Overview of existing orchards in Luton
Our research confirmed that most of Luton's historical orchards have disappeared. However, the town has made big strides in creating small community orchards. This page lists 20 sites where 5 or more fruit trees grow today. There are 18 sites within the borough and 2 with longstanding links to Luton just outside its boundary. Many are public, offering plenty to explore.
Where are Luton's existing orchards?
- Bide-a-While orchard
Planted in 1938 by local engineer George Farr, this orchard is located along New Bedford Road, opposite Cranleigh Gardens. It is a popular spot for photographs during blossom time in spring. It features around 22 trees including 'grown-out' espaliers and standard fruit trees arranged in a well-kept formal garden.
Area: Barnfield
Access: any time, council-owned
Google Map link
National inventory ID: BEDF0431
2. Chaul End community orchard
Located between Chaul End Community Centre and Downside Primary School, fruit trees have existed here since around 2008. Additions were made by the Peace Garden Initiative and Luton Council's Nature Conservation Volunteers in 2023 and 2024. About 25 trees remain.
Area: Chaul End
Access: any time, council-owned
Google Map link
National inventory ID: BEDF0434
3. Farr's Orchard
Located just off the New Bedford Road, opposite Cranleigh Gardens, this orchard is named after the creator of the adjacent Bide-a-While garden. A good dozen veteran fruit trees from around the 1930s are hidden within woodland in this area. A small 15-tree orchard was added in 2019 by Penrose Roots. It's looked after by the volunteers from the Penrose Roots to Recovery garden, with support from Luton Orchards and Luton Council.
Area: Barnfield
Access: any time, council-owned
Google Map link
National inventory ID: BEDF0432
4. Grasmere Nursery School orchard (private)
Grasmere Nursery School, on the corner of Icknield Way and Grasmere Road, boasts a veteran orchard in its playground. Much loved by children, parents and staff, the 13 apple, pear and plum trees provide fruit in autumn and shelter all year during playtimes. It dates back to the 1960s, where it appears on OS National Grid maps.
Area: Bramingham
Access: no public access, privately leased, council-owned
National inventory ID: BEDF0428
5. Henge Farm orchard - overgrown (ownership uncertain)
This orchard is sadly overgrown. As part of the Henge Farm project, local volunteers planted around 50 fruit trees in 2007. Sadly, the project experienced setbacks, so the site is currently abandoned. Around 6 trees remain, shaded within the woodland near Underwood Close.
Area: Bramingham/Northwell border
Access: land status uncertain, possibly privately owned
Google Map link
6. Limbury Meads orchard
Located near the playing fields in Limbury Meads, this orchard has around 22 trees of varying ages, planted from 2011 onwards. A small group of local residents care for the trees with help from Luton Council's Nature Conservation Volunteers.
Area: Limbury
Access: any time, council-owned
Google Map link
National inventory ID: BEDF0429
7. Luton Hoo Walled Garden (private)
Inside the historic walled garden of the former Luton Hoo country house, you'll find a wonderful selection of 37 fruit trees of different ages. These include replanted heritage varieties and the Pam's Delight apple from Luton at the entrance gate. Although the garden is outside Luton, it's included due to the strong historic link between the town and the Hoo.
Area: Luton Hoo Estate (just outside Luton)
Access: during garden opening times/events (normally with an entrance fee), privately owned
Google Map link
National inventory ID: BEDF0261
8. Manor Farm orchard (private)
Tended to by the farmers of Manor Farm, an orchard has been here since at least the 1842 tithe records. Around 8 trees remain, including Bramley's Seedling and crab apples, guarded by a pair of feisty geese.
Area: Stopsley
Access: no public access, privately owned
9. Mayne Avenue/Hockwell Ring orchard - overgrown
This 5-tree orchard has been defying the odds. Planted in the last decade or so, the trees are clinging on to life. Set back slightly from the footpath, this orchard needs local champions - could it be you?
Area: Leagrave/Hockwell Ring
Access: any time, council-owned
Google Map link
National inventory ID: n/a
10. Nunnery Lane Leisure Gardens orchard (private)
Planted in around 2008, just within the boundary of the allotments, it consists of around a dozen heritage fruit trees. It's maintained and enjoyed by the plotholders.
