Wimbledon Common

Wimbledon and Putney Commons comprise approximately 1140 acres or 460 hectares of open land with heath, woodland streams and ponds. It is not a park and is kept in as natural a state as possible so although there are many footpaths, cycle paths and horse rides be aware that there are also bogs, ditches and brambles. To add to the hazards there is also a golf course on part of the Commons.

Because of the importance of its wildlife Wimbledon Common is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a European Special Conservation Area.

The common looking north from windmill		The common looking west from windmill

Historically the Commons were the waste land of the village but not everyone had the right to use it. The land was owned by the Lord of the Manor and it was his tenants who had rights of common to graze limited numbers of cows, sheep, horses and pigs and to take three cartloads of wood each year.
In 1864 the 5th Earl Spencer, as Lord of the Manor, proposed to enclose of Wimbledon Common as a park and the sale of Putney Heath as building land. Local residents opposed the plan and a long legal battle resulted in the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act of 1871 under which Earl Spencer gave up his rights to the land in return for an annuity of £1,200 and an undertaking that the local residents would be responsible for its maintenance. It is still the local residents who pay for the maintenance of the Commons.

For more about the Commons see the Information Centre or visit www. wpcc.org.uk

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Management of the Commons
The Commons are governed by a body of Conservators, elected by local residents and appointed by Government Departments under the provisions of the 1871 Act.
Management is in the hands of the Clerk and Ranger and his staff. Office telephone 020 8788 7655.

Information centre

The information centre behind the windmill		Display relating to The Commons

Not far from the Windmill, adjoining the Clerk and Ranger’s Office, is the Information Centre where displays record the history and the natural history of Wimbledon and Putney Commons. The information centre is wheelchair friendly and it is open every day from 9.0 am to 4.30 pm and admission is free. There is a video showing the natural history of the Commons (ask at the office if it is not showing) and it also contains a section on a visit to the Windmill Museum.

There is more information about the commons at www.wpcc.org.uk