The Orchard Project

London was once swathed in orchards, providing a slice of the countryside amid the city streets as well as producing fruit. The city has lost almost all of its orchards over the last century but a few still survive, hidden in hospital grounds and former stately homes, and peeking out from the edges of heathlands among other places.

National Lottery funding made it possible for the project to launch a three-year scheme in 2016 called A Celebration of Orchards, to bring 30 of the capital’s ‘lost’ orchards back to life, preserving valuable habitat, creating a sustainable food source, engaging different generations in a common purpose and teaching new skills.

Since launching, 13,442 people have engaged with the project through training and community events, with 1,938 volunteers carrying out a variety of tasks and 3,595 children learning about orchards through school workshops. The communities around each orchard are working to uncover the history of these unique green spaces, identify and propagate rare varieties, rejuvenate and preserve the trees, and manage habitat for wildlife.

Training is central to the project, to ensure the orchards thrive into the future. A Celebration of Orchards also launched the country’s first accredited certificate in community orchard management, which has led to some participants finding relevant employment afterwards.