The Get Growing Garden Trail is an opportunity to explore the city’s secret fruit and veg gardens – Bristol’s community allotments and orchards, smallholdings and mini plots, city farms and productive parks. For 2023, the Get Growing Trail will run over the weekend of 3–4 June, allowing visitors who get inspired, enough time to get growing themselves this year.
Watch this space for more information about the participating sites and read about the participants of last year’s Get Growing Trail.
Download last year’s Trail leaflet here:
https://www.bristolfoodnetwork.org/get-growing-garden-trail-2022-2/
Participating sites for 2022
Alive dementia-friendly allotment Brentry
Charlton Road Allotments, Brentry BS10 6JZ
Enter the allotment through the main gates. We’re the first plot on the right.
Sunday 18 September, 2–4pm
Come and visit Bristol’s first dementia-friendly allotment. We’ve been running sessions at the allotment for over a year now, so it should be a mass of colour and produce by September. We’re passionate about community growing projects and therapeutic horticulture at Alive, and would love to talk to you about them. Alternatively, just come and enjoy an open, peaceful, green space in North Bristol. aliveactivities.org · 07423 719 088
Alive Wellspring Settlement Community Gardening Group
The Wellspring Settlement, 43 Ducie Road, Barton Hill BS5 0AX
Saturday 17 September, 10am–1pm
Get involved in the new community garden flourishing in Barton Hill. Enjoy being surrounded in a colourful abundance of flowers, fruit and veg, and make origami seed packets to take home filled with seeds for flowers and veg next year. The site and activities are accessible.
Volunteer sessions every Thursday 1–4pm
aliveactivities.org/what-we-do/services/community-gardening
Blaise Community Garden
Next to Blaise Museum, off Church Lane BS10 7QS
With the museum on your right, go through a stone gateway, the entrance to the garden is directly in front you.
Saturday 17 September, 10am–2pm
Blaise Community Garden is an entirely volunteer led restoration project. Blaise Castle House is now a museum and the abandoned historic walled garden attached has become a place for people to grow food, friendship, flowers and fruit. We have introduced bee hives and created two ponds. We have ensured that areas are left uncultivated to encorage wildlife. Frogs and toads abound! Everything grown is shared by all the volunteers.
Volunteer sessions: Saturdays, Mondays & Wednesdays, 10am–2pm. No need to book.
blaisecommunitygarden.org.uk
Bramble Farm
Beckington Walk, Knowle BS3 5EA
Satnav postcode BS4 1AW. From Redcatch Road, enter Stockwood Crescent and we are midpoint around the crescent. Walk through the privet hedges on to Northern Slopes and turn right. Signs will lead the way!
Saturday 17 September, 11–4pm
Bramble Farm started-up more than 10 years ago when TV chef and campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall helped local residents set up a small-holding on disused land, which featured in the River Cottage TV programme. The farm is going strong with a solid group of committed local families who all muck in to make the farm a very special place. Come and have a look around, and have a bite to eat. See the animals and vegetable patch in this beautiful spot on the Northern Slopes.
Facebook: Bramble Farm Bristol
Bridge Farm
Glenfrome Road, Stapleton, BS16 1BQ
On the corner of Glenfrome Road and Bell Hill.
Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 September, 12–4pm
A bridge between city and country, this farm is emergent and creative, self-organising and inspiring with plants, perennial and vegetable, herbs and trees, animals, insects, people and history. We’re keen to meet budding community growers of all experience levels. Come be a part of something special. Bridge Farm will be open to all for both visits and volunteering. No need to book.
bridgefarmbristol.co.uk
Dame Emily Park Project
Dame Emily Park, Morley Road entrance, BS3 1DL
Bus 24 stops at Dean Lane park entrance. Open access site 24/7 all year round
Volunteers on site Saturday 17 September, 2–4pm
Planting, seeding and digging · Visit our Bee Village · Collect free herbs for visitors · Nature related kids activity · Have a chat over coffee and snacks
dameemilypark.com
Easton Community Garden
Gordon Road, Easton BS5 7EE
Just off Bristol to Bath Railway Path. Down drive between 58 and 60 Gordon Road. Large green gate on the left. Signs will be in place.
Sunday 18 September, 11am–4pm
A beautiful hidden retreat just off the cycle path. We grow vegetables, fruit, flowers, herbs and trees using permaculture methods. We aim to be as environmentally friendly as possible (we collect all our own water and make our own compost and plant feeds) and the garden is full of bees, butterflies, birds and frogs. On weekly drop in days we are open to everyone to learn, grow, make friends, share plants and harvests, or just sit and relax. No cost, no commitment, just come and enjoy – we are always keen to meet new volunteers!
