Food Growing Groups in Cumberland

Bloom in Botcherby Community Garden is a volunteer‑led food‑growing project based at Botcherby Community Centre. The garden brings local residents together to grow fresh produce, learn practical skills, and enjoy a shared outdoor space which supports community wellbeing. Volunteers of all ages help plant, maintain and harvest the crops, creating a friendly and inclusive environment for anyone who wants to get involved.

The raised beds at Carlisle Healthcare’s Eastern Way site have been transformed from an overgrown, unused space into a thriving community garden that supports patient wellbeing and brings local people together. Led by staff members Catherine Gosson‑Low and Debbie Docherty, the project has turned the large planters into an accessible kitchen‑garden area where herbs, fruit and vegetables are grown around newly created wildlife habitats.

Denton Holme Community Garden is a volunteer‑run growing space dedicated to producing fresh, healthy food for the Cornerstone Foodbank on Denton Street. Local residents work together to grow vegetables and fruit throughout the year, helping support people in the community who are experiencing food insecurity. The garden offers a welcoming place to learn food‑growing skills, meet others and contribute to a practical project which directly benefits local families.

Drigg was one of the first communities in Cumberland to apply for a Licence to Grow, turning an underused Council‑owned yard on Beach Road into a productive, volunteer‑led growing space. The project is delivered by Drigg & Carleton Parish Council and demonstrates how small parcels of land can be repurposed to support local food growing, wellbeing and community connection.

Eden Valley Hospice in Carlisle has extensive, beautifully maintained gardens which play an important role in creating a calm and therapeutic environment for patients, families and visitors. The grounds are cared for by a dedicated team of volunteers who support the hospice with planting, seasonal upkeep and general garden maintenance. Volunteer gardening sessions run Monday to Friday, with a core group meeting regularly on Tuesdays to carry out larger tasks and ongoing projects.

Gosling Sike, Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s organic smallholding in Houghton, Carlisle, is home to a series of productive gardens that showcase sustainable food‑growing and wildlife‑friendly practices. The site includes vegetable beds, polytunnels, heritage orchards and demonstration plots that highlight how food can be grown in harmony with nature. As a recognised Master Composter Demonstration Site, Gosling Sike also provides practical examples of home composting methods, showing visitors how to reduce waste and build healthy soil.

The community garden at Harraby Community Centre is a shared green space where local residents come together to grow plants, vegetables and flowers. It’s designed to be welcoming to all ages and abilities, offering a place to learn new skills, meet neighbours and enjoy being outdoors. Volunteers help maintain the beds, look after the tools and keep the space thriving throughout the year. The garden plays an important role in bringing people together and supporting wellbeing right in the heart of Harraby.

Heathlands, based in Carlisle, is a vibrant community project which supports adults with learning disabilities through meaningful, hands‑on activities, including food growing. The site includes productive garden areas where members help plant, tend and harvest vegetables, herbs and fruit as part of daily sessions which build confidence, skills and wellbeing. The gardens are designed to be accessible and therapeutic, offering a calm outdoor space where people can work together, learn at their own pace and take pride in what they grow.

Cockermouth’s Incredible Edible initiative was launched by the Rotary Club of Cockermouth to encourage local people to grow, share and enjoy fresh food. The group has planted fruit trees in Harris Park, including apples, pears and plums, with the aim of creating freely accessible food for the community. Volunteers have also established herb beds at the Old Bandstand and along the riverside, adding labels and recipe suggestions to help people use what they pick.