ALFI Vicarage Plot

The Vicarage Plot in Alton is a proper working community garden that puts most ornamental spaces to shame. Run by ALFI (Alton Local Food Initiative), this isn't a manicured showpiece - it's where local volunteers grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers on what was once a vicar's back garden. You'll find raised beds, polytunnels, and the kind of organised chaos that only happens when people actually care about what they're growing.

It's brilliant for families who want their kids to see where food comes from without the theme park atmosphere. Parents get a genuine look at what community gardening involves - the work, the yields, the real growing season. History types might appreciate the location itself, though the focus here is firmly on the present and future rather than the past.

The space works particularly well if you're staying at one of the nearby parks. Wigwam Holidays is just 1.7 miles away, and Feather Down Manor Farm a touch further at 2.1 miles - both are strong family bases in the area. A visit to the Vicarage Plot slots in nicely as a low-key morning activity, perhaps combined with a walk into Alton town centre. You'll want to check their website for visiting times and whether admission is free, as these community spaces often operate on flexible schedules and sometimes ask for a small donation.

Allow an hour if you're stopping to chat with volunteers - longer if the kids want to help out. Go during the growing season for the best show.