Published: 05 August 2010
by TOM MOGGACH

ENVY is not a noble emotion, but it’s the typical reaction of visitors to the best-kept new allotment in north London – the demonstration plot in Regent’s Park. 

Tucked away on the Inner Circle, it’s well worth a snoop. This garden will host two special open days later this month, with a horticultural expert from the Royal Parks on hand to answer gardening questions. 

This immaculate plot is stuffed with fruit and vegetables, lovingly tended by keen volunteers. 

The garden is used mainly as an outdoor classroom, and I teach some of the courses and workshops that they run (visit www.capitalgrowth.org/training for details). 

The project is a collaboration between the Royal Parks, Capel Manor College and Capital Growth – the initiative to establish 2012 new food growing spaces by the end of 2012. 

For me, a frequent visitor, this allotment is a place to pick up ideas and see a wide range of growing techniques in practice. 

“It’s lush and thriving,” says Amy Solomons, volunteer co-ordinator on site. “The more I learn here, the more I realise I don’t know. Every site and project is unique” 

This garden includes trained fruit trees, soft fruit, raised beds for veg and salad, a range of creative pots and containers and a compost and wormery area in full swing. 

Do pay a visit. Afterwards, make sure you sneak off to my other favourite place in the park, St John’s Lodge Garden. 

It’s just a minute or two away, walking anti-clockwise around the Inner Circle. 

This oasis is a ravishing piece of classical garden design, and another fine example of a garden to enjoy and, perhaps, to envy – to idly dream of as one’s own. The Regent’s Park Allotment Garden is on the corner of Inner Circle and Chester Road, next to the Park Office and Capel Manor College.

Open days are free. The next dates are Friday, August 13 and Saturday August 21, 10am-4pm. Wednesday, August 25 is a special open day for children. 

• City Leaf specialises in urban food growing. We offer training to groups and individuals plus site assessments and consultancy. Call 020 7485 9262 or email info@cityleaf.co.uk