Barnes Common facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barnes Common |
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Broom on Barnes Common
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| Type | Common land |
| Location | Barnes, London |
| Area | 49.55 hectares (122.4 acres) |
| Open | All year |
| Status | Local Nature Reserve |
Barnes Common is a large, open green space in Barnes, London, England. It's a special type of land called common land. This means it's an area that local people have traditionally been able to use.
The common is next to Putney Lower Common and has a main road, the Upper Richmond Road, along its southern edge. It covers about 49.55 hectares (which is about 122 acres). That's a huge area, making it one of the biggest common lands in London!
Barnes Common is also a Local Nature Reserve. This means it's a protected place for nature and wildlife. You can find different types of plants and animals here. The common has areas of mixed broadleaf woodland (forest with trees that lose their leaves), scrubland (bushes and small trees), and open grassy areas. It's mostly flat, making it easy to explore.
You can enjoy a full-size football pitch and a nature trail on the common. It's a great place for outdoor activities and learning about nature.
The land is owned by the Dean and Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral, but it's managed by the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. They get help from a group called the Friends of Barnes Common.
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Getting Around Barnes Common
It's easy to get to Barnes Common using public transport.
- By Train: Barnes railway station is located right on the edge of the common.
- By Bus: Several London Buses routes serve the common. You can take routes 33, 72, 265, and 485.
What Happened Here? History of Barnes Common
Barnes Common has a few interesting stories from the past.
A Musician's Memorial
On 16 September 1977, a famous singer and rock musician named Marc Bolan was in a car that crashed into a tree on the common. Today, there's a special place called Marc Bolan's Rock Shrine there to remember him. Fans still visit this spot.
Early Cricket Matches
Long ago, in August 1736, Barnes Common was even used for sports! A cricket match was played here between teams from Surrey and London. This is the only time we know for sure that a cricket game happened on the common, based on old records.
Who Helps Look After the Common?
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| Legal status | Not-for-profit membership organisation |
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| Headquarters | Barnes Common, Barnes, London SW13 0HT |
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Main organ
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On the Common (newsletter) |
| Affiliations | affiliated to Barnes Community Association and associated with the South West London Environment Network |
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Staff
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none |
The Friends of Barnes Common is a group of people who care deeply about this special green space. They are a not-for-profit organization. This means they don't aim to make money, but instead work to protect and improve the common.
They help the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames manage the common. They often organize events and activities to keep the common a great place for everyone to enjoy. They also publish a newsletter called On the Common.
