Saving our commons
The Open Spaces Society is the guardian of all commons in England and Wales.
Such is the recognition of our role, we are notified of all applications for works on, and exchanges of, common land.
One of the most famous commons we’ve ever saved is Wimbledon Common, but we’re here for all commons and for the people like you who want to enjoy them.
The public has the right to walk on all registered commons, subject to certain restrictions, and on many commons there is also a right to ride.
Does your local common need protection?
Commons are very special because the land is unique. It is historical land, which has remained largely undisturbed through the centuries, a remnant of medieval times when people relied on commons for their survival.
It is land where the owners of nearby properties have rights to graze animals, collect wood and bracken or dig peat, for example. Those rights still exist, although are not exercised as they were in the past.
There are 1.3 million acres of common land in England and Wales, registered in over 9,000 separate units covering all types of landscape and habitat. A staggering 88 per cent of all commons in England have a national or international designation – for wildlife, landscape or archaeology.
How can you protect your local commons?
An effective way to protect a common that matters to you is to join the Open Spaces Society. Here are some examples of cases where we have given guidance to individual, group and local authority members.
As a charity, we depend on public donations to fund our vital campaigning and legal work.
As a member, you can count on the support of our expert team based at our head office in Henley-on-Thames.
Depending on where you live, you may also have a local Open Spaces Society correspondent (our name for volunteer) who may be able to help you.
Our latest posts about commons
Our general secretary wins bronze award
We help to stop quarry extension on West Yorkshire common
We help to save Bowes Moor, County Durham, from enclosure
