Common Land Explained

Whilst watching a property show a few weeks ago I was impressed to see a lady in Bath using Common Land (a village green area) to graze her rather remarkable herd of Dexter Cattle. The cows were basically left to roam around areas within the city grazing on the grass and bushes around them.  Pedestrians, cyclists, joggers and mothers with prams would sometimes have to deviate around them to pass on footpaths that snake across the land. Most people seemed happy with the arrangements especially the owner who is allowed to graze her cattle on this land completely free of charge.

Common land can be used for grazing livestock...very useful indeed!

So what is Common Land exactly and what can be done with it? (Info taken from directgov.co.uk)

Common Land is land, usually in private ownership, that has rights of common over it. The main features of common land are that it is generally open, unfenced and remote – particularly in the upland areas of England and Wales. However, there are some lowland areas of common, particularly in the south-east of England, that are important for recreational uses.

Currently, the general public have no rights to go onto Common Land unless the land is an urban common, or is crossed by public rights of way (and they follow the line of the right of way). However, the government’s legislation in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to permit public access to open countryside may now also include access to common land.

Nature England have published maps showing the land (including Commons) to which the public have access in this locality.

Rights of Common can include:

1. grazing sheep or cattle (herbage)

2. taking peat or turf (turbary)

3. taking wood, gorse or furze (estovers)

4. taking of fish (piscary)

5. eating of acorns or beechmast by pigs (pannage)

The people who are able to exercise the rights listed above are generally known as ‘commoners’.

Common Land and rights are a very ancient institution – even older than Parliament itself. They are part of the fabric of life in England and Wales and have their origins in the manorial system.