View source for Wimbledon Common

{{Short description|Open space in Wimbledon, London, England}}
{{distinguish|Wimbledon Park}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox SSSI
|image=File:Footpath on Wimbledon Common - geograph.org.uk - 879675.jpg
|image_caption=
|name= Wimbledon Common
|aos= [[Greater London]]
|interest= Biological
|gridref={{gbmappingsmall| TQ227720 }}
|area= 346.5 hectares
|notifydate=1986
|map=[http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271004317%27   ''Magic Map'']
}}
[[File:Wimbledon Windmill.jpg|260px|thumb|The [[Wimbledon Windmill|windmill]] in February 2005]]
[[File:Wimbledon common 1944.jpg|thumb|right|A map from 1944]]

'''Wimbledon Common''' is a large open space in [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]], southwest London. There are three named areas: Wimbledon Common, '''Putney Heath''', and [[Putney Lower Common]], which together are managed under the name '''Wimbledon and Putney Commons''' totalling 460 hectares (1,140 acres).<ref name="wpcc">{{cite web |url=http://www.wpcc.org.uk/commons.html |title=Wimbledon and Putney Commons – The Commons |publisher=Wpcc.org.uk |date=1 April 1991 |access-date=27 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828111544/http://www.wpcc.org.uk/commons.html |archive-date=28 August 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=WC&PHNH>{{cite book|last1=Drakeford|first1=Tony|last2=Sutcliffe|first2=Una|title=Wimbledon Common & Putney Heath: A Natural History|date=2000|publisher=Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators|location=London|isbn=0-9501887-5-1}}</ref> Putney Lower Common is set apart from the rest of the Common by a minimum of {{convert|1|mi|km|abbr=off}} of the built-up western end of [[Putney]].

==Wimbledon and Putney Commons==
Wimbledon Common, together with Putney Heath and Putney Lower Common, is protected by the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act of 1871 from being [[enclosure|enclosed]] or built upon. The common is for the benefit of the general public for informal recreation, and for the preservation of natural flora and fauna. It is the largest expanse of [[heathland]] in  London, with an area of [[bog]] with a flora that is rare in the region. The western slopes, which lie on [[Clay|London Clay]], support mature mixed [[woodland]]. The Commons are also an important site for the [[stag beetle]].

Most of the Common is a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1004317.pdf |title=Natural England, Wimbledon Common citation |access-date=27 December 2013 |archive-date=24 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024053604/http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1004317.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271004317%27|publisher= Natural England|title= Map of Wimbledon Common SSSI}}</ref> and a [[Special Area of Conservation]]<ref>{{cite web | title = Wimbledon Common | work = UK Special Areas of Conservation site list | publisher = [[Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs|DEFRA]] Joint Nature Conservation Committee | url = http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/protectedsites/sacselection/sac.asp?EUCode=UK0030301 | access-date = 20 October 2014}}</ref> under the EC [[Habitats Directive]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-23 |title=DEFRA, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Special Areas of Conservation |publisher=Jncc.defra.gov.uk |date=26 September 2013 |access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref> [[English Nature]] works with the Conservators on the management plan for the area. Wimbledon Common and Putney Heath are also a [[Site of Nature Conservation Interest|Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation]].<ref name=GIGL>{{cite web|url=http://www.gigl.org.uk/igigl/siteDetails.aspx?sID=M101&sType=sinc|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130423201740/http://www.gigl.org.uk/igigl/siteDetails.aspx?sID=M101&sType=sinc|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-04-23|title=Wimbledon Common and Putney Heath|publisher=Greenspace Information for Greater London|year=2006}}</ref>

The Commons are administered by eight [[Conservators]]. Five of them are elected triennially and the remaining three are appointed by three government departments: the [[Secretary of State for the Environment|Department of the Environment]], [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] and [[Home Office]]. The Commons are managed by the Clerk and Ranger, supported by a Deputy, a Wildlife & Conservation Officer and a personal assistant. There are seven Mounted Keepers (who deal with public safety and security), two groundsmen (for the playing fields), six maintenance workers and one property maintenance worker – some 23 employees in total.<ref name="wpcc" /> There are at least four horses which are used by the Keepers on mounted patrol.

The Conservators are responsible for the annual budget of around £1m. Most of the revenue comes from an annual levy on houses within {{convert|3/4|mi|km|abbr=off}} of the Commons. The levy payers are entitled to vote for the five elected Conservators. The levy payers fall within three London boroughs: [[London Borough of Merton|Merton]], [[London Borough of Wandsworth|Wandsworth]] (which includes [[Putney]]) and [[London Borough of Kingston upon Thames|Kingston]].