Volunteer sessions: Sundays & weekday/evening TBC
eastoncommunitygarden.org.uk
Elm Tree Farm
Park Road, Stapleton BS16 1AA
Our entrance is next to Stapleton Cricket Club, we have a sign outside. Follow the driveway until you reach the car park or to the end and turn right if on foot/cycling.
Saturday 17 September, 10am–4pm
A small working care farm and social enterprise, we provide support and training to adults with learning disabilities and autism, and are part of Brandon Trust, a leading learning disability charity. All of our growing is powered by organic principles. We support adults with learning disabilities and autism, who grow, learn and thrive alongside us – we would love to show you around our gardens. We will be offering tours of the farm throughout the day, including: the market garden, nursery and animals. Visit our Facebook page to find out how to book.
elmtreefarm.org
Filton Community Garden
Corner of Elm Park, by Filton Leisure Centre BS34 7PS
From the Leisure Centre carpark you will find us behind the tennis courts.
Open access site 24/7 all year round
Volunteers on site Saturday 17 September, 2–4pm
On the Saturday we will hold one of our ‘Gardening Get Togethers’ when anyone can take part (just bring your own gloves). Regular volunteers will be available to answer any questions you may have. We have an orchard planted by local school children and a bee-friendly bed to encourage pollination, and many herbs including an enormous angelica. There is much more to enjoy from a pond to fairy tree – do come along and check us out.
Volunteer sessions twice monthly. Details on Facebook
Grow Wilder (Avon Wildlife Trust)
181 Frenchay Park Road, Stapleton BS16 1EL
Near the corner of Stoke Lane. Satnav postcode BS16 1HB. Please park off site unless necessary for mobility access/loading.
Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 September, 10am–4pm
Our mission at Grow Wilder is to bring about urgent action for the restoration of wildlife. We will do this by educating and empowering people, communities and businesses to make positive changes through wildlife-friendly gardening and sustainable food growing.
growwilder.co.uk
Hartcliffe City Farm and Market Gardens
Lampton Avenue, Hartcliffe BS13 0QH
Limited parking, park on Lampton Avenue if you can.Hartcliffe City Farm open 6 days a week to the public
Sunday 18 September 12–2.30pm for guided market garden tours
Hartcliffe City Farm market gardens will be open for guided tours and will have a mini market offering our seasonal produce of plug plants, fresh veg and freshly cut flowers. Meet our team and volunteers and tour the Hartcliffe City Farm Market Garden and Heart of BS13 Flower Farm. Two Bristol charities, Windmill Hill City Farm and Heart of BS13 took on the lease for Hartcliffe City Farm this spring. Through our horticulture programmes we offer volunteer placements and accredited training.
hartcliffecityfarm.org.uk
Hazelnut Community Farm
The rear of Eden Grove Methodist Church, Eden Grove Horfield BS7 0PQ
Saturday 17, 10am–3pm
We are a growing community welcoming anyone who wants to grow with us. Our commitment is to give away at least 50% of what we grow back to the community. Come along during the open days for crafts, a beautiful space, and a tour of our growing space.
Volunteering sessions: Sundays 3–5pm
hazelnutcommunityfarm.com
Herbalists without Borders Bristol
St Werburghs Medicine Garden, BS2 9YL
With the Farm Pub on your left, walk up Hopetoun Road, turn left up the hill and turn right almost immediately, there is one allotment on the right, and a cycle path coming in on the right, we are the next allotment. Shout through the railings and we will come to let you in. It’s about a four minute walk from the pub.
Saturday 17 September, 11am–1pm
We are a medicinal Garden growing all kinds of medicinal herbs. We use a lot of them in the medicines we make for refugees and asylum seekers. We will be explaining the uses of the various herbs and providing tea tastings.
bristolhwb.org
Hillfields Community Garden
Hillfields Park, Thickett Avenue, Hillfields BS16
Behind Hillfields Church on Thickett Avenue.
Open access site 24/7 all year round
Volunteers on site Saturday 17 September, 10.30am–12noon
Our garden enables people to connect with nature and other people in the community. Run by volunteers, we learn about growing edible plants and nature. Volunteer sessions: Third Saturday of the month
hillfieldsgarden.fishpondsbristol.uk
Inns Court Garden
Inns Court Community and Family Centre, 1 Marshall Walk, BS4 1TR
Enter via the car park at the end of Inns Court Green (first right off Inns Court Drive, coming from Crestwicke Road).
