Robin Hood Garden is a vibrant, well established, independent community space in an important location for environment and wildlife. Set up as a community garden and social hub on the site of a demolished children’s nursery, the garden has over time placed an increasing emphasis on exploring ways to pursue its activities in harmony with its stunning natural location.
With this has come an increasing awareness of the significance of the garden’s place, and its responsibilities within this landscape. The garden’s location makes it both a key link between adjoining SINCs (Site of Importance for Nature Conservation), and buffer to intense urban development and busy public through-routes. It manages the delicate balance of encouraging access to the natural environment in such a way as to protect important wild spaces and habitats.
The garden itself occupies a fairly small plot in relation to extensive, neighbouring green spaces. It boasts an extensive and varied collection of interesting, unusual and mature trees, as well as a good collection of fruit trees and bushes in its orchard, and dotted across the site. It spans over 125 metres of the banks of the River Lea. On its opposite flank is a main pedestrian and cycle thoroughfare which follows the course of the river valley.
Today, the work of the garden places a strong emphasis the promotion of wildlife and biodiversity, with an ongoing series of events and projects to educate, better understand and take practical steps to enhance this environment. This work is married to its social inclusion agenda, with an ongoing program of activities for all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