Area: Barnfield/Saints border
Access: no public access, plotholders only, council-owned
National inventory ID: n/a
11. People's Park community orchard
Planted in 2019 and 2021, this orchard enjoys a sunny spot near the Green Flag on the Bells Close section of People’s Park. It contains 27 trees, including vigorous varieties on M25 rootstock supplied by Orchards East. The orchard is looked after by Friends of People's Park and Edible High Town, as well as others taking part in the monthly litter pick. There are favourite heritage apple varieties such as Egremont Russet, plums including Aylesbury Prune and Williams' Bon Chrétien pears, amongst other cultivars.
Area: High Town
Access: any time, common land
Google Map link
National inventory ID: BEDF0435
12. Putteridge Bury orchard (private)
Just outside Luton, this orchard is part of a Gertrude Jekyll-designed formal garden that's owned by the University of Bedfordshire. Although somewhat overgrown, the 21 or so veteran fruit trees would make a lovely place for pruning courses and apple days in the future. It's included in our list due to the strong historic links between Luton and Putteridge Bury.
Area: Putteridge Bury (just outside Luton)
Access: no public access, privately owned (University of Bedfordshire)
Google Map link
National inventory ID: BEDF0430
13. Riddy Lane folk fruit orchard
These young trees that wind along the Riddy Lane open space offer a number of 'folk fruit', including medlar, mulberry, walnut, crab apple and rowan. Planted in 2023, the trees are struggling to get established. With a little more care, this orchard alley has real potential. Could you help?
Area: Barnfield
Access: any time, council-owned
Google Map link
National inventory ID: n/a
14. Rosslyn Crescent orchard (private)
The orchard was mapped on the OS National Grid maps from the 1960s. A few trees still exist in back gardens along Rosslyn Crescent and a property bears the name 'The Orchard'.
Area: Barnfield
Access: no public access, privately owned
National inventory ID: n/a
15. Runley Road Recreation Ground orchard - overgrown
In the winter of 2012/13, 8 fruit trees were planted on this site at the bottom of the Dallow Downs Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It appears only 5 remain, and they're all overgrown to a greater or lesser extent. The orchard is not looked after by anyone - but Luton Council is hoping to revive it as part of wider works at the SSSI. Can you be apple allies and help these trees survive?
Area: Dallow
Access: any time, council-owned
Google Map link
National inventory ID: n/a
16. St Andrew's Church orchard (private)
Five trees make an orchard - and that's the number the congregation of St Andrew's church decided to plant at their site on Blenheim Crescent. The activity kickstarted the Biscot Peace and Wellbeing Hub in 2024. The trees include heritage varieties such as Pam's Delight, Laxton's Early Crimson and Beauty of Bedford.
Area: Biscot
Access: only during community gardening sessions at the Biscot Wellbeing Hub, Church of England-owned
Google Map link
National inventory ID: n/a
17. Stockingstone Meadow orchard
Set within the meadow at the bottom of Stockingstone Road, there are approximately 6 veteran trees, remnants of former allotment gardens. You'll find recent plantings in the dip along the shortcut between Stockingstone Road and Old Bedford Road. Cultivars include Laxton's Rearguard and Laxton's Herald.
Area: Barnfield/Wardown border
Access: any time, enter from Stockingstone Road or New Bedford Road, council-owned
Google Map link
National inventory ID: BEDF0433
18. Stockingstone Road Allotment Association orchard (private)
Located on the west-facing slope of the Stockingstone Road Allotment Association, this orchard is well-stocked with productive apple, pear, plum and hazelnut trees.
Area: High Town/Round Green border
Access: no public access, only to Stockingstone Road Allotment Association members and on open days, council-owned
Google Map link
National inventory ID: BEDF0427
19. Stockwood Discovery Centre fruit trees
This orchard is within the walled garden at Stockwood Discovery Centre, Stockwood Park in south Luton. An elegant row of espalier-trained apples was planted in the 1980s. There are also wall-trained pears and plums, plus a few standard trees.
Area: Farley
Access: during opening hours of Stockwood Discovery Centre, free, council-owned
Google Map link
National inventory ID: n/a
20. Wigmore Valley Park Peace Garden orchard
Tucked away on the northern edge of Wigmore Valley Park, these trees were planted by the Peace Garden Initiative in 2021. The aspiration is for this orchard to become a national fruit collection, thanks to its historic Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire varieties of apple, pear, plum and cherry.
Area: Wigmore
Access: any time from car park/skate park off Eaton Green Road, council-owned
Google Map link
National inventory ID: BEDF0436