A unique gathering space in nature…
Plot 9 was a derelict council allotment in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, south-east London. It has been transformed from a neglected, polluted wasteground by Andy Millns, a local who took on the plot in 2018. Andy’s vision to turn the plot into community garden and gathering space, securing its use for the community in perpetuity, is well under way and now has backing from Greenwich Council.
Plot 9 is a stand against what skyrocketing rents have done to London. Andy is passionate about creating room for alternative, grass-roots, creative, therapeutic and community-building activities in a city that has sadly squeezed out many of these spaces in recent years. It is available to hire by donation.
Featuring The Dodeca-Den, a unique and highly adaptable structure (and the centre-piece of Plot 9 – details below) the space is new but has already played host to cacao ceremonies, yoga, meditation, workshops, men’s and women’s circles, pre-nuptual ceremonies, music jams, talks and more…
A common reaction to arriving at Plot 9 is a feeling that you’ve travelled far from the city, but it is in fact very well connected to central London, being a 2 minute walk from Maze Hill station and just 15 minutes from London Bridge.
Plot 9 Highlights…
- The Dodeca-Den: a highly adaptable 12-sided/circular gathering space with room for up to 50 people seated
- The Shelter: a covered area that can seat up to (approx) 14 people
- Wildlife pond: a home to newts and a watering hole for birds and foxes
- Kitchen area: basic cold-water sink and drying area
- Vegetable beds: 2 raised beds for growing produce
- Mint garden: a growing range varieties for tea-making
- There is no mains power at Plot 9
- There is a bespoke composing loo built with grattitude with materials funded by our first crowdfunder.
- There is running water at Plot 9 but it is not suitable for drinking (as it runs through hosepipes). Drinking water can be provided.
- Plot 9 is not (yet) accessible via wheelchair
*Next developments… a wood-working area, treehouse and recycled-window greenhouse.
1. The Dodeca-Den
This structure, designed by Andy is a highly adaptable and intimate space. Nestled between a fig tree and grape vines, the space is a living sculpture, surrounded and formed by natural timbers and plants. The structure was completed in early summer 2023. It is 7m in diameter and has 12 sides (hence the name…) made up of interlinked timber A-frames.
It be configured in the following ways:
- up to 50 people, seated in three concentric circles for talks, performances, workshops and ceremonies
- 6 yogis with mats, all facing centre
- 6 to 12 people lying down (for breathwork and other floor-based practices)
- 6 large hammocks radially, all to a central pole (for breathwork, yoga nidra, cloud-gazing, etc.)
- Cover from sun and/or rain with a beautiful green translucent ex-army parachute, erected in 1 minute.
- A central firepit and table is able to be used with any and all of the above configurations. It is also possible to remove this to leave a space in the centre.
Other features:
- Woodchip floor
- 6 citronella lamps
- 6 colour-themed flower beds
- Climbing plants including a productive grapevine that are slowly enveloping the space
- Fire-top pizza oven, BBQ tools, crockery, etc.
- Various small tables
- A large number of cushions and throws
- Mint garden for tea
- A kettle for the fire
- Guitar and Ukulele
2. The Shelter
This was the first structure Andy built to provide cover from the rain. It serves the space well throughout the year providing a beautiful elevated view of the whole allotment site including an avenue of trees that in summer give a the feeling you’re no longer in the city.
Some features of The Shelter:
- Room for 10 (comfortable) to 14 (cosy) people on two opposite padded benches and (optional) folding seats
- Woodchip floor
- Large table (suitable for food, crafts, laptops, etc.)
- Excellent cover from the elements
- Custom double-burn (low-smoke) firebowl suitable for central position on the table
- Heavyweight ‘curtains’ hangable for extra privacy or protection from the wind
- Solar lighting
- Guitar and Ukulele
Booking Criteria
Plot 9 is a space for community gatherings, workshops, therapuetic practices, celebrations and rituals (just not full-on parties).
Please email Andy if you are interested in booking Plot 9. Andy will get back to you (normally within 48 hours) to discuss requirements and make sure it’s a good fit.
Plot 9 is in a residential area right next to a block of flats where Andy lives. We are determined not to create any noise nuisance to our neighbours that could jepodise the whole project. Many of our neighbours enjoy visiting plot 9 and are supportive of the project.
Suggested donations
We are very grateful for all donations. These will be spent on maintaining the space, supplies (firewood, tea+coffee, lamp oil, etc) and essential materials for a greenhouse, extra seating, many other projects.
We’ve often been asked for a guide to how much to donate for your event so below are suggested amounts but obviously feel free to contribute more if you’d like to help accelerate the improvements mentioned above! We also don’t want money to get in the way of events happening, especially if they are nascent or experimental so the bottom line is that if the project is in alignment with our values, we’ll find a way of making it work.
For gatherings of <10 people: First hour: £25, following hours: £10
For gatherings of 10 to 20 people: First hour: £35, following hours: £15
For gatherings >20 people: First hour £ 45, following hours: £20
Andy or another will be on-hand to assist with any specific requirements in setting up the space. We take delight in making the whole process as enjoyable and flexible as possible. Activating the space by bringing your event here is what makes us most happy and all the work in transforming the space worthwhile.
Please get in touch if you have any questions or just want to come and take a look around.
Location & Transport
Address: (Opposite) Leamington Court, Restell Close, London SE3 7RD. Google maps pin.
Plot 9 is in east Greenwich, a few minutes walk from Maze Hill Overground Station which is served by Southeastern and Thameslink trains. You can catch a direct train to Maze Hill from any of: Greenwich, Deptford, London Bridge, Cannon St, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon, St Pancras or West Hampstead.
VIDEO DIRECTIONS: It’s a short route from Maze Hill station to Plot 9 but a little bit convoluted so please look at video directions here or below showing how to get there from Platform 2 of Maze Hill where you’ll alight if coming from central London.
It is also possible to travel via North Greenwich and get the 188 or 422 bus, alighting on Trafalgar Road or Woolwich Road and walking up Vanbrugh Hill, turning right onto Restell Close. The space is halfway down the hill on the right. Look for the bright green campervan and the entrance is 10 metres beyond it on the right.
If you’re driving then there’s usually plenty of free space on nearby Humber Road (free parking from 6:30pm). Parking can be arranged outside Plot 9 if required with advance notice given.
Plot 9 is not (yet) wheelchair accessible.
Bikes – plenty of room to lock them outside the entrance to Plot 9.
