August 17, 2023 Sean Lade

The Most Gardener-Friendly Locations in England and Wales

Gardening is a beloved pastime in the UK. As a team of gardening experts and garden irrigation specialists, we know how important it is for the avid gardeners among us to have a green space nearby, either at home or within their community. If you’re a gardener based in the UK and are looking to move, or find a good location with all your gardening needs, it’s essential to know the regional hotspots. The country boasts a myriad of domestic gardens, allotments, gardening centres and clubs, where both novice and experienced gardeners can hone their skills and connect with others who share their passion. However, the question remains: where are these local gardening hotspots located?

We gathered information from reputable sources to assign an overall score for the counties in England and Wales. The top locations are ranked based on the following data points:

Properties with gardens
Allotments
Garden centres
Gardening clubs

Based on our findings, we’ve compiled a list of the top counties for gardeners to live in across England and Wales.

Top 20 most gardener-friendly counties in England

1. Rutland
2. Devon
3. Surrey
4. Cumbria
5. Norfolk
6. Herefordshire
7. Isle of Wight
8. Warwickshire
9. Kent
10. Bristol
11. West Sussex
12. Cheshire
13. Lancashire
14. Essex
15. Derbyshire
16. Somerset
17. Cambridgeshire
18. Hertfordshire
19. Northumberland
20. East Sussex

The most gardener-friendly county in England: Rutland

Rutland is a small and picturesque county located in the East Midlands region of England. It is known for its stunning countryside, rolling hills, and quaint villages. Rutland is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and gardeners alike. Despite its small size, Rutland is home to a vibrant community of gardeners who are drawn to its natural beauty and peaceful way of life. Rutland boasted consistently high results and was particularly strong in its number of allotments, with 24, and 2 gardening clubs. This is reflected in the number of gardening clubs per person within the county, where Rutland was ranked in the top 5.

2nd place: Devon

Rutland may be a smaller county, but Devon is hot on its heels and follows closely in second place. Located in the southwest of England, Devon is known for its mild climate and stunning natural landscapes. The region boasts a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a popular destination for gardeners. With 10,575 properties including gardens, one of the highest in England, making it an ideal county for gardeners looking to join a community of like-minded individuals who make the most of their land.

3rd place: Surrey

Surrey is a county that excels in providing resources and opportunities for gardeners. With 118 garden centres and 21 gardening clubs, it's a great place to connect with like-minded individuals and get the supplies and advice you need to make your garden thrive. Additionally, the region boasts a favourable climate and a large variety of properties featuring gardens, making it an ideal location for anyone looking to pursue their passion for gardening.

Top 10 most gardener-friendly counties in Wales

1. Bridgend
2. Monmouthshire
3. Vale of Glamorgan
4. Swansea
5. Pembrokeshire
6. Cardiff
7. Rhondda Cynon Taff
8. Denbighshire
9. Powys
10. Caerphilly

The most gardener-friendly county in Wales: Bridgend

Bridgend County is the perfect destination for gardening enthusiasts, as it offers the highest number of properties with a garden per person. The area is surrounded by lush greenery, with mild temperatures and abundant sunshine throughout the year. The community is supportive, with local groups and clubs providing opportunities for gardeners to connect. The number of allotments ranks 2nd with a total of 20 sites, providing the perfect place to support the community's interest in gardening. Furthermore, the county has excellent nurseries and garden centres, as well as resources and support from the local council.

2nd place: Monmouthshire

Monmouthshire is an excellent county for gardening enthusiasts in Wales. It scored consistently high across the board, ranking in the top five for every category. There are around 758 properties available with a garden per person, 2 gardening clubs per person, and 10 garden centres in the area. Additionally, the county is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, making it an ideal location for those who enjoy the outdoors. With such a wide variety of resources available, Monmouthshire is one of the best destinations in Wales for gardeners of all levels.

3rd place: Vale of Glamorgan

The Vale of Glamorgan is a county located in the south of Wales, UK. The area is renowned for its beautiful coastline, historic landmarks, and rolling countryside. Not only is Glamorgan a picturesque location, but it is also an excellent fit for any gardener looking to relocate. Its rolling countryside provides plenty of opportunities for gardening. Compared to other comparable counties within Wales, The Vale of Glamorgan ranks third for the amount of properties with a garden, with just over 1,162 options.

Our managing director, Sean Lade, has commented on the findings from this study, explaining:

“As a UK-based business owner who supplies garden irrigation products to gardeners and professionals alike, this study has been really insightful. It's impressive to see how well some of the smaller counties did - it's evident that they have tight-knit communities and shared resources!”

This research has revealed that the UK has plenty of thriving and friendly gardening communities, making it easier than ever for the avid gardeners among us to find a suitable county to live in.

Methodology:

To determine the best places for gardeners to live in the UK, we pulled the following information for every county in England, Wales.

Population per county (using the latest census data)
Number of Allotments per each county (using council data)
Number of properties available to rent or buy with a garden (using Rightmove's current listings)
Number of gardening clubs per county (using reliable directory data)

We committed a considerable amount of time to manually comb through various data sources to verify the accuracy of each group selection. After collecting the data, we ranked each county against the four data points and allocated them a score from highest to lowest. We then generated an overall rank for each county based on how well they performed for each of the factors we analysed, to reveal the best counties in England and Wales for gardeners.