Coton Fields Allotments came into being when King John gave the 'Royal Charter' to the Stafford Burgesses in 1206.
We are located between Prospect Road and Cambridge Street, Stafford. For those in the Stafford area and maybe further away, Coton Fields is the ideal local allotments for you to grow your very own fresh produce, organically of course!
The allotments was established in 1206 when King John issued the Royal Charter to his 'Burgesses of Stafford'. Ever since, the area has been used by the Burgesses to feed their families. Nowadays, whether a Burgess or not, all are welcome at Coton Fields to do just that! To learn more about the Burgesses see www.staffordfreemen.org.uk.
Please note, the plots cannot be used for commercial purposes or to keep livestock.
Site facilities
Plots Most important is the land itself, which has been divided into plots of more or less equal size. However, full plots are more than most can manage, so they have been subdivided and costs are directly proportional.
Community buildings The trust has erected some buildings at the centre of the site for the benefit of the tenants:
A central community building for meetings & social events.
Toilets within the building for the use of gardeners, with a coded entry system. Codes are supplied at rent collection.
An allotments store, for gardening related items. A service is provided by our volunteer site administrators so that items bought in bulk can be sold to tenants.
Water taps At various points along the central walkway, there are water outlets. These are intended for gardeners to fill up containers on their plots, which can then be used for hand watering. The taps must not be used for direct watering - it is wasteful and expensive to use unnecessary water, and there is low pressure so it may restrict other gardeners from accessing this shared facility.
Assistance to gardeners There is a lot of expertise available from long-standing tenants, and they are very willing to help newcomers establish their plost and achieve successful cultivation. There is also the possibility to request assistance in preparing the plots, as the trust has invested a lot of money in equipment. There are designated users on site who may charge for their time in bringing plots up to the required standard.
Allotment store
Please visit our allotment store to view the full range of products currently available and request items not in stock. As a result of the trust's membership of the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG), there is an arrangement with Kings Seeds to purchase discounted items. Catalogues and order forms can be obtained in the store.
Security
The site is vulnerable to many forms of antisocial activity, so CCTV cameras have been installed. When the electricity supply is connected, it is hoped to add some form of lighting to deter antisocial behaviour. However, gardeners are asked not to leave any valuable items on site.
Access
There is a public right of way along Middle Walk accesssed by pedestrian gates during the day. Vehicle gates are secured by combination locks, and tenants are asked to ensure that these are locked and the combination scrambled.