Which allotment would you choose

[WannabeAllotmentHolder]

I've decided to take the plunge and put my name on the list for an allotment - waiting lists are relatively short at the moment, but I'm not sure how quickly they will move. In theory it could be months, or it could be years.

There are two allotments near me and I'm torn which one to go for. I could just request both and see which one comes up first.

Both are about equal walking distance.

Which would you choose? Is there either you'd rule out completely and for what reason?

SITE A
pros: near the school, playground right outside, quiet area.
Cons: parking available but not very close, sewage smell on warm days (close enough to smell but bearable I suppose).

SITE B
pros: parking very close, Nice green area with picnic benches, horticultural shop on site.
Cons: opposite direction from school, road noise from busy A road (very close)

I suppose I had been leaning towards the one by the school, just because of ease with the kids and I could pop in before/after school runs when needed. But then I think, what if I don't get a plot for years and then they're not even at that school! The other one is probably a nicer site and community.

Edited to say, my youngest is only just about to start school so I do have a good few years of school runs.

Personally I couldn't bear the sewage smell!! But if you think you can deal then A may be better for you...

You don't say how far the other is from school. 10-15 minutes then b, but 45 minutes is a harder choice.

I had an allotment like B. I loved it.

Parking is essential if you have a massively overgrown plot. I've needed to cart so much stuff up to my allotment in those early days

What state are they in? mares tail? access to water? sunny or shady? any particular soil differences? what do neighbouring plots look like? any infrastructure left - shed, greenhouse, raised beds? All those things would have a big impact on my choice. If neither have an actual allotment on offer yet I'd get myself on both waiting lists and see what comes up.

Request both, you may not get one for years

Parking trumps school for me (mine is next to my DCs old primary school and parking is not easy, its the one thing I dislike about it, but the ones here with good parking I'd have to drive to every time and mine is 7 or 8 mins walk from home). I virtually never combined allotmenting with school runs and 10 years later the school is a complete irrelevance and just adds to the parking woes at certain times of day. But agree you should also look at individual plots when offered and go on both waiting lists.

Driving, 5 mins. Walking 25 mins.
I don't often drive the school run (only if they're in clubs before/after school and we're in a rush).

Yes, neither on offer yet so not sure what I'd end up with. You're probably right about getting on both waiting lists.

Both lists is an excellent idea!

Massively outing, I'll have to remember not to use this username! But these are the two sites.

I think both lists is the way to go. Leave it in the hands of fate.
I love the idea of being able to drop in with the kids while they play in the park, but the reality probably isn't like this at all!

For me I'm not sure if the smell is worse than the road noise. It doesn't always smell and I can kind of pretend it's farm smell 😆

I take it L is B and R is A?

I’d find road noise less relaxing than smell

I would be slightly put off by the proximity of B to a busy road, because I'd worry about pollution on my fruit and veg (diesel particles on the apples etc), and potentially contamination of the soil with lead, benzene etc from the road (I know we haven't had lead in petrol for years but I suspect it's still present in soil near busy roads). That said, it does look like a large allotment area, so if your plot happened to be well away from the road then this would be less of a concern.

Yes, sorry - I should have uploaded them the other way around!

I've voted B on the basis of the parking - we often find ourselves lugging big heavy bags and awkward tools to and from our plot because people have had things nicked from sheds at our site so we don't leave much there. It depends on the plot, though - get on both lists, and if you're offered an amazing plot on site A with mature fruit trees and a decent greenhouse, go for it.

I've just come back with 8 (!) Cauliflowers, lettuces, beetroots, carrots and 11 globe artichokes and 2 buckets full.of flowers. You need a car nearby. I either walk, cycle or drive, car more often when harvest is plentiful.

Also you need to get manure etc to your plot....