Directions HERE or at the bottom of this page
On March 1st 2010 Transition Heathrow members swooped on an abandoned market garden site in Sipson; one of the villages to be completely tarmacced to make way for a third runway at Heathrow.
30 tonnes of rubbish was cleared and over two years later the site has been transformed from a derelict mess into a beacon of community strength and a great example of how to live sustainably on this planet.
The land had previously been problematic for the local community and was often a site of anti-social behaviour before it was virtually abandoned. Traditional Transition Towns often have a strong emphasis on growing your own food, so we decided to incorporate that with a squatted community space where people could come together, and spend time as a community.
The project aims to return the Berkeley Nurseries site back to it’s intended purpose – a thriving market garden that will provide our community with locally produced, organic fruit and veg as well as a venue for new and interesting projects and workshops.
The site is a hub for local residents and environmental activists to share knowledge and practical skills such as organic gardening, permaculture design, bicycle maintenance and wood and metal work. Over the past two years the site has played host to a wide range of political gathering for groups such as: Climate Camp, Reclaim the Fields, The Transition Network, People&Planet, No Tar Sands Network, The Kick Nuclear Campaign, PEDAL and many more.
We are also now well on our way to a position of self-reliance. We produce our own food, use solar and wind power meaning we’re completely off grid, we collect water from the greenhouse roofs to feed the plants, fruit and vegetables, we use the rocket stove invention to heat our water and are equipped with four fully functioning compost toilets.
We welcome all ages, abilities and ideas so if you would like to get involved then please come and visit, just give us some warning on the site phone number: 07890751568 or at info@transitionheathrow.com and we will make sure the kettle is on for you.
REGULAR EVENTS @ GROW HEATHROW
Every Thursday – Bicycle Workshop starting at 1pm
Every Friday - Crafternoons from 1pm
Every Sunday – Gardening Club starting at 2pm
By public transport from Central London: Travel to West Drayton in TfL zone 6 in 20 minutes by train from Paddington. From West Drayton take the 222 bus towards Hounslow and get off at the Harmondsworth Lane stop in Sipson Village. Grow Heathrow is a minutes walk away from the bus stop, continuing in the same direction. The entrance to our site is on Vineries Close, next to the Cooperative nursery, and can be found after turning left onto Sipson Lane.
By bike from West Drayton: A well-marked cycle path runs south from West Drayton, under the motorway, and through Sipson village to Heathrow Airport. It’s possible to cycle between Hayes/West Drayton and central London in under 2 hours following the route of the Grand Union Canal. Bikes can also be taken on all trains between Paddington and West Drayton.
By car: From the M4, leave at the exit for Heathrow Terminals 1,2 and 3, and follow signs for Sipson. The imposing Hilton Hotel makes a good landmark to aim for. Driving south into Sipson, turn left onto Sipson Lane after the King William pub, just before the Achari restaurant, and Grow Heathrow can be seen immediately on the left.
Full address:
Grow Heathrow, Vineries Close, Sipson, West Drayton, UB7 0JG
