🌿 Now open for entries! 🌿
The London Gardens Society is delighted to announce that preparations are underway for this year’s London Almshouses Competition, and we warmly encourage all our Member London Charities to take part.
This much-loved annual competition celebrates the beauty, creativity and community spirit found within London’s almshouse gardens. Whether large or small, every garden has the potential to shine.
🌼 What can be entered?
Almshouse charities are invited to submit:
- Their main community garden
- Any patio or courtyard spaces within the garden grounds
In addition, The London Gardens Society is pleased to continue the Residents’ Competition – a “competition within the competition.” When an almshouse enters, residents can also showcase their own:
- Personal garden plots
- Window boxes
- Balcony displays
- Containers and hanging baskets
This element of the competition is particularly special. Gardening provides not only colour and beauty, but also purpose, pride and proven benefits for mental wellbeing. It offers residents a wonderful opportunity to express themselves and to be recognised for their efforts.
🏆 Celebrating success
Winners in each category, both almshouses and residents, will be invited to a prestigious Presentation Evening at the magnificent Guildhall in the City of London this October, where awards will be presented in a truly memorable setting.
Please find below the application form, including full judging criteria and entry fee details. All entry forms must be received by 2 May 2026.
Judging takes place on the weekend of the 4 and 5 July 2026. One of the two judges visiting will contact the individual almshouses in advance to let them know which day they are coming.
We hope to hear that many of our Member London Charities taking part this year. Your gardens are a testament to care, community and commitment, and we look forward to celebrating them.
Here’s to making 2026 another blooming success! 🌸
17 February 2026