Our Story

Top-down view of a large complex with multiple greenhouses, surrounded by trees, parking lots, and various outdoor items and vehicles.

Cutteslowe Greenhouse is a hidden gem in the heart of Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park, Oxford’s largest public park. The 1,500m² greenhouse complex, plus 1,200m² of outdoor space, was built in the 1950s and originally used by Oxford City Council to grow plants for the city’s flowerbeds. Over time, it fell into disuse…

In 2016, the derelict site was revived by the charity People in Action as the Cutteslowe Garden Project. For seven years it was a much-loved hub: a place for therapeutic horticulture, volunteering, and inclusive programmes for disabled clients, school groups, and vulnerable residents. A tropical house with butterflies and birds, a community café, and a plant nursery created a vibrant, welcoming space. When the project suddenly closed in 2022, it left a significant gap in local life.

Out of that loss came a new commitment. Local residents, former staff and clients, faith leaders, councillors, and community groups came together with a shared vision to save the site and reimagine its future. Cutteslowe Greenhouse was born. What began with 12 volunteers became a registered Community Benefit Society in 2024, and now a Charitable Community Benefit Society with long-term plans to reopen the space by 2026.

Inside a greenhouse with metal framework and glass panels, overgrown with plants and vines, with some broken crates on the ground and weeds growing inside.
Inside a greenhouse with a dirt path, overgrown dead plants on the left and green healthy plants on the right. A sign hanging from the ceiling reads, "Restaurants only - not for sale or picking :)".
Image of a garden with a greenhouse, surrounded by overgrown plants and trees.

While working with Oxford City Council to secure a lease, we’ve already brought new life to the park. In 2023 we planted a community orchard on disused land, where monthly work parties and seasonal events now bring together more than 65 residents. In 2024 we created a community allotment in partnership with the Cutteslowe Allotments Association and Cutteslowe Community Larder. Every week, local residents and students of all ages and abilities gather there to grow food — and every harvest goes straight to the larder, supporting 30–40 families. This year alone, that’s 275kg of fresh organic vegetables.

Our pop-up café has also served free meals to more than 300 people, cooked with surplus produce, while offering art workshops and a warm space to connect. These activities have already reduced isolation, built confidence, and created new opportunities for learning and leadership. Volunteers have stepped into organising roles, schools have deepened partnerships, and new collaborations keep emerging.

We are now working with volunteers and local partners to clear the greenhouse site, and begin its restoration. And, thanks to four fantastic community clean up days, in the last few months we have already made huge progress!

We have developed a clear fundraising pipeline, and we are now working closely with local partners to secure vital funding that will allow us to kickstart the renovation works this Winter. In the immediate term the focus will be to prevent further dilapidations to the site by repairing core infrastructure and facilities.

In the meantime we are also working closely with local architect firm Jessop and Cook to explore how to make the site more accessible, sustainable, functional for year-round community use and reconnected with the rest of the park. If you’d like to stay updated about the project, please sign up to our newsletter.

A backyard patio with large concrete tiles, a small greenhouse with a metal frame, and an outdoor brick pizza oven with a chimney, surrounded by trees and bushes.
Inside a empty glass greenhouse with a concrete floor, metal framing, and glass panels. Trees and greenery are visible outside.
Inside a commercial greenhouse with empty planting beds and blue irrigation hoses, with dirt floors and some hanging white fabric or plastic pieces from the ceiling.

Our story so far is proof of what’s possible when a community leads with care, commitment and imagination.

To restore the historic greenhouses, and turn them into a safe, accessible, and thriving horticultural community hub we need your help. Send us your thoughts, ideas, and visions for the site here.

Illustration of a greenhouse interior with people growing and harvesting vegetables, including leafy greens and tomatoes, at Cuttleslowe Greenhouse Community Growers.