In 1864, the [[lord of the manor]], [[John Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer|Earl Spencer]], who owned [[Wimbledon Manor House|Wimbledon manor]], attempted to pass a [[private parliamentary bill]]<ref name=Gazette1>{{London Gazette|date=25 November 1864|issue=22915|pages=5834–5835}}</ref> to [[enclosure|enclose]] the Common for the creation of a new park with a house and gardens and to sell part for building. In a landmark decision for English [[common land]], and following an enquiry, permission was refused and a board of conservators was established in 1871<ref name=Gazette2>{{London Gazette|date=25 November 1870|issue=23682|pages=5244–5245}}</ref><ref name=Gazette3>{{London Gazette|date=18 August 1871|issue=23768|page=3643}}</ref> to take ownership of the common and preserve it in its natural condition.

The [[Wimbledon Windmill|windmill]] stands near the centre of Wimbledon Common as usually understood; in fact the unmarked parish boundary with Putney Common runs right past it (line marked --- on the map). Here [[Robert Baden-Powell]] wrote parts of [[Scouting for Boys]], which was published in 1908.
[[File:West end of Caesar's Camp, Wimbledon Common. - geograph.org.uk - 20689.jpg|thumb|left|Remains of the ditch between the two main ramparts of the Iron Age hill fort]]
In the 19th century the windmill was the headquarters of the [[National Rifle Association (United Kingdom)|National Rifle Association]] and drew large crowds each July for the [[Imperial Meeting]] - the Association's National Championship. "These annual gatherings are attended by the élite of fashion, and always include a large number of ladies, who generally evince the greatest interest in the target practice of the various competitors, whether it be for the honour of carrying off the [[Elcho Shield]], the Queen's or the Prince of Wales's Prize, or the shield shot for by our great Public Schools, or the Annual Rifle Match between the Houses of Lords and Commons."<ref name="british-history.ac.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45294|title=Putney &#124; Old and New London: Volume 6 (pp. 489–503)|publisher=british-history.ac.uk|access-date=25 January 2014}}</ref> The Association left Wimbledon in 1889 as the Meeting outgrew the ranges there, relocating for the 1890 Meeting at a new complex near [[Bisley Camp|Bisley]], Surrey.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Bisley |url=https://nra.org.uk/nra-bisley/about-bisley/ |website=National Rifle Association |publisher=National Rifle Association of the UK |access-date=27 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827155235/https://nra.org.uk/nra-bisley/about-bisley/ |archive-date=27 August 2020}}</ref>

Two broad, shallow pools, Kingsmere and Rushmere, lie near roads on the higher parts of Wimbledon Common and seem to be the result of gravel extraction. The more remote Queensmere is somewhat deeper, being impounded in a small valley. These were often referred to as "Pen Ponds".

[[Beverley Brook]] runs along the western edge of Wimbledon Common. The watercourse was the historic south west London boundary, and is paralleled by the [[Beverley Brook Walk]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aim25.ac.uk/cgi-bin/vcdf/detail?coll_id=14368&inst_id=118&nv1=browse&nv2=sub |title=AIM25 collection description |publisher=Aim25.ac.uk |access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref><ref name=bbw>{{cite web |url=https://www.merton.gov.uk/system/files?file=beverly-brook-walk.pdf |title=Beverley Brook Walk |publisher=London Borough of Merton |access-date=19 June 2023 |archive-date=19 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619110051/https://www.merton.gov.uk/system/files?file=beverly-brook-walk.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>

Near Beverley Brook and Warren Farm are two [[Local Nature Reserve]]s managed by the [[London Wildlife Trust]]: Farm Bog and [[Fishpond Wood and Beverley Meads]].<ref name=GIGL/><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.merton.gov.uk/environment/parks/beverley_meads.pdf|title= Fishpond Wood & Beverley Meads Local Nature Reserve, Merton|publisher= London Wildlife Trust|year= 2001|access-date= 2 September 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131225034939/http://www.merton.gov.uk/environment/parks/beverley_meads.pdf|archive-date= 25 December 2013|url-status= dead|df= dmy-all}}</ref>

