Please become a "Friend" of the Commons and help protect some of  South Oxfordshire’s and the Chilterns’  finest Common Land.

Nettlebed and District Commons is the collective name for 227 hectares (560 acres) of Common Land in South Oxfordshire administered by Conservators appointed under the powers of "The Nettlebed and District Commons (Preservation) Act 1906." The Commons cover a wide and varied habitat including beautiful beech, birch and oak woods, heathland, grassland, clay pits, an ancient earthwork, an old well and miles of tracks and paths.

Since 1906, the Nettlebed and District Commons have been defined and protected by an Act of Parliament which also established the Commons Conservators.

The nine Conservators have the responsibility of managing the commons which includes preventing encroachment, and organising grass cutting, pond clearance, tree surgery and litter collection. More recently they have enlisted the help of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), to help manage parts of the Commons for wildlife and to maintain access for all.

In 1995 BBOWT prepared a management plan for the Commons detailing a range of nature conservation projects. Funding was obtained for ten years from the Countryside Stewardship scheme administered by the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA). This money enabled the Conservators and BBOWT to implement maintenance and improvement of the heathland on Nettlebed, Kingwood and Peppard Commons, the grassland on Nettlebed and Peppard Commons and the marshland on Nettlebed Common.

Heathland is a rare and threatened habitat in Britain and especially in Oxfordshire. Much has been lost to housing and other development, forestry and through the abandonment of grazing. Management work is needed in order to keep the open heaths from becoming scrub and woodland which shade out the characteristic heather.

In addition to the help and advice given by BBOWT we also receive valuable assistance from The Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum, The Chilterns Conservation Board , SODC and other wildlife and countryside experts.



"The Friends of Nettlebed and District Commons" is open for all to join and has the objective of involving as many local residents as possible with the Common Land.

"Friends" are asked to give a minimum annual donation to help with on-going maintenance work of £10, due on the 1st of April, and to help where possible by:
- making  additional donations to the Conservators
- taking part in conservation work