25–26 April 2026

Norwich Community Gardens Festival returns for its second year on 25–26 April 2026 to celebrate the volunteer-maintained green spaces that make Norwich such a fine city. The festival invites Norwich residents to find their nearest community garden or one they’ve never been to before, explore it, enjoy it, and even meet the volunteers that work on it.

Norwich Community Gardens Festival is organised by two volunteers, Alina Sandu and Lucy Moore Fuller, with support from Norwich Eco Hub and Norwich City Council, and features over 30 green spaces.

“You can find a community garden in every corner of Norwich. Somewhere where there’s a park, an allotment, or a verge, a group of volunteers got together and decided to look after it, for their communities and for the nature that thrives there. This festival celebrates those volunteers and their work and hopes to inspire others to join their local community garden.” – Alina Sandu, Festival Organiser

Visit Gardens and Meet the Volunteers

A host of community gardens across Norwich will open their gates over the festival weekend, giving people the opportunity to meet volunteers, discover hidden green spaces and find out how to get involved. A full list of participating gardens and what’s on at each can be found on the festival website, https://linktr.ee/ncgf.

Some of the activities include: Grapes Hill Community Garden offering guided tours on Saturday at 11:30 and 1:30, Friends of Waterloo Park hosting an exhibition of fabrics and natural dyes, the Angel Yard Cohousing Scheme sharing their plans and background at their community allotment, Globe Place offering free face painting, and Wild Lakenham running a natural dying workshop at the Cooper Lane orchard.

If visiting with children, families are encouraged to print and bring along a Spotting & Activity Sheet from the festival website.

“I’ve been volunteering in green spaces for the past few months and it’s such a brilliant way to spend a few hours: fresh air, exercise, a tangible output to your hard work. And you don’t need to know a thing about plants or gardening, there are always other volunteers to help and share a well-earned biscuit break! I encourage everyone to visit a garden (or few) during the Festival, find out how the volunteers help – and maybe get inspired to join in.” – Lucy Moore Fuller, festival organiser

 

Guided Bike Ride – Saturday 25 April

The festival includes a bike ride organised by Critical Mass Norwich and Women’s Cycling Safety Audit Norwich on Saturday 25 April. Starting in the city centre, the route will head along the Marriotts Way towards Mile Cross. The exact route and start time will be announced closer to the time.

 

Self-Guided Puzzle Trail – Saturday 25 April

Festival-goers can explore the city centre on foot with a self-guided puzzle walk designed by Norwich Tales and Trails. The walk begins on Station Approach at Norwich Train Station and finishes at the flower beds outside City Hall — a route of approximately 3km through the heart of the city.

The walk is particularly well suited to Saturday, when volunteers will be on hand to welcome puzzlers at James Stuart Garden (until 3pm) and Strangers Hall will be open (until 4pm; Strangers Hall is closed on Sunday).

An optional detour will add an extra kilometre to the walk. Those taking it are encouraged to arrive to Grapes Hill Community Garden before 1:30pm on Saturday or after 1pm on Sunday to meet the volunteers. The garden itself is open 9am-6pm every day.

Puzzle instructions will be available online ahead of the festival.

 

Herb Propagation Workshop – Sunday 26 April, 1:30pm

On the Sunday afternoon, Marlpit Community Garden will host a free, hands-on herb propagation workshop led by Steve Land from Plant Hub. The practical session will cover how to grow herbs from cuttings and seeds, and is open to all — no experience necessary.

 

The Norwich Community Gardens Festival is an opportunity to slow down, explore corners of the city you may never have visited and enjoy the green spaces that Norwich volunteers have worked so hard to create.

For the latest information, visit linktr.ee/ncgf or follow norwichcommunitygardensfest on Facebook and Instagram.