At the southern end of the common on the part used by the [[Royal Wimbledon Golf Club]], but with a public footpath running through the middle, are the remains of an [[Iron Age]] hill fort known (in fact only since the 19th century) as Caesar's Camp. Though the main period of use as an ''[[oppidum]]'' seems to have been the 6th to 4th centuries BC, there is some evidence that it was indeed stormed by the Romans, probably in the [[Invasion of Britain by Claudius]]. It may have been taken by the ''[[Legio II Augusta]]'' under [[Vespasian]] in their push westwards in AD 44.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wimbledonmuseum.org.uk/index.php/on-view/early-wimbledon/pre-history |title=Wimbledon Museum |publisher=Wimbledon Museum |access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref> It is possible the site was settled as far back as the [[Bronze Age]], but it and the surrounding barrows were deliberately destroyed by [[John Erle-Drax]] in 1875.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/news/9646547.Wimbledon_s_worst_vandalism/|title=Wimbledon's worst vandalism|website=Wimbledon Guardian|date=13 April 2012 |access-date=4 April 2018}}</ref>

During World War One, an area of the common known as The Plain was used as one of ten air bases protecting London. In 1914 and before, model aircraft were flown here.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wpcc.org.uk/latest-news/news/post/87-wimbledon-common-airfield-memorial|title=Wimbledon Common Airfield|website=Wimbledon And Putney Commons|access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref>

==Putney Heath==
[[File:Horse Ride, Wimbledon Common - geograph.org.uk - 692221.jpg|thumb|The Horse Ride is a [[tree tunnel]] (route overhung by trees) on the western side of Wimbledon Common]]

[[Charles II of England|Charles II]] reviewed his forces on Putney Heath in 1684; in May 1767, [[George III]] reviewed the Guards, and the Surrey Volunteers at the same spot in 1799.<ref>Geikie, J. C. (1903). ''The Fascination of London: Hammersmith, Fulham and Putney''. London: A & C Black, p. 85.</ref> The 300th anniversary of the [[Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment]] was marked in 1961 when a tercentenary monument was unveiled and blessed on the heath.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=176-qrs&cid=-1#-1 |title=National Archives, The Queen'S Royal Surrey Regiment and the Queen'S Regiment: Records |publisher=Nationalarchives.gov.uk |access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref> According to [[Samuel Pepys]], Charles II and his brother, [[James II of England|the Duke of York]] used to run horses on the heath.

A stone and brick obelisk was erected on Putney Heath in 1770, marking the 110th anniversary of the [[Great Fire of London]], to coincide with the invention of the Hartley fire plates by [[David Hartley (the Younger)|David Hartley]], near a spot where his fireproof house was built. The obelisk, with the ornately detailed foundation stone, is still standing and can be accessed via the car park adjacent to The Telegraph public house, off Wildcroft Road, SW15. The lower part of this house was repeatedly set on fire in the presence, among others, of [[George III of Great Britain|George III]] and [[Queen Charlotte]], the members of Parliament, the Lord Mayor, and the Aldermen.<ref>Geikie, J. C. (1903). ''The Fascination of London: Hammersmith, Fulham and Putney''. London: A & C Black, p. 84.</ref> Since 1955 the obelisk has been a Grade II listed building.<ref>{{cite web |author=Good Stuff IT Services |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-207057-hartley-memorial-obelisk-north-east-of-w |title=Hartley Memorial Obelisk (North East of Wildcroft Manor), Putney |publisher=Britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref> The adjacent [[Wildcroft Manor]] was formerly in the ownership of publishing magnate [[Sir George Newnes|George Newnes]], builder of [[Putney Library]]. In 1895 he was created a [[baronet]] "of Wildcroft, in the parish of [[Putney]], in the [[county of London]]".<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=26598 |date=15 February 1895 |page=911 }}</ref>

Many duels were fought on Putney Heath. In May 1652, a duel between George, the third Lord Chandos, and Colonel Henry Compton ended with Compton being killed. On a Sunday afternoon in May 1798 [[William Pitt the Younger|William Pitt]], the then Prime Minister, who lived in Bowling-Green House on the heath, fought a bloodless battle with William Tierney, MP. The house derived its name from the bowling-green formerly attached to it, and for more than sixty years (1690–1750) was the most famous green in the neighbourhood of London. "In the early days of George III's reign it was celebrated for its public breakfasts and evening assemblies during the summer season. It was occupied for some time by Archbishop Cornwallis previous to Pitt taking up his residence there. During Pitt's ownership the house had large rooms for public breakfasts and assemblies, was a fashionable place of entertainment". Nearly a century earlier the property was noted for "deep play".<ref name="british-history.ac.uk"/> Pitt died in the house in 1806 from typhus. It was later owned by Henry Lewis Doulton, son of [[Henry Doulton]] of pottery fame. It was demolished and an [[art deco]] style residence rebuilt on the site in 1933. Nearby stands Bristol House, which owes its name to the Bristol family. [[James Macpherson]], the translator and author of the [[Ossian|Ossian's Poems]], had a villa on Putney Heath.<ref name="british-history.ac.uk"/>
The heath near the Telegraph pub was also the venue for the September 1809 [[duel]] between Cabinet ministers [[George Canning]] and [[Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh|Lord Castlereagh]].<ref>Geikie, J. C. (1903). ''The Fascination of London: Hammersmith, Fulham and Putney''. London: A & C Black, pp. 84–86.</ref>

