Diana Garden Project
A Community Garden Where You Can Grow, Eat & Thrive Together
What is the Diana Garden project?
Tucked away off Hiles Road in Ely, Diana Garden is more than just a community garden – it’s a place where neighbours become friends, where you can learn new skills, and where every seed planted helps our community flourish.
Diana Garden is a remarkable example of how local people can revive and reimagine public space. Once a derelict playground, the garden has been transformed into a thriving, green community hub – where people of all ages grow food, learn new skills, and connect with nature and one another.
Where & When
Every Tuesday.
1:00pm – 4:00pm.
Hiles Rd, Cardiff CF5 4JB
We meet every Tuesday and we’d love you to join us, whether you’re a complete beginner or have green fingers already!
'Roots of Change in Ely' project
A community garden growing nature, skills, and climate action in the heart of Ely.
Diana Garden is a community-led green space in Ely, cared for by local residents with support from ACE. Once a neglected and overgrown site, it has been transformed into a welcoming garden where people of all ages can grow food, learn new skills, enjoy nature, and connect with one another.
Thanks to support from the National Lottery’s Egin programme, we are now taking the next step in Diana Garden’s journey to support climate action and develop new techniques for sustainable living.
What is the project about?
The Diana Garden Regeneration Project: Roots of Change in Ely will help us make the garden more sustainable, more resilient, and more useful for the whole community.
The project will support improvements to the site, including plans for:
- off-grid solar power to provide lighting and energy for activities
- rainwater harvesting to support growing and reduce waste
- outdoor wellbeing and green skills sessions
- opportunities for children and young people to get involved in climate-friendly action
This work will help Diana Garden continue to grow as a community-led space for wellbeing, learning, biodiversity, and practical environmental action.
What kind of activities will take place?
As part of the Egin project, we will be running practical workshops and activities linked to sustainability, food growing, biodiversity, and climate action.
Our first workshops will include:
- Sack of Spuds – growing potatoes in a container
- Recycling Pallets into Fencing
- No Dig Gardening
Future workshops may include food growing, planting for pollinators, bird and wildlife activities, crafts, upcycling, low-waste living, and other hands-on sessions shaped by local interest.
What difference will this project make?
Through this project, Diana Garden will help create:
- lower carbon impact through renewable energy and water-saving systems
- more sustainable habits through practical green skills and behaviour change
- better biodiversity through wildlife-friendly improvements and planting
- more opportunities for people to lead and learn through climate action
We want Diana Garden to be a place where sustainability is not just talked about, but experienced in real, practical, community-led ways.
Diana Garden is for local people of all ages.
You do not need gardening experience to get involved. Whether you are:
- a parent looking for outdoor activities
- a resident wanting to learn practical skills
- someone interested in climate action
- someone looking to meet people and improve wellbeing
- a young person keen to make a difference
there will be ways to take part.
Our next Activity
Climate Change Carnival
Tuesday July 28th, 1pm Diana Garden, Hiles Road, Ely.
Calling all green champions!
Want to know how we can actually tackle climate change right here in Ely and Caerau? Join us for an inspiring, hands-on afternoon of local action!
Bring the family down to our Local Climate Carnival for a day of nature discovery and play. From wildlife spotting in the Tiny Forest to eco-art and recycling tips, there’s something for everyone to learn and enjoy!
Let’s move from talking about global changes to making a real difference in our own community.
Who’s joining the Carnival?
Scheduled to take part in the Carnival so far are:
RSPB – will organise a nature trail activity, and will show people how to care for birds in the heat, e.g. how to make a simple bird bath.
UpFront Gardens Project – will run workshops on composting techniques and growing plants from cuttings
The Bottega Project – is a recycling project, who will demonstrate converting aluminum cans in to sustainable objects.
Local Action Team, Cardiff Council – will provide information on recycling waste and council services for community neighborhoods.
Postcode Gardener – funded by Friends of the Earth, community members can plant seeds to take home in biodegradable pots.
‘Let’s Talk About Climate Change’ – is an opportunity for community members to talk about the change in our climate.
Outdoor cooking – food will be cooked on site in Diana Garden
Arts activities – a range of creative workshops involving nature and wildlife.
We’ll let you know when there is more information.
We will post on Facebook new activities over the coming weeks, so look at:
For more information, contact:
Steve – stevel@aceplace.org
