Inventory Site Record

Adjoining Richmond Park and separated from it by a brick wall, Sheen Common was once part of the extensive common land predating the formation of Richmond Park. In the C18th George III had a farm to the west of the common near the parish boundary and King's Ride recalls the route from Kew Palace to the farm and Richmond Park. In 1845 the parish pound was moved to the common, which remained in the ownership of the Lord of the Manor until the East Sheen Common Preservation Society purchased the freehold in 1880. Today, owned by the National Trust and leased by Richmond Council, East Sheen Common consists of woodland, a cricket field, tennis courts and a bowling green.

Previous / Other name:

Sheen Common

Site location:

Fife Road/King's Ride, Sheen

Postcode:

SW14

What 3 Words:

seat.type.crush

Type of site:

Public Open Land

Borough:

Richmond

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Football pitches, cricket square, bowling green, tennis courts, toilets.

Events:

Public transport:

Rail: North Sheen. Bus: 485, 33, 337.

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Research updated:

01/03/2004

Last minor changes:

19/07/2023

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

The East Sheen Common Preservation Society purchased the freehold of the common from Lord of the Manor, Earl Spencer, for £2,500, together with an additional £1,000 for their right to use the Rifle Butt that had been built on the Common by subscription in 1860 for the use of the 9th Surrey Royal Volunteers Corps, and later used by the Inns of Court Volunteers. In addition to the rifle range, previous uses of the common include a ladies golf course and a gravel extraction site, evidence of which can be seen in the uneven ground in the wooded area of the common. On its west flank is East Sheen Cemetery (q.v.).

Sources consulted:

John Archer, David Curson, 'Nature Conservation in Richmond upon Thames, Ecology Handbook 21', (London Ecology Unit) 1993 p45; John Eustace Anderson 'A History of Mortlake', 1886 (facsimile with amendments by Raymond Gill, 1983)

Grid ref:

TQ195746 (519550,174650)

Size in hectares:

21.29

Site ownership:

National Trust, leased to LB Richmond

Site management:

LB Richmond Environment Planning and Review, Parks and Open Spaces/Friends of Sheen Common

Date(s):

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

None

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

Yes: Common (CL65)

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

Not known

Nature Conservation Area:

Yes - Metropolitan Importance

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

Yes

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None