[[Scio House Hospital|Scio House]] was the last villa on Portsmouth Road abutting the heath: it eventually became a hospital and was known as [[Scio House Hospital]] for Officers, Putney.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=1948-03-25a.3319.3 |title=Voluntary Hospitals, London|publisher=UK Parliament|date=25 March 1948|access-date=1 August 2012}}</ref> It has since been redeveloped as a gated community of 70 neo-Georgian homes divided into two streets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lyndengate.co.uk/index.html |title=Welcome|publisher=Lynden Gate|access-date=1 August 2012}}</ref>

Putney Heath is around {{convert|160|ha|acre|abbr=off}} in size and sits at approximately {{convert|45|m|ft|abbr=off}} above sea level. Because of its elevation, from 1796 to 1816 Putney Heath hosted a station in the [[Semaphore line|shutter telegraph chain]], which connected the Admiralty in London to its naval ships in [[Portsmouth]]. This was replaced by a semaphore station, which was part of a [[semaphore line]] that operated between 1822 and 1847.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thetelegraphputney.co.uk/telegraph-history.php |title=History – The Telegraph country pub in London |work=Thetelegraphputney.co.uk |access-date=27 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227075329/http://www.thetelegraphputney.co.uk/telegraph-history.php |archive-date=27 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

[[Thomas Cromwell]], 1st Earl of Essex, was born on the north side of the heath circa 1485. He became a statesman who served as chief minister of [[Henry VIII]] and an agent of [[Cardinal Wolsey]]. In the 19th century his birthplace was still a place of note. "The site of Cromwell's birthplace is still pointed out by tradition, and is in some measure confirmed by the survey of Wimbledon Manor... for it describes on that spot 'an ancient cottage called the smith's shop, lying west of the highway from Richmond to Wandsworth, being the sign of the Anchor.' The plot of ground here referred to is now covered by the Green Man public house."<ref name="british-history.ac.uk"/>

The wilderness was for many years a noted rendezvous for highwaymen. In 1795, the notorious highwayman Jeremiah Abershaw – also known as Jerry Avershaw – was caught in the pub (now owned by [[Wandsworth]] brewery [[Young's]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Green Man|url=http://www.youngs.co.uk/pub-detail.asp?PubID=405|work=youngs.co.uk|access-date=14 November 2011|archive-date=13 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113143858/http://www.youngs.co.uk/pub-detail.asp?PubID=405|url-status=dead}}</ref>) on the north side of the heath where Putney Hill meets Tibbet's Ride. After Abershaw's execution at Kennington, his body was hung in a chain gibbet on the heath, as a warning to others.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} The location on the heath is known as Jerry's Hill. It is viewable from the A3 near [[Putney Vale]], slightly uphill from [[Putney Vale Cemetery]] where a number of famous people have since been buried or cremated. Abershaw frequented the Bald Face Stag Inn.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2011/02/08/the-tale-of-jerry-abershawe-highwayman/|title=The Tale of Jerry Abershawe, Highwayman|date=8 February 2011}}</ref> The inn was later knocked down and became the KLG factory, founded by [[Kenelm Lee Guinness]], part of the famous brewing dynasty and a noted early motor racer before developing highly reliable auto and aero spark plugs. The factory site is now occupied by an [[Asda]] supermarket.

