The common is some 126-7 acres in extent it is continuous with Putney Common. The Dean and Chapter of St Paul's have rights over the common although it is managed by the local authority which presently is the London Borough of Richmond on Thames. The Dean and Chapters rights derive from the gift of the Manor to them by the Anglo-Saxon King Athelstan (dates about 895-939). The common was only drained in the last quarter of the 19th century the level of the ground was also raised, making drainage easier, by earth from the Barn Elms reservoirs. The resulting improvement in the ground allowed the cricket pitch to be provided on Mill Hill road. The boundary between the Barnes and Putney sections of common is indicated on the Mill Hill road by the old gate house. The occupant of the gate house used to be responsible for opening and closing the gate and ensuring the cattle on the common stayed there.

The congruence of the Barnes and Putney commoners obviously needed smoothing occasionally. There are extant Wimbledon Court Rolls which record on the 27th November in the 32nd year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I that:

Whereas divers controversies and contentions have been moved, and do yet remayne, between the inhabitants of Putney and the inhabitants of Barnes, touching the Commons and wast ground of both the said townships, where the said inhabitants of Putney have tyme out of mind entercommoned with thother until of late their controversies growinge, the said inhabitants of Barnes have denyed Putney to be entercommoned there, and thereupon have ympounded divers of their cattels to the great disquiet and hindrance of the said inhabitants of Putney

The Manor Court have appointed Robt. Beale, Robert Davies, Simon Warde, and Nicholas Adams (of Barnes) to meet four gentlemen to represent Putney to hear and examyn the proofs and allegations of both sides for the usage of the said Common.

O/S Co-ords:2247.7858
Source(s):

A History of Barnes