The National Allotment Society (NAS) has announced the theme for National Allotments Week 2026, set to take place from August 10-16, 2026. The new theme, ‘Grow to Learn – Lifelong lessons from the allotment’, will focus on the educational, personal development, and well-being benefits of allotment gardening for people of all ages.
The theme highlights the idea that allotments are more than just places to grow food; they are living classrooms where hands-on experience, shared knowledge, and connection with nature all play a role in learning. Along with practical gardening skills, allotment gardening also nurtures important life skills such as patience, resilience, curiosity, problem-solving, and teamwork. Furthermore, it promotes physical well-being and food security.
Through time spent on the plot, individuals learn to adapt to challenges, understand seasonal changes, and develop confidence and well-being alongside their crops. These informal learning experiences often span generations, making allotments unique spaces for lifelong learning, community connection, and personal growth.
The National Allotment Society aims to reframe the purpose of allotments by focusing on the theme of Grow to Learn. They want to emphasize the fact that allotments are not just about growing food, but also about creating dynamic learning environments that support personal growth, mental and physical well-being, and food security.
National Allotments Week 2026 will feature a national digital campaign that will share stories and reflections from allotment holders and ambassadors, highlighting the various ways in which allotments serve as living classrooms and places for continual learning.
More details about National Allotments Week 2026, including activities, resources, and opportunities for people to get involved, will be announced in due course.
The National Allotment Society is the UK’s leading organisation representing allotment holders and leisure gardeners. They provide advice, guidance, and advocacy to support individuals in growing their own food, improving their well-being, and connecting with their communities.
With a network of 130,000 members, volunteers, and ambassadors across the country, the NAS works to make allotments engaging, inclusive, and rewarding. They promote physical and mental well-being, social connection, and environmental awareness through the simple act of growing.
For more information, please visit their website at www.thenas.org.uk or contact Charlotte Watts, the Press Officer for the National Allotment Society, at Marketing@thenas.org.uk.