[[File:King's Mere, Putney Heath. - geograph.org.uk - 20694.jpg|thumb|Kingsmere]]
Above the hill peak of the A3 at Tibbet's Corner – on the A219 towards Putney – stands an ancient wood fence cattle pound opposite the Green Man, adjacent to two huge plane trees near the bus terminus. This simple wood fence structure, used historically to contain lost livestock, has been listed as a Grade II listed structure since 1983.<ref>{{cite web|author=Good Stuff IT Services |url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-207108-village-pond-putney |title=Village Pound, Putney |publisher=Britishlistedbuildings.co.uk |access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref> A number of fine homes lined Putney Hill and the north face of the heath, west of the Green Man. All had semi-circular carriageway entrances and exits.<ref name="autogenerated1913">Bailey, Keith. ''Old Ordnance Survey Maps, Putney 1913''. South Shields: Godfrey Maps</ref> These included Grantham House, the residence of Lady Grantham; Ripon House; Ashburton House; and Exeter House, occupied by the [[Marquis of Exeter|second Marquis of Exeter]]. Grantham House had a large fountain in its grounds between road and residence, while across the road on the heath was a large, shallow rectangular pond used for ice skating. Grantham House stood east of both Exeter and Ashburton houses, on the site of the present-day Hayward Gardens.<ref name="autogenerated1913"/> The skating pond was filled in post-WWII. [[George Cokayne]], author of peerage and baronetage publications, died at Exeter House in 1911.<ref name = Cockayne>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924092524374 |title=George E Cokayne ''Complete Baronetage Vol 1'' (1900) |date=10 March 2001 |access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref> Nearby Gifford House was owned by J. D. Charrington of brewing fame; and Dover House was the seat originally of [[Lord Dover]], afterwards of [[Thomas Agar-Robartes, 6th Viscount Clifden|Lord Clifden]].

With the development of transport routes for the growing financial sector, Putney Heath became highly desirable for City gentlemen in the 1890s, and they were initially known as "outsiders".<ref>Roehampton Cricket Club ''Towards the Second Century'' (1951), p. 6</ref> Dover House was owned at the turn of the 20th century by the famous US financier [[J. P. Morgan]].<ref>Geikie, J. C. (1903). ''The Fascination of London: Hammersmith, Fulham and Putney''. London: A & C Black, p. 83.</ref> Social researcher [[Charles Booth (philanthropist)|Charles Booth]] classified the whole area of Putney Hill and West Hill, leading into Putney Heath, as wealthy or well-to-do. Despite a full array of places of worship, he said the area was noted for low church attendance with all denominations "struggling for the souls of pleasure-seeking Putney ... the middle class here are as indifferent as the poor elsewhere."<ref name="autogenerated1913"/>

At the top of Putney Hill, the road taking that name veers off Tibbet's Ride at Putney Heath Lane (which was formerly known as Cut-Through Lane). Seven grand homes once lined the east side of this part of Putney Hill.<ref name="autogenerated1913"/> It is now a no-through-road leading to Tibbet's Corner. Several of the mansions remain. The most southern of the homes was named Bath House, which included a keeper's lodge and large grounds. In 1926 it was opened as the Ross Institute and [[Hospital for Tropical Diseases]] by the then Prince of Wales, the future [[Edward VIII]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timeline.lshtm.ac.uk/1920.html |title=1920 History Timeline &#124; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine |publisher=Timeline.lshtm.ac.uk |access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref> The hospital was founded by malariologist [[Sir Ronald Ross|Ronald Ross]], who discovered that [[malaria]] was transmitted by mosquitoes. He won the 1902 [[Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine|Nobel Prize]] for his discovery. After his death and burial at nearby [[Putney Vale Cemetery]] in 1932, the financially strapped hospital was incorporated into the [[London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine]] in Keppel Street, central London. Bath House was later demolished and mansion flats built on the property. In memory of its history the block was named Ross Court. Within the grounds remains an older dwelling named Ross Cottage.

The village green at the corner of Wildcroft and Telegraph roads is still used by Roehampton Cricket Club, established in 1842. The club has played there continuously since 1859 when the lord of the manor, Earl Spencer, suggested it as a new site.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kent |first=Stephen |url=http://www.roehamptoncricketclub.com |title=Roehampton Cricket Club |access-date=27 December 2013}}</ref> It has two teams in the highly competitive Fullers Surrey County League and a Sunday side that plays on a more social level. In 1900, a decade after the death of his multimillionaire father [[Junius Spencer Morgan|Junius Morgan]], J. P. Morgan had already gained a fondness for the sport and was made an honorary member.<ref>Roehampton Cricket Club ''Towards the Second Century'' (1951), p. 11</ref> Antarctic explorer [[Ernest Shackleton|Sir Ernest Shackleton]], who presided at the club dinner in 1910, allowed his two young children – Raymond and Cecily<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jamescairdsociety.com/shackleton-news.php?id=105140 |title=Shackleton news |publisher=Jamescairdsociety.com |access-date=27 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227075520/http://www.jamescairdsociety.com/shackleton-news.php?id=105140 |archive-date=27 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> – to play cowboys and Indians on the cricket green during the week. This groundkeeper's transgression was later believed to have been a privilege of him being an honorary member.<ref>Roehampton Cricket Club ''Towards the Second Century'' (1951), p. 4</ref>

