About allotments

There are over 2,000 plots on 23 council-managed allotment sites in the borough. There are additional plots on two independently managed sites. 

Page contents

• About the plots
• Waiting list
• Allotment rents
• Borough of Richmond Allotment Group
• Allotment tenancy agreement
• Terms and conditions
• Allotment strategy

About the plots

Most of our allotments plots are 5 rods (approximately 125 square metres), although our smaller sites do tend to have much smaller plots.

All the sites are fitted with communal water taps that are generally within easy reach of most plots. We do not provide sheds or greenhouses, but sometimes new tenants may be able to negotiate to take over a building owned by the outgoing tenant.

Renting an allotment does not require any experience or knowledge. They are open to everyone. There are experienced gardeners on most sites who will be happy to support new plot holders. There are a large range of books and websites, as well as YouTube videos on allotment gardening.

Commitment required

A well maintained plot of 5 rods or 125 square metres will take approximately six hours care each week, more in some months, less in others. An available plot may well have been neglected so is likely to take considerable time and physical effort to bring back to the required standard.

Consider the site

Visit your preferred site to chat to a committee member and other plot holders. Get a feel for the place. Consider your travelling time, ease of access and carriage of any equipment or supplies.

Most sites have volunteer committees that undertake some aspects of the council’s role in caring for their respective plots and present their members views to the council. All sites have experienced gardeners only too willing to help or advise new plot holders and so communities develop as facilities, ideas, problems and benefits are shared.

Waiting list

Our waiting lists for most sites are over 5 years, and in the case of smaller sites much longer. We recognise the demand for allotments far outstripped supply so from 2010 we restricted applications to one allotment per household. This means that people living at the same address can only have one allotment plot – a husband and wife, parent and child, or friends sharing the same house cannot have a plot each.

Please look at our waiting list page before you apply to understand the number of plots on each site, the number of people on the list and the number of plots let over the last 3 years for that site.  You can only apply for one site – we will refuse to accept applications from people who try to apply to multiple sites and will remove you from all waiting lists.

Allotment rents

Rents are calculated on an annual basis according to plot size. You can pay your rent online.

The prices vary depending on if you are a resident of the borough. Prices are valid from 1 April 2024.

Residents

The price for Richmond upon Thames residents is £23.20 per 25 square metres.

The concessions prices are £11.50 per 25 square metres and are available for those residents who are over 60, unemployed, claim disability benefits, students or those on low income.

Senior Citizens - in order to be eligible for a reduced charge for an allotment in 2024/25 you will need to be at least 60 on 1 October 2024, the date when the payment becomes due.

Non-residents

All non-residents will pay £46.50 per 25 square metres and are not eligible for any concessions. These fees apply to people who already hold an allotment. We cannot take applications from people who live out of borough.

Borough of Richmond Allotment Group

The council takes overall responsibility for managing allotments, working very closely with the Borough of Richmond Allotment Group (BRAG), which is made up of representatives from different allotment sites. BRAG meets quarterly and hold their annual general meeting December.

The mission statement for BRAG is as follows:

• BRAG believes in the intrinsic value of allotment gardening as a way of:
  • Growing healthy food with fewer chemicals
  • Providing exercise, fresh air and horticultural education to the wider community
  • Promoting physical and mental health and well-being
  • Reducing food bills
  • Reducing food miles and carbon emissions
  • Promoting community and social values within and beyond the allotment community
  • Preserving wildlife and biodiversity
  • Providing access to land for all Borough residents over 18, regardless of income and housing status
• BRAG canvasses, represents and defends the majority views and interests of allotment holders in the borough of Richmond both now and into the future
• BRAG acts co-operatively with the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames to develop and implement the allotment strategy
• BRAG maintains an open and creative response to ideas for change that promote better management of allotments
• BRAG promotes the exchange of knowledge, experience, best practice and social connections across allotment sites in the borough

Tenancy agreement

View the allotment tenancy agreement to understand tenant responsibilities and the terms for tenancy termination.

Terms and conditions

All plot holders must adhere to the terms and conditions to ensure the appropriate use of each site, and the enduring harmony with fellow plot holders and surrounding neighbours. Sensible restrictions apply to such things as buildings, bonfires, crops and trees.

Allotment strategy 2019 to 2029

View our allotment strategy (pdf, 1MB) which focuses on improving the service over the next ten years.