Allotments

Grow your own food, develop new skills and join one of Reading’s vibrant allotment communities.

Reading Borough Council manages 20 allotment sites across the borough. There are more than 1,600 individual plots of varying sizes and facilities.

On this page:
Allotment site pricing
Allotment site locations
Allotment site waiting lists
Apply for an allotment plot
Allotment plot support and services
Henley Road allotment closure

Allotment site pricing

Our allotment sites fall into three categories. Each category has a different cost depending on the level of water access.

The table below shows what each water category means and how much it costs for a standard 125m² plot.

Water category	What it means	Fee	Concessions 40% discount
A	Water is supplied across the allotment site	£55.75 per year	£33.50 per year
B	Water is supplied to the allotment site but may be a distance from the plot	£42.50 per year	£24.25 per year
C	No water is currently supplied	£28 per year	£17 per year

Discounted rate for concessions

You may get a 40% discount on annual fees if you:

• receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support
• have a Blue Badge
• have an age or disability-related bus pass
• receive State Retirement Pension

If you are eligible, you must provide supporting evidence during the application process.

A start up fee of £52.75 is applicable to all new tenancies to cover administration and setting up the tenancy. This is a one-off fee and will not be included when you renew your tenancy.

Allotment site locations

The map below shows all allotment sites. You can filter sites based on their water category. Find out more about water categories.

Allotment site waiting lists

Site	Waiting time (years)
Ardler Road	5
Ashampstead Road	6
Balmore	6
Bulmershe	5
Caversham Court	12
Circuit Lane	3
Coley Park	3
Emmer Green	6
George Street	5
Goddard’s Farm	4
Henley Road	5
Lower Southcote	2
Meadway	2
Mockbeggar	5
Newcastle Road	2
Oakley Road	7
Oak Tree Road	3
Scours Lane	3
Victoria Road	6
Waterloo Meadows	2

How the waiting list is prioritised

Where you live affects your position on the waiting list.

Each allotment site has a catchment area. This is the local area around the site.

Applications are prioritised in this order:

1. Reading Borough residents who live within the site’s catchment area
2. Reading Borough residents who live outside the site’s catchment area
3. people who live outside Reading Borough

The Bulmershe allotment site uses a different catchment system. If you live in Woodley or Earley, your application is treated as second priority.

Catchment areas are currently based on postcode sectors. In future, they will be based on electoral wards.

Allotment plot support and services

Allotment tenancy agreement

Pay for your allotment online

Henley Road allotment closure

In 2025, the council’s Policy Committee agreed to reclaim the reserved cemetery land currently used as Henley Road allotments.

An external consultant worked with plot holders to understand individual circumstances, gather feedback, and identify any support or mitigation needed.

This feedback has informed the council’s approach to relocation options, compensation, and ongoing support.

The findings were shared with plot holders to help them decide whether to give up their plot or move to another site in the borough.

The process is ongoing. The proposed closure date for Henley Road allotments is April 2028.