Shepherds Hill Allotments, a 6–7 acre site between Highgate and Crouch End, is celebrating 100 years of community gardening with a film, a cookbook, and continued support for local charities. The allotments, managed by the Shepherds Hill Allotment Association, have grown produce since the First World War and now serve 230 plot holders.
A Century of Growing and Giving
Over the past century, the site has been used for everything from 'digging for victory' during the Second World War to donating surplus produce to the Hornsey Food Bank. The land, skirting Queens Wood and Shepherds Cot, was first used as allotment gardens during the First World War, originally managed by the Hornsey Brotherhood’s Allotments Association. Hornsey Council later purchased the land, fulfilling its duties under the Allotment Act of 1925 to provide permanent growing plots.
The site expanded during the Second World War and the post-war period to counter food shortages but shrank back to its original boundaries in the 1950s and has remained unchanged since. In the 1980s, Haringey designated the allotments as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC). Since the 1990s, demand for plots has outstripped supply, with prospective plot holders now waiting years for an opening.
Centenary Events and Community Support
To mark the milestone, the association has organised a series of events, including a film titled 'Where We Grow', made by former BBC producer and director Ian Potts. Potts, a plot-holder of many years and a member of the 10-strong site committee, described the film as “an exploration of our allotment’s history and the people who have worked this land. It’s a celebration of the highs and lows of allotment life.”
The film will be screened at the ArtHouse cinema in Crouch End on October 21 and December 10, with further screenings planned for 2027. Another highlight is the cookbook 'We Grow, We Cook, We Eat', featuring recipes from plot holders, due to be published next month. Jill Russell, a committee member with a plot since 2012, has also produced a short history of the allotments, including historic maps and photos. She traced crop growing on the slopes of Shepherds Hill back to medieval times and explored the twists and turns that led to the allotments becoming permanent, statutory allotments.
Charity Support and Produce Shows
The allotments have long supported two local charities: Harington, a Highgate-based charity that teaches horticultural skills to young people with learning difficulties, and Hornsey Food Bank. During the growing season, plot holders donate excess produce to the food bank. Award-winning grower Gary Sycamore, who has had his plot since the mid-80s, has raised around £80,000 for Harington over the years, including £7,700 in 2025 alone. He runs a popular stall at Alexandra Palace Farmers’ Market, selling flowers and produce grown by him and other plot holders, including offerings from Jenny Gledhill, renowned for her magnificent flowers.
A Centenary Produce Show, judged by Ham&High gardening correspondent Ruth Pavey, was another event highlight. Regular events are held at the on-site barn, with proceeds going to the two charities. Gary Sycamore’s stall will be at Ally Pally Farmers’ Market until the end of October. More information is available at shepherdshillallotments.co.uk.