Saturday 17 September, 10am–2pm
A walled garden where we’re organically growing fruit and vegetables, and creating a beautiful haven for people and wildlife. In September we hope to have broccoli, kale, cauliflowers, sprouts, four different types of cabbage, carrots, potatoes and tomatoes. We might even get a few apples, pears, plums and cherries from the young trees and maybe some grapes from the vines that are starting to grow over the covered walkway. Activities on the day: swapping gardening tips, insect spotting and tea drinking. www.innscourtgarden.com
Malago Berry Maze
Located on the Malago Greenway Cycle Track joining Marksbury Road and Parson Street, BS3
Saturday 17 September, 10am–1pm
A unique community project, built on the site of an old scout hut in the heart of Bedminster. The Berry Maze has 16 different types of berry bushes which you can pick while you wonder around. There is also a wide range of ground cover, including strawberries, which add to the colour. No toilet facilities available. Refreshments may be provided.
Volunteer sessions most Tuesdays, 2.30–4pm
Facebook: The Malago Greenway Berry Maze
Redcatch Community Garden
The Pavillion, Redcatch Park, Broadwalk, Knowle, Bristol BS4 2RD
Saturday 17 September, 10am–2.30pm
We are a community garden growing edible and plant produce using innovative gardening techniques and re-purposing old materials. We use a no dig approach, using organic principles and our own compost and liquid feeds. We grow sustainably to encourage soil health and biodiversity. Produce is turned into food available for our Roots Café and events, or sold in our shop. The Garden supports our mental health and well-being groups, visiting school groups and sessions and activities. Come meet the Gardening Team, tour the growing area and ask questions.
redcatchcommunitygarden.com
Royate Hill Community Orchard and Allotment Project
Royate Hill Allotments Site, Royate Hill BS5 6RN
Entrance lane to site is under viaduct on Royate Hill. Walk 400m down this lane and the Community Orchard is on your left.
Saturday 17 September, 11am–4.30pm:
Apple-Pressing Workshop
Join us as we press apples to make delicious fresh juice – bring a 2L container to take some away. Have a go at all stages of the process if you can stay long enough – drop by for an hour or stay the whole day. There are also other tasks to do around the orchard and allotment if you are willing – come and have a look around! Apple-pressing is a fun but messy, sticky business, so wear old clothes. Bring work/gardening gloves if you have them. All welcome including kids aged 6+ years supervised by an adult.
Facebook: Apple-Pressing Workshop
Sunday 18 September, 12noon–3pm:
Open Day
Have a wander around, find out about the history of the allotment site and this project, why we use the permaculture systems, what is no dig, why growing your own is good for you and planet, how you can get involved. Freshly pressed apple juice available to try, and bottled juice and cider vinegar available by donation.
Facebook: Open Day At Royate Hill Community Orchard
St George Park Community Garden
St George Park, St George BS5 9AT
The community garden is on a raised area opposite the kiosk café and children’s area in the park centre. It is on a raised hillock surrounded by a low wooden ‘henge’ fence.Open access site 24/7 all year round
Volunteers on site Saturday 17 September, 10am–12noon
A community garden consisting of four raised beds of veg and fruit and a central pollinator-friendly flower and herb bed. Activities on the day may include regular tasks, such as weeding, harvesting and sowing seeds. Please note all children must be accompanied by adults/carers.
Volunteer sessions: 1st and 3rd Saturday, between March and November
friendsofstgeorgepark.org.uk
St Werburghs City Farm & Propagation Place
Watercress Road, St Werburghs BS2 9YJ
swcityfarm.co.uk/city-farm/get-directions (directions for travelling on foot, bicycle, bus and train)
The City Farm opens to the public seven days a week, 9am–5pm. The Community Garden on Mina Road is open 24/7, 365 days/year.
Saturday 17 September, 10am–2pm, staff will be on the sites too, specifically for the Trail
Propagation Place will offer on-site sales of vegetable plug plants and a tour of the Secret Garden to learn more about growing food in the city.At the Community Garden a staff member will be sharing about all the vital work that’s delivered at St Werburghs City Farm. Both are great sites for a picnic and to connect with nature. Meals available at St Werburghs City Farm Café as usual. The Propagation Place and Smallholding are wheelchair accessible.
swcityfarm.co.uk · propagationplace.co.uk
Street Goat
Royate Hill Allotments, BS5 6LP
Take the path alongside 45 Royate Hill
Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 September, 11am–3pm
Our newest site – having goats on it since August 2020 – is part of The Royate Hill Nature Reserve and sited on The Royate Hill Allotments. The site takes advantage of the old viaduct that runs through the reserve and provides a dry haven for the goats and the milking parlour. The goats are milked twice a day. The goats are a key part in the nature reserve’s management plan for increasing the biodiversity.
streetgoat.co.uk
The Edible Bristol Cultivation Place
Speedwell Allotments, Whitefield Road, BS5 7TY
Saturday 17 September, 12–3pm
Join us at Cultivation Place, our market garden and learning site in East Bristol. There will be tours, plants to buy and we’ll be able to chat with you about what we do and how we are working towards food justice in the city.
ediblebristol.org.uk
The Golden Hill Community Garden
Through allotment gates at end of Monk Road BS7 8NE
Behind Horfield Prison and Bishop Road School.
