Allotments Information

But there are many other reasons why more and more people are getting back into allotment gardening. Allotments are now popular with all sectors of the community, irrespective of age, sex, social or cultural background. They are a great place for people to meet, socialise, and swap advice, seeds and crops. When you go on to a site you are likely to see a well-cultivated site with very few if any vacant plots.

This is not unique to Bassetlaw, nationally there has been a significant increase in demand, and with waiting lists being the norm.

Don’t worry if you have not gardened before there are lots of ways that we can help.

So if you want to know more then talk to our staff.

Where are the Allotments?

Bassetlaw District Council has over 20 allotment sites in use at the present time in Retford and Worksop. Besides the District council there are other providers of allotments throughout Bassetlaw. Contact your local parish or town council to find out if there are any allotments in your area.

List of sites:

Retford:

Albert Road
Denman Close
Leafield
Grove Road
Manvers Road
Milnercroft
Newtown
Rufford Avenue
Strawberry Road
Trinity Road
Whinney Moor Lane

Worksop:

Bracebridge
Bracebridge Avenue
Cheapside
Gateford Road
Keats Crescent
Spur Crescent
Stubbing Meadows 1
Stubbing Meadows 2
Stubbing Meadows 3
Valley Road

Claylands Avenue (Run by Claylands Avenue Gardening Society).

How can I get more advice?

You will find allotment gardeners are very keen to offer help and advice when you start gardening. Each site operated by the District council also has a site steward who will be available to show you around the site, answer your questions and give advice.

Federation of City Farms & Community Gardens
The Greenhouse, Hereford Street,
Bristol. BS3 4NA
Tel: 0117 923 1800 Email: admin@farmgarden.org.uk

National Society of Allotments,
Leisure Gardens Ltd
O’Dell House, Hunters Road,
Corby, Northants NN17 5JE
Tel: 01536 266576 Email: natsoc@nsalg.org.uk

Allotment tips

If you are new to the world of allotment gardening, here are some tips to help get you started!

Go for a plot that is a size which is suitable for you.
You can always ask for a half plot, these are perfect for beginner gardeners!

Decide on plot layout & crops
Knowing which areas of the plot experiences sun and shade will help you to understand which crops will need to be planted in the right location to ensure they thrive.

Clear the area of weeds & debris
Weeds are the constant struggle of all gardeners, but by clearing the area of weeds and any debris first you can then focus on breaking the soil up by digging or rotavating to begin planting.

Soil
Knowing what soil you will be planting into will help ensure you get the most out of your produce.

The different types of soil: Clay, peat, chalk, sand, silt and loam.

Waste
Most allotment waste and be composted. Find out more on our home composting page.

Don’t be afraid to ask!
Most allotment sites will have a site steward who can offer you any advice and suggestions to help you!

FAQs

What should my plot look like? Each gardener has their own technique. A well cultivated plot should be productive (growing produce or in readiness for growing for example in winter) and free of weeds and rubbish.

I’m struggling with my plot, what should I do? If you have a full plot and you are struggling with the upkeep, consider going down to a half plot. You can also get a Co-Worker to help you with the plot. (Please request a form from the Allotment office).

I want to put a shed or polytunnel on my plot. Please see the document Conditions for The Erection of Temporary Sheds, Greenhouses And Polytunnels On, Allotment Sites and the Application To Erect A Building On An Allotment Site.

This should be in your welcome pack but you can also request this by contacting the Allotment Office. Any building put onto an allotment site must be approved by the council.

I want chickens on my plot. You can have chickens on your plot (not cockerels or any other poultry) you must fill in the relevant forms (please request from the Allotment office) and register on the UK Government website.

Renting a Council Allotment

Firstly, please use the maps to help locate your preferred site (larger scale maps can be provided upon request).

Then contact our Parks and Open Spaces Team on (01909) 534 525 or email allotment.enquiries@bassetlaw.gov.uk to check the availability of plots on your chosen sites. If there are any vacancies we will provide you with the contact details of the relevant site steward who will meet you on site and show you any vacant plots.

Should you want to proceed our Site Steward will provide you with an application form. Please complete this form and return it to our Parks and Open Spaces Office at West House, Carlton Forest Depot, Hundred Acre Lane, Carlton Forest, Worksop, Notts S81 0TS.

We will then have a Tenancy Agreement drawn up which you will be asked to sign. Please note that until this Agreement is returned you do not have any tenancy rights and the plot will be offered to other prospective tenants.

How we charge you - Allotment water costs

Water charges are based on actual site water usage (volume) within the current billing period and those costs are then determined to the size of your individual allotment plot(s)

For example: a bigger plot will pay more than a smaller plot due to the area cultivated being much greater and using more water.

We charge you for 2024 as the charge is determined from the usage through the water supply for the year.

We also include any annual fixed and standing charges as applied by the water supplier.

Please see an example of this is worked out:

Meter readings are taken from water switch on in March.
Meter readings are taken from water switch off in November.
We calculate the amount of water usage for the site from the meter readings and charge using the costs provided on the water bills.
Annual fixed and / or standing charges per site are divided up by site occupancy.
You are charged these costs.

Waiting Lists

We operate a waiting list for our allotment sites. Some sites have a higher waiting list than others, so the length of time people wait for a plot varies. We do not provide automatic updates on your position on the waiting list.

When your name gets to the top of the waiting list for the chosen site you have specified, we will contact you when a plot becomes available. We will use the contact details you have provided, so please ensure we have the correct contact details otherwise you may lose your position on the waiting list.

Procedure:

When you are contacted by us, you will have 14 days to contact the site steward to view the vacant plot and inform us if you wish to accept the plot. If no response is received, we will assume that you are no longer interested in having an allotment and will remove your details from the waiting list and it will be offered to the next person on the waiting list.
Should you wish to proceed please complete by signing the Tenancy Agreement we post to you and returning it back to us at Parks and Open Spaces Office at West House, Carlton Forest Depot, Hundred Acre Lane, Carlton Forest, Worksop, Notts S81 0TS.

Please note until a signed copy of the Tenancy Agreement is returned to us, you do not have any tenancy rights to the plot and any offer will be withdrawn -You must return the Tenancy Agreement within 28 days of the date on your Tenancy Agreement letter otherwise we will offer the plot tenancy to other prospective tenants.

Rental Charges

Visit our Rent an allotment plot page for details of rental charges

Smaller-sized plots

Should the prospect of cultivating a large area be too time-consuming or overwhelming, we offer where possible the option to have the plot split and instead take a half plot.

Last Updated on Wednesday, February 19, 2025