Allotments and Community Gardens in Durham

Durham is a small city with a surprising amount of growing going on. Tucked between the terraces of Crossgate, the slopes above Flass Vale and the estates of Newton Hall and Belmont are allotment sites where people have been raising leeks, beans and dahlias for generations. If you fancy a plot of your own, or just want to get your hands dirty alongside other people, here is how it works in DH1 and where to start.

How to get an allotment in Durham

Most allotments in and around the city belong to Durham County Council, but not all of them. Some are owned by town or parish councils, and some are run day to day by an allotment association. Who owns the site decides who you apply to, so it is worth checking first.

County council sites

For council-owned sites, you apply online through Durham County Council's allotments page (search "allotments" on durham.gov.uk). You must be over 18 and live in County Durham. There is a separate waiting list for each site, and plots are offered on a first come, first served basis when a tenant gives one up, so the council cannot predict how long you will wait. Apply early and be patient.

The council also publishes an interactive map of allotment sites across the county showing who owns and manages each one. It is the quickest way to find out what is near you, whether you live near the site off Farnham Close on Newton Hall or over towards Gilesgate, Belmont or Neville's Cross. If the map has no contact details for a site, the council suggests simply visiting and chatting to plot holders, which is good advice anyway.

A useful halfway step is the co-worker option. Each plot has one tenant and can have one named co-worker who helps look after it (without tenancy rights). If you know someone with a plot who is struggling to keep on top of it, this is a friendly way in.

Rents

County council rents are now set by the size of your individual plot, in six bands, and are rising in stages: there are increases from 1 November 2026 and again from 1 November 2027. Check the current table on the council's allotments page before you sign up. Sites run by allotment associations or parish councils set their own rents.

Rules are changing

In 2026 the council consulted on an updated allotment policy and tenancy agreement, with proposals that included lowering the minimum cultivation level and relaxing some older rules. Read the current policy on the council website before you take on a plot so you know what is expected.

Allotment sites worth knowing

St Margaret's Allotments, Crossgate

The best known allotments in the city sit just west of the peninsula, behind the Norman church of St Margaret of Antioch. St Margaret's Allotments has almost 100 plots running down the hillside with a classic view of the cathedral, and it is owned by the St Margaret's Allotments Association. Many of the gardeners use organic and no-dig methods, and plenty of plots have ponds and rainwater collection.

The site shares its land with the churchyard and the St Margaret's Centre, with entrances from Margery Lane and Crossgate, and the paths are generally open for a wander. It has opened for the National Garden Scheme and hosts occasional community events with the church and the Friends of St Margaret's Churchyard. It is around ten minutes on foot from the bus and railway stations.

Best for: Best for: a cathedral-view stroll and a chat with seasoned organic growers.

North End Allotments, Larches Road

On a south-facing slope above Flass Vale, North End Allotments on Larches Road is a good example of a parish-owned site. The City of Durham Parish Council took over ownership from the county council, and the North End Allotment Association handles much of the day-to-day running. Holders grow a wide mix of fruit, vegetables and flowers.

Because it is not a county site, enquiries about plots go to the City of Durham Parish Council rather than the county waiting list. The site has opened its gates for Heritage Open Days in September with tea, cake and homemade produce, and it pairs nicely with a walk through the Flass Vale woodland next door.

Best for: Best for: city-centre growers on the west side who want a parish-run site.

Gardens where you can learn and help

No plot yet? You can still learn a lot by visiting and volunteering at the city's bigger gardens.

Durham University Botanic Garden

Durham University Botanic Garden on Hollingside Lane covers around 25 acres of woodland and themed planting on the southern edge of the city. It is a lovely place to pick up ideas, and a charity, the Friends of Durham Botanic Garden, was set up in 2024 with practical volunteering among its aims. Contact the garden to ask about current opportunities.

Best for: Best for: inspiration, plant ideas and a possible route into garden volunteering.

Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

A short drive west at Ushaw Moor, Ushaw has around 30 acres of parkland, gardens and woodland. Volunteers have been bringing its derelict gardens back to life since 2017, much of the early work done by hand, and the gardens were shortlisted for the Historic Houses Garden of the Year Award in 2024. Ushaw lists volunteering roles that include tending the formal gardens; see the Get Involved section of its website.

Best for: Best for: hands-on garden volunteering in a historic setting.

Tips before you start

• Visit first. Walk round a site on a weekend morning and talk to plot holders. You will learn more about waiting times, soil and the community than any form will tell you.
• Start small. A full plot is a big commitment. Ask whether smaller plots or co-working are an option.
• Join the association. Where there is one, membership often brings cheaper seeds and compost, shared tools and plenty of advice.
• Plan for winter. Autumn is a good time to take on a plot: clear it, cover it and be ready to plant in spring.

If you are after more green space while you wait for a plot, our guides to parks and gardens in Durham and the best walks in Durham are a good place to start.

Know a Durham allotment site, community garden or growing group we have missed? Let us know and we will add it.