved for asparagus, herbs, artichokes and strawberries. The other beds can be used for growing potatoes, corn, beans, pumpkins, courgettes, tomatoes, etc.

Fruit trees and fruit bushes

Around the perimeter of the garden are lots of lovely mature fruit trees and fruit bushes. Members of the community garden can enjoy apples, pears, plums, damsons and cherries, as well as lots of berries, currants and rhubarb.

Annual fees

Plot fees

Full plot: £40/year. Approx. 200m².

Half plot: £20/year. Approx. 100m².

Quarter plot: £10/year. Approx. 50m².

Shed rental: £8/year.

Subscription fees

This is required for all our members and includes affiliation to the National Allotment Society. Currently £3/year.

Plot deposit

You must provide a deposit of £20 when you first take on a plot. This will be returned to you when you leave, unless you leave the plot in a state that is not in accordance with the site rules. View the latest Tenancy Agreement Conditions and Bye-laws here.

Community Garden

To participate in the community garden you must become an associate (£10/year) and pay a subscription fee (see above). This will entitle you to a share of the garden space and to participate in the Allotment Society activities and use of the facilities

Key deposits & lost key fees

You must provide a deposit for a gate key of £20 per key and if you are renting a shed you will need to pay a deposit of £10 per key. The deposits will be returned when you return your keys.

In the result of a lost key you will need to pay for a replacement. This will be £20 for a gate key and £10 for a shed key.

All fees due by 1 September each year.

The committee