The Chelsea Water Company originally owned the reservoir site and allowed construction of the club pavilion on its property.<ref>Geikie, J. C. (1903). ''The Fascination of London: Hammersmith, Fulham and Putney''. London: A & C Black, p. 84.</ref> The covered reservoir is now owned by Thames Water. Cricket matches continued during the war although some games started late or were drawn due to late starts or air raid sirens. Four German [[V-1 flying bomb]]s struck the area in [[World War II]].<ref>Wandsworth Council (2008). ''Putney Heath Appraisal & Management Strategy''</ref> One destroyed the club's pavilion, opposite the Telegraph pub, in July 1944, near the reservoir. Wildcroft Road, turning into Portsmouth Road and further along into the future A3, was the main thoroughfare into SW London and became a stop-off point for American serviceman who alighted from their jeeps to "taste this crazy cricket game".<ref>Roehampton Cricket Club ''Towards the Second Century'' (1951), p. 16</ref>

On the south side of the reservoir, in the triangle of land between Wildcroft Road, Tibbet's Ride and the Green Man, is a large clearing of land. A funfair is set up on the grounds each October, lasting for one week. Ground rent is paid by the touring company to the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators, as part of the income of the charity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/DocumentList.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=303167&SubsidiaryNumber=0&DocType=AccountList |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090205012523/http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/DocumentList.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=303167&SubsidiaryNumber=0&DocType=AccountList |title=Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2009 |access-date=14 November 2011 }}</ref>

==Sports and recreation==
{{more citations needed|section|date=September 2020}}
[[File:Cannizaro House.jpg|thumb|[[Cannizaro House]], now a hotel opposite Wimbledon Common]]

In August 1730 a [[cricket]] match between [[Putney Cricket Club|Putney]] and [[Fulham Cricket Club|Fulham]] was played, reportedly for "50 [[Guinea (British coin)|guineas]] per side". It is the only known instance of a team called Putney and of a match at this venue.<ref>[[H. T. Waghorn|Waghorn HT]] (1899) ''Cricket Scores, Notes, etc. (1730–1773)'', p. 3. Blackwood.</ref><ref name=im>[[Ian Maun|Maun I]] (2009) ''From Commons to Lord's, Volume One: 1700 to 1750'', p. 45. Roger Heavens. {{isbn|978 1 900592 52 9}}</ref>

[[Old Central School]], situated in the south west of Wimbledon Common, provided a former pupils football team in the late 19th century which played on the common and used the "Fox and Grapes" public house as a changing room. At first called "The Old Centrals", this club later became [[Wimbledon F.C.]]

Putney Lower Common hosted [[Fulham F.C.]]'s home games in the 1885–1886 season.

The Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields, which form part of the Commons and are situated in Kingston Vale, provide football and rugby pitches for local schools and clubs. The grounds are currently home to [[London Cornish RFC]], and was the training ground for [[London Broncos#2006–2011: Harlequins Rugby League|Harlequins RL]]. It also hosts the annual [[National Schools Sevens]] rugby tournament. The grounds can also accommodate many different sports such as [[Australian Rules Football]] and Ultimate Frisbee.

Hampton and Richmond Borough Juniors FC (Colts section of [[Hampton & Richmond Borough F.C.|Hampton & Richmond Borough]] of the [[National League South|Conference South League]]) play their home matches at the [[Richmond Park]] entrance/Robin Hood roundabout corner of the common on Sunday mornings.

A [[Parkrun]] is held on the common every Saturday morning which usually sees in excess of 300 runners complete 5&nbsp;kilometres. The course starts and finishes at the Windmill.

Today, as well as being a popular place for cycling, jogging and walking, the Common is home to The Wimbledon Common Golf Club and [[London Scottish Golf Club]]. The first [[University Golf Match]] was played on Wimbledon Common in 1878, courtesy of the LSGC. It also is the base for [[Thames Hare and Hounds]], the oldest cross country running club in the world. Annually Thames Hare and Hounds host the 1st team (Blues) Varsity cross-country match between Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

The Commons also provide some 16&nbsp;miles of horse rides.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Horseriding |url=https://www.wpcc.org.uk/activities/horseriding |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=www.wpcc.org.uk |language=english}}</ref>

==Legal disputes==
{{more citations needed|section|date=February 2022}}
[[File:Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough in Wimbledon Common (01).jpg|thumb|The [[Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association]] trough on Wimbledon Common, now Grade II listed]]

In early 2012 the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators agreed to sell the access rights across Putney Common to [[Wandsworth Council]], having been threatened with a [[Compulsory Purchase Order]] if they refused. Without public consultation the Conservators entered into legal agreements, in return for a payment of £350,000. Some local residents who objected to the sale of the access and loss of common to facilitate what they saw as an unattractive and over-intensive development challenged the sale in the High Court, which ruled that the Conservators had not acted beyond their powers.

