Northfield Allotments

Northfield Allotments are allotments in the Northfields district of Ealing. They are the oldest allotments in London, having been created from common land in 1832 as Ealing Dean Common Allotments. Originally, their area was over twenty acres but this has been reduced by encroachment, taking about 60% of the land for other developments. The remaining allotments are recognised as an asset of community value and Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.

The allotments were created from common land on 7 November 1832, by order of Charles James Blomfield, Bishop of London and lord of the manor of Ealing. The common was Ealing Dean Common, being in Ealing Dean, and was also known as Jackass Common, after the donkey and pony races held there in the summer. The size of this area of land was twenty acres, two roods and sixteen perches. The allotments were to be no more than one rood in size, and to be cultivated by poor parishioners. As well as providing poor relief, the bishop's aim was to encourage gardening, which he favoured as a pastime. In 2017, there were 141 plotholders.

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