The first Royal Parks' allotment with a bee hive and hen house launches today. Located on Buckhill in Kensington Gardens, the allotment will be open to the public throughout the summer and entry is free.

'The Allotment in Kensington Gardens' will be tended by Royal Parks' gardeners and apprentices who will work closely with volunteers and community groups. A programme of workshops for school children will be run by the Royal Parks' Education Team. Advice on growing vegetables, wildlife, and sustainability will be on display, including information on 'Fruit for small spaces', 'Be kind to bees', and 'Don't let rubbish go to waste'. There will also be opportunities for allotment visitors to get hints and tips from gardeners on how to grow their own.

Mark Camley, Chief Executive, The Royal Parks said: "I'm delighted to open this new allotment and hope that many people will enjoy visiting it throughout the summer. This organic allotment, which has largely been made out of recycled materials, provides lots of examples of how to be sustainable. The Royal Parks is keen to promote sustainability and recycling and we hope that visitors to the 'Allotment in Kensington Gardens' will be inspired to adopt many of our ideas."

Tom Jarvis, Park Manager of Kensington Gardens said: "This is the first allotment to open in Kensington Gardens since World War Two and the first Royal Parks' allotment to have a bee hive and hen house! We think that it's going to be very popular with visitors, particularly children, and hope that it will inspire lots of people to take an interest in growing their own. The bee hive, which is currently vacant, is 'up for let' and we're hoping that an individual or organisation will be inspired to sponsor it."

Media enquiries:

For further information or images please contact:
Katy Murray on 0300 061 2128 or email kmurray@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to Editors

About The Allotment in Kensington Gardens:

• The allotment will be open throughout the summer between 9.30am and 4pm.
• The entrance to the allotment is located on Buckhill in Kensington Gardens - next to The Magazine and just off West Carriage Drive. For a map of the park please visit: http://www.royalparks.org.uk/docs/park_maps/KensingtonGardens_English_Map.pdf
• The site, and the paths that lead to it, have been designed to allow wheelchair access. There are also raised beds which can be tended from a wheelchair.
• The majority of materials used to build the 'Allotment in Kensington Gardens' have been recycled from the St James's Park Allotment, which closed in 2009. The St James's Park Allotment has been replaced by a 'kitchen garden' at Duck Island.

About The Royal Parks:

• The Royal Parks is an executive agency of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
• The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Richmond Park and St James's Park. For further information please visit: www.royalparks.org.uk