Some local residents also objected to Wandsworth's planning permissions for the site (where Wandsworth were both the applicant and planning authority), and two permissions were quashed by the High Court in early 2013 over technicalities. The technicalities were corrected and the planning permission subsequently re-obtained. The residents made a public appeal to fund their legal challenge, raising £25,000 from a few dozen donors. The Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators joined forces legally with Wandsworth, appointing Wandsworth to build the roads.

The land sold by the Conservators to the council will be tarmacked for some 110&nbsp;metres (120 yards), and lined with bollards, in addition to street lighting, tarmacked footpaths and electronic barriers, which objectors say will suburbanise and alter the natural state of the Common. The Conservators refused the sustainable transport charity Sustrans permission to upgrade an adjacent path to a cycle path on the grounds that it would "alter the natural state of the commons". The [[Open Spaces Society]] gave financial support to the residents in taking the case to the Court of Appeal, saying in December 2013: "This is a unique green lung, which the society helped to save back in the 1870s. We are not prepared to stand by and see it destroyed now."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oss.org.uk/we-back-friends-of-putney-commons-court-action/|title=We back Friends of Putney Common's court action|work=oss.org.uk|date=2 December 2013}}</ref>

In August 2016 the Charity Commission announced a Statutory Inquiry into the potential loss due to granting of an easement for access rights to Putney Lower Common.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-charity-investigation-wimbledon-and-putney-commons-conservators|title=New charity investigation: Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators|publisher=The Charity Commission|access-date=29 April 2017}}</ref>

In July 2020, nearly four years after the Inquiry commenced, the Charity Commission published the results of their Statutory Inquiry, concluding that the easement may have been transferred at an undervalue. [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/charity-inquiry-wimbledon-and-putney-commons-conservators/charity-inquiry-wimbledon-and-putney-commons-conservators Charity Commission Statutory Inquiry Conclusion]

On 4 August 2020, ''The Times'' newspaper published an article suggesting that the Charity Commission's Statutory Inquiry was a whitewash, as criticism of the deal and trustees was removed when the report was challenged by lawyers acting for Sir Ian Andrews. In the article the Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge questioned whether the commission was 'fit for purpose', due to the changes. Putney's MP, [[Fleur Anderson]] described the report as a 'whitewash'.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.thetimes.com/uk/law/article/charity-commission-whitewashed-land-sale-inquiry-after-legal-threats-xxvhvbdgm?shareToken=fe6e315188ab3395e4d7dc3605300bf2| title = The Times & The Sunday Times| website = [[The Times]]}}</ref>

==Keepers==

[[File:The Plain on the East of Wimbledon Common (North Facing View - 01).jpg|thumb|The Plain, an open area on the east side of Wimbledon Common]]

The Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act 1871 contains a provision to allow the Conservators to have Officers attested as constables<ref>Section 90 http://www.ledr.com/acts/wpca/1871024.htm#90</ref> for the purposes of enforcing the provisions of the Act and all bylaws made there under.

There was resistance at the time to a similar provision in the draft Bill that preceded the Act, whereby an article in ''The Spectator'' in January 1865 objected to the creation of 'Spencerian Police'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.spectator.co.uk/article/7th-january-1865/14/the-proposed-wimbledon-park-act-a-careful-consider|title=THE PROPOSED|work=The Spectator Archive}}</ref> The article refers to draft Bill as it was published in draft in 1864, whereby the article suggests that the Bill contained a provision for the appointment of Special Constables with full police powers. It would seem that this provision was removed in favour of the provision that allowed the attestation of constables just for the purposes of enforcing the Act itself and the byelaws made there under.

In addition to the ability to swear in constables, the Act creates a power of arrest for any officer of the Conservators or a constable when the details of a person suspected of committing a byelaws offences cannot be obtained (e.g. details refused or suspected of being false).<ref>Section 93- Arrest of Transient Offenders "Any constable or any officer of the Conservators, and all persons called by such constable or officer to his assistance, may without any other warrant than this Act, seize and detain any person offending or having offended against this Act, or any byelaw of the Conservators, whose name or address is unknown to such constable or officer, and convey him with all convenient despatch before a justice, to be dealt with according to law." http://www.ledr.com/acts/wpca/1871024.htm#93</ref> Whilst it is unlikely that this power would be used by anyone other than a Keeper in modern times, a theoretical power of arrest exists for any staff and for any member or the public that they call upon for assistance.

