Putney Lower Common facts for kids

Putney Lower Common is a special part of Wimbledon and Putney Commons. It is located about 1.5 miles north of the main common, nestled between the Lower Richmond Road and the famous River Thames.

History of Putney Common

Putney was likely settled a very long time ago, during the time of the Romans. The Lower Richmond Road might have been a Roman road. Back then, Putney Lower Common was probably open land used for grazing animals and farming.

In the 1800s, some of this land was used to build a large house called Elm Lodge.

Putney Hospital Site

Elm Lodge was rebuilt in 1912 and became Putney Hospital. This hospital was funded by generous donations from people like Sir Henry Chester and Sir William Lancaster.

The hospital closed in 1998 and has been empty since then. The local council, Wandsworth Council, bought the hospital site. Since 2010, they have planned to build a new primary school there. To help pay for the school, 24 new apartments are being built on the northern part of the site.

There have been some challenges with building the school and flats. Access to the hospital site has been difficult. A local resident even went to court in 2013 to question the sale of access to the land. The resident felt that selling this access was not allowed under the old laws that protect the Common. The resident lost the case, but it showed how important the Common is to local people.

After the court case, a small strip of common land was paved to create a new private road. This road provides access to the new school and apartments. New footpaths, barriers, and street lighting were also added. However, a larger part of the common, which was used for hospital parking, will be turned back into grass.

The group "Friends of Putney Common" and some local residents have continued to disagree with Wandsworth Council's plans.

Charity Commission Inquiry

In 2016, the Charity Commission, which oversees charities, started an investigation into the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators. They looked into how the land was managed and whether the access land was sold for less than it was worth. A report in 2020 suggested that the land might have been sold for less than its true value.

Putney Common Activities

Putney Lower Common is also home to Putney Lower Common Cemetery, which opened in 1858.

In 1871, a special law called the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act was passed. This law stopped any more buildings from being built on the Common. This helps keep the Common as a natural, open space.

Today, the Common is still used for many traditional activities. In the summer, you can often see cricket games being played. There is also a fairground on bank holidays, which is a fun place to visit.

In the south-east corner of the Common, you will find All Saints' Church, built in 1874. The number 22 bus route starts nearby, at the Spencer Arms pub, on the north-east side of the Common.

Images for kids

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  All Saints' Church

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  The number 22 bus terminus

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  Putney Cricket Club