According to the Royal Horticultural Society, 2020 saw over 3.5 million taking up gardening for the first time. With this new burst of love for gardening, community gardening is on the rise. They can be used to grow fresh fruit and vegetables, provide a place for wildlife, and safe public spaces in urban areas. With hundreds of community gardens popping up around the UK, discover some of our favourite community gardens renowned for their beauty.

Mount Pleasant Community Garden, Cornwall

Near Porthtowan in Cornwall, the Mount Pleasant Community Garden has been developed as a flexible, imaginative community resource. The ethos of the space focuses on providing a productive, sustainable and beautiful community space for all to enjoy.

Since autumn 2010, the Mount Pleasant Community Garden has provided an organic growing space for their local community. Now, along with their large onsite growing space, is a rain water harvesting system, and a composting space and polytunnel. Their fantastic community project focuses on increasing the knowledge and access to healthy fresh fruit and vegetables.

Culpeper Community Garden, Islington

A green oasis in the heart of busy Islington. Culpeper Community Garden is one of the most valued green public spaces in the city. Serving as a park and an environmental community project, their organic garden bursts with a rich variety of plants.

The organic garden comprises a lawn, ponds, rose pergolas, ornamental beds, vegetable plots, seating and a wildlife area. It also contains 50 plots including 2 raised beds for disabled gardeners. These small gardens are for community groups, children, and for people living nearby who do not have gardens.

Martineau Gardens, Birmingham

Martineau Gardens form a therapeutic environment of over two acres of organically maintained land, two miles from the City Centre. The Gardens include a substantial wildlife area, formal gardens, a vegetable plot, an orchard and herb beds.

As an oasis for wildlife, a haven of tranquillity, and a destination for an outdoor escape, there are two and a half beautiful acres at this stunning garden worth exploring. The community garden focuses on social inclusivity by promoting volunteers to mix with other people, to join in purposeful activities, and improve their physical fitness and emotional wellbeing.