Published: 10 June 2025

Allotments are making a comeback. Allotments across the UK are now attracting home growers from all walks of life. This was triggered partly by lockdown and social media making gardening trendy. Providing fresh produce, a sense of independence, sustainability, and a whole range of mental and physical health benefits, allotments are now receiving a whole lot of love. But where did the allotment tradition begin, and how has it transformed over time?

Digging into the History of Allotments

The roots

The first allotment system traces back to medieval England. During this time, peasants farmed common land, which was available to everyone in the village. However, after the Enclosure Acts (from the 1600s to the 1800s) saw the privatisation of common land, many people were left without a way to grow food. Someone came up with the idea of allocating small plots of land to the poor for food cultivation. And so, allotments began.

The shoots

During the following centuries, more and more land became privatised, but proper provisions weren’t being made for the people who didn’t own any land. The General Enclosure Act of 1845 marked a turning point, leading to the formalisation of allotments. From then on, landowners were required to provide allotments for those who had previously relied on common land. These plots were primarily intended to help the rural poor survive during times of hardship, especially with the rise of industrialisation and urban poverty.

Digging for victory

War changes priorities. So, during World War I and World War II, allotments stopped being a provision for the poor and started being a concern for everyone. With food imports disrupted, the whole of the UK was encouraged to “Dig for Victory”. Public parks, sports fields, and private gardens were transformed into productive land. Allotments became a symbol of national resilience, helping to feed the country and boost morale during times of rationing. This continued into the immediate post-war period.

Lying fallow

After World War II, the demand for allotments declined as food became more readily available and lifestyles changed. Urban development also put pressure on allotment spaces, many of which were sold off for housing. In the 1980s and 90s, allotments all but disappeared, with only small plots being retained for those determined to enjoy the serenity of feeling the soil in their hands, and the flavour of homegrown fruit and vegetables.

New growth

While allotment life fell out of fashion, allotments never completely disappeared. As interest in organic food, environmental sustainability, and the link between contact with nature and mental health developed, more people began returning to the soil. Allotment waiting lists began to grow, especially in urban areas. Then, during the Covid-19 pandemic, allotments experienced a true renaissance.

A bountiful harvest

Today, allotments are more than just places to grow food. They’re community hubs, providing a place to connect, not just with nature, but with other people. Attracting people of all ages. Many modern plots are shared by families, schools, and even therapeutic gardening groups. They play a key role in promoting sustainable living and food security while providing individuals with the chance to breathe.

Throughout their history, allotments have frequently been places of necessity. Feeding the hungry when no other food was to be had. Now, in a world of global commerce, where we can purchase goods produced in almost every country of the world, allotments answer other needs. Connection. Education. Acceptance. And physical and mental growth. And they remain a vital part of our social and environmental landscape.

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