The historic role of the Keeper was captured in a 1959 [[British Pathé]] film, which showed them dressed in bowler hats and tweeds being inspected by the Warden (a former Lieutenant Colonel) before going about their daily routine of tackling summer fires and challenging golfers who were not in appropriate attire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britishpathe.com/video/park-rangers|title=Park Rangers|author=British Pathé|work=britishpathe.com}}</ref>

== Local geography ==

{{Geographic Location
|title = '''Destinations from Wimbledon Common'''
|Northwest = [[Putney Vale]], [[Richmond Park]]
|North     = [[Putney Heath]]
|Northeast = [[Southfields]]
|West      = [[Kingston Vale]], [[Coombe, Kingston upon Thames|Coombe]], [[Richmond Park]]
|Centre    = Wimbledon Common
|East      = [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]]
|Southwest = [[Coombe, Kingston upon Thames|Coombe]], [[New Malden]]
|South     = [[Raynes Park]]
|Southeast = [[Wimbledon Chase]]
}}

== Photo gallery ==

<gallery mode=packed heights=175px>
File:ISH_WC_WimbledonCommon2.jpg|Windmill & Ranger's Office
File:ISH_WC_WimbledonCommon1.jpg|An athlete from [[Belgrave Harriers]] trains near Rushmere
File:ISH_WC_WimbledonCommon3.jpg|Bluegate Pond
File:Windmill_Wimbledon_Common.jpg|Windmill
File:View_Windmill_Wimbledon_Common.jpg|Windmill
File:ISH_WC_WimbledonCommon4.jpg|Seven Post Pond
File:WimbledonCommon5.jpg|Rushmere Pond
File:WimbledonCommon6.jpg|Queensmere
</gallery>

==See also==

*[[Wimbledon Manor House]]
* [[List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Greater London]]
*''[[The Wombles]]''

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Wimbledon Common}}
{{Commons category|Putney Heath}}
{{Commons category|Lower Putney Common}}
*[http://www.wpcc.org.uk/ Wimbledon & Putney Commons Conservators]
*[http://www.thameshareandhounds.org.uk/ Thames Hare and Hounds Cross Country Club]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081121115854/http://www.wctimetrial.net/ Wimbledon Common Time Trial]
*[http://www.ledr.com/acts/wpca/1871024.htm The Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act 1871]
*[https://archive.today/20121224091051/http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/visit-woods/Pages/wood-details.aspx?wood=31426&site=Wimbledon-Common Wimbledon Common] on the VisitWoods website
*[https://archive.today/20121225013458/http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/visit-woods/Pages/wood-details.aspx?wood=31424&site=Putney-Lower-Common Putney Lower Common] on the VisitWoods website
*[http://myunclefred.blogspot.co.uk/ References in WWII diary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707150432/http://myunclefred.blogspot.co.uk/ |date=7 July 2017 }}
*[https://www.heritagedaily.com/2018/01/londons-iron-age-forts-fortifications/111120 London's Iron Age Forts & Fortifications - LiDAR maps]

{{Geochain box
|Geochain = Admiralty [[Semaphore line|Shutter telegraph line]] 1795
|type = station
|upwards = [[Chelsea Royal Hospital]]
|downwards = [[Malden Rushett|Cabbage Hill]]
|thisis = Putney Heath
}}
{{Geochain box
|Geochain = Admiralty [[Semaphore line]] 1822
|type = station
|upwards = [[Chelsea Royal Hospital]]
|downwards = [[Coombe, Kingston upon Thames|Coombe Warren]]
|thisis = Putney Heath
}}
{{English cricket venues to 1770}}
{{SSSIs Greater London}}
{{LB Wandsworth}}
{{Parks and open spaces in London}}
{{London landmarks}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|51|25|47|N|0|14|18|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wimbledon Common}}
[[Category:1730 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Ancient woods of London]]
[[Category:Common land in London]]
[[Category:Cricket grounds in Surrey]]
[[Category:Defunct cricket grounds in England]]
[[Category:Defunct sports venues in Surrey]]
[[Category:English cricket venues in the 18th century]]
[[Category:Forests and woodlands of London]]
[[Category:Fulham F.C. home grounds]]
[[Category:Napoleonic beacons in England]]
[[Category:Parks and open spaces in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames]]
[[Category:Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Merton]]
[[Category:Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Wandsworth]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in London]]
[[Category:Special Areas of Conservation in England]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1730]]
[[Category:The Wombles]]
[[Category:Walking in London]]
[[Category:Wimbledon, London]]