History of the Esher Commons The history of the The Portsmouth Road and Copsem Lane provided During the First World War, many of the pines were Despite the SSSI Commons stretches routes into London for merchants transporting their felled for pit props and for war use, and open designation, the back 6,000 years to the goods and this led to ‘Coal and Wine’ tax posts being heathland would have recovered to some extent. A3 Esher bypass Neolithic or early erected on all roads and byways where they crossed Following a large fire on Esher Common at the divided Esher Common Bronze Age when the into the Metropolitan Police District. Importers had beginning of the twenties, more trees were planted. in 1974. To compensate, first significant clearing to pay dues (or a tax) to the City Corporation for the approximately 36 hectares of of the original upkeep of the orphan children of London citizens. In 1922 the major Commons came into public exchange land became part of the ‘wildwood’ began. This The white painted cast iron posts themselves date ownership when the Manors of Esher and Milbourne Commons. The Ledges were added to West End ‘wildwood’ probably from the 1860s, some thirty years before the tax was were purchased by the Esher Urban Common, and the area including Middle Pond covered the whole of discontinued in the 1890s. An example can be seen District Council from the Claremont became part of Esher Common. Britain and in the case of the Commons it was at the junction of Copsem Lane and Sandy Lane. Estate. The Commons subsequently cleared for small-scale cultivation. The soil was came into the ownership of Running east to west across the northern part easily worked for agriculture but soon became Black Pond on Esher Common was used as a water Elmbridge Borough Council of the Commons is a 275,000 volt overhead impoverished (podsolised) as the mineral and supply for the nearby Claremont Ornamental following its formation in 1974. transmission line belonging to The National Grid organic matter was washed out, leading to the Gardens (now owned by the National Trust); Company plc. This is a section of the West appearance of heathland with heather, grasses and the water was brought by pipe up from the pond, During the Second World War, trees Weybridge to Chessington line. birch trees being the dominant plants. where a pony worked the water wheel that were again felled for the war effort pumped it. The remains of the pump and the Commons were used for The Elmbridge Countryside Team undertake work Neolithic flint implements have been found on the house can still be found on the north army training and the siting of on all the Elmbridge Commons to ensure the variety Ledges and there is evidence of a settlement on side of the pond. On the north anti-aircraft guns. The remains of of habitats is maintained, both for the enjoyment of Round Hill, Esher Common. side of Horseshoe Clump can one gun emplacement can be found on visitors and for the benefits of wildlife. be seen the remains of rifle the top of the Ledges. The Canadian The open appearance of the Common would have butts, where the Victorian Army used Oxshott Heath as a base and the In 2006, the Esher Commons SSSI Restoration and been maintained by local commoners grazing their and Edwardians learned to remains of their baseball pitch can be seen Management Plan was developed in partnership animals (mainly sheep) and occasionally burning the shoot. It is believed they were below the south slope. The sand pit on Oxshott with Natural England with support from the heath. Trees would have been harvested regularly abandoned after the First World War. Heath was originally dug to provide sand for local Forestry Commission. This 15-year plan aims to for firewood. Little changed for many centuries. brick makers. It then provided material for many restore former grass, heath and wetland habitats. However, by the 19th century heathland on these of the sand bags used in Kingston Upon Thames 22.6 hectares are marked for restoration over a poor soils came to be regarded as during the Blitz. five-year unproductive and scots pine was period. introduced to the area for timber. In 1955, the Commons were designated a Site The first These trees grew well on the of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by the Nature management poor heathland soil and with Conservancy Council (latterly English Nature, now works began the decline and eventual Natural England), the statutory body for nature in autumn cessation of grazing, mixed conservation. This designation increased the 2006. woodland quickly spread to protection of the site and focussed attention on cover much of the Commons. the tremendous variety of habitats found here. Being so close to London, Elmbridge Borough We can also provide this document in Other projects Council is fortunate to own and manage 14 countryside sites, which cover 550 hectares, for the large print, on tape, in Braille and in and contacts benefit of wildlife and recreation. The largest area, the Esher Commons covers 360 hectares and is the languages shown below. Please Elmbridge Countryside Volunteers valued so highly it has been designated by the Local volunteers meet for practical conservation Government as a Site of Special Scientific Interest contact us on 01372 474582 or email tasks on the last Wednesday of every month. (SSSI). It was chosen for its wildlife value as well as providing a valuable green space for the local [email protected] for Link Up with Nature community. Curriculum based environmental education more information. lessons, led by a member of the Countryside Team In this leaflet you will find out more about the Esher on a countryside site. Commons, its SSSI status, the best places to visit and For people whose first language is not English, we how to access them. The history of the Commons will will endeavour to provide this leaflet in a way which Guided Walks Programme give you a fascinating insight into why the Commons you can understand. Themed walks led by a Countryside Ranger look the way they do today, what they were used for through the Elmbridge Countryside. during the war and the types of animals and plant life that call the Esher Commons their home. Countryside Newsletter The Countryside Newsletter is produced three C AB a m e 1 T h s r Hurst Pool e times a year and will keep you informed about all i v R Hampton Court Hampton Bridge matters relating to the Elmbridge Countryside. EAST Court Elmbridge Xcel WEST MOLESEY Leisure Complex If you would like to receive the newsletter direct MOLESEY THAMES DITTON to your home, either by email or paper copy, Thames Se desiderate ulteriori informazioni nella vostra lingua, a Ditton LONG Walton DITTON Bridge WALTON-ON log on to the website and complete the on-line THAMES WESTON caratteri grandi, su cassetta, o in Braille, siete pregati di Walton Pool GREEN form or contact the Countryside Team. Esher contattarci all'indirizzo o al numero di telefono indicati sul Hersham HINCHLEY WOOD OATLANDS Sandown Park Elmbridge WEYBRIDGE Racecourse A309 Museum presente documento. ESHER 2 A244 Elmbridge Civic Centre Walton-On- Thames HERSHAM To contact the Countryside Team CLAYGATE Claygate Weybridge Claremont Landscape Gardens about any of these issues or projects Brooklands Si desea recibir más información en su lengua, en un Museum please call 01372 474582 or email A3 tamaño de fuente mayor, en casete o en Braille, póngase A2 45 OXSHOTT Oxshott en contacto con nosotros en la dirección o mediante el [email protected] or visit COBHAM 3 número de teléfono que aparecen en este documento. Painshill Park STOKE www.elmbridge.gov.uk/countryside D’ABERNON Stoke M 25 D’Abernon National Grid owns the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, which includes some 7,200 miles of overhead lines and 340 substations, and also operates the system across Great Britain. ● = Esher Commons It has supported a number of nature conservation initiatives, including working with Elmbridge Borough Council’s Leisure and Printed on 100% recycled paper Cultural Services Countryside Team to protect and extend the Produced by Leisure and Cultural Services, © Crown Copyright All Rights Reserved. heathland habitat that exists beneath the transmission line that Elmbridge Borough Council. February 2007 Elmbridge Borough Council 2005. Licence No 100024882 crosses the Elmbridge Commons. ELMBRIDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL ... bridging the communities ....