Sunday 18 September, 11am–1pm
We’ll be here with tea and cake for sale and chats about what we do and what we grow. There’ll be pond dipping for kids and the young at heart. Our organic site has 40+ raised beds, an edible forest, a strawbale building, two very productive polytunnels and a solar powered water recycling system. Our site is flat with wide hardstanding paths and a wheelchair accessible compost toilet.
Volunteer sessions: Wednesdays 10am–4pm
thegoldenhillcommunitygarden.com
Totterdown Community Orchard
Park Street, Totterdown BS4 3BJ
Open access site 24/7 all year round
Volunteers on site Sunday 18 September, 11am–1pm
Community orchard with apple, quince, cherry, pear and peach trees, plus a variety of soft fruit. Maintained by volunteers. Events include autumn apple pressing and January wassail. Local honey may be available for sale. Volunteers will be on site on Sunday morning doing general maintenance and clearance work.
tresa.org.uk
Tynings Field Community Group
65 Woodwell Road, Shirehampton
Before the railway bridge on the left.
Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 September, 12noon–4pm
Smallholding with chickens and geese veg plots and an orchard wild flowers and a compost loo. Project flowers – draw a flower and plant a tree – for peace. Bring a picnic.
Facebook: Tynings Field Community Group
University of Bristol Botanic Garden
The Holmes, Stoke Park Road, Stoke Bishop BS9 1JG
10am–4.30pm 7 days a week
Sunday 18 September, 11am: special tour of the Botanic Garden focusing on the growing of exotic vegetables. No need to book. Entry free on production of the Trail leaflet at the Welcome Lodge.
Dramatic displays illustrating collections of Mediterranean flora, rare native, useful plants (including Chinese and Western herbs) and those that illustrate plant evolution. Wildflower meadow, enchanting lake and pond with aquatic flora, glasshouses, home to giant Amazon water lily, tropical fruit, medicinal plants, orchids, cacti and a unique sacred lotus collection. Refreshments on the west terrace provided by Chandos Deli. Wheelchair accessible.
botanic-garden.bristol.ac.uk
Wellspring Settlement Community Garden at Strawberry Lane
Beaufort Road allotments, St George BS5 8JE
Top of Strawberry Lane – walk diagonally to the left.
Saturday 17 September, 2–5pm
Come along and see this community garden in its full glory and enjoy the peaceful space and healing magic of the garden.
Volunteering sessions: Tuesdays from 10.30am
wellspringsettlement.org.uk
Windmill Hill City Farm
Phillip Street, Bedminster BS3 4EA
Saturday 17 September, 9am–1pm
Two garden tours 9.30–10.15am & 10.45–11.30am
Windmill Hill City Farm is a 4.5-acre green space in South Bristol. On site, you’ll find community gardens, a variety of farm animals, a play area, picnic areas and a café and farm shop. On Saturday morning we will be running two taster session tours, which will involve a tour of the garden and a chance to taste some of the wonderful seasonal produce!
windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk
Woodcroft Community Orchard
The orchard is located behind Woodcroft Road. Next to 90 Birchwood Road there is a lane that leads down to the allotments and Nightingale Valley – follow this down past the garages to the double gates. Postcode: BS4 4QW.
Sunday 18 September, 11am–3pm
We have over 50 trees and numerous soft fruit bushes planted since 2012. We learn new skills to enhance and develop the fruit, hold pruning and grafting workshops and follow the seasonal demands of an orchard. In the autumn we enjoy the fruits of our labour! We are developing the site as a wildlife and wildflower haven in urban East Bristol, adding to the wonderful green space that is Nightingale Valley. Most of all we enjoy spending time with and meeting new like-minded folk. There is plenty of space for growing fruit and veg at a fraction of the price of an allotment – we have bees to pollinate and shared tools to cultivate! Provisional scything workshop.
Volunteer sessions: Every 1st Sunday of the month
Facebook: Woodcroft Community Orchard
Apple Days
The following groups have upcoming Apple Days. Check online for more details.
Sea Mills Community Garden (Café on the Square)
Saturday 24 September
Patchwork Community Gardening Group
Saturday 8 October
Fishponds Community Orchard
Sunday 9 October
Horfield Organic Community Orchard
Sunday 16 October, 2–4pm
Read about last year’s Get Growing Trail events – Bristol Food Network organised a digital Trail in June 2021 and an in-person event in September 2021.
