The St Anns Allotments as Victorian Town Gardens
Helen Keating looks the uses of Nottingham’s St Anns Allotments when they were laid out in their current form in the early nineteenth century. Known also as Hungerhills, they form the oldest and largest area of detached town gardens in Britain, covering 34 hectares. The pictures, which were taken last year, illustrate some of the many features, particularly the huge pears trees.
It is not clear exactly when the Hungerhills were laid out into its current series of individual allotment gardens, defined by hedges, but it was probably before 1835. Although the size has changed slightly over time, thegardens are still in their original 1830s layout.
These are a rare survival of a once common sort of gardens in the last century: a group of hedged plots, just outside the centre of industrial towns, also known as detached town gardens. They were used and enjoyed by the shopkeepers and professional people who lived over their businesses in the town centre and so had little garden around their homes. Many had summer houses where tenants could relax, enjoy their lawns and flower beds, make tea or a meal on the stove, and cultivate their fruit and vegetables. Glasshouses were also common.
Over time there was a slow transition moving away from gardens that were used by the middle classes for recreation towards allotment gardens for poorer workers. They offered low income families the opportunity to supplement their low wages by growing their own fruit and vegetables. This change in use was triggered by the depression which hit the textile industry, when people faced starvation and needed to grow their own food.
The allotments had a positive effect on the morale and self respect of the framework knitters, as well as their life styles and health. A report from 1843 noted that there was a decline in custom at ale houses as allotment holders spent all their time tending their plots and their money on seeds and plants.
In the 1830s the average allotment rental price was about £1 a year. To afford this high rent many poorer plot holders cultivated flowers, especially roses, for sale. The gardens were famous for their roses and large quantities were sent to market in Manchester and Liverpool.
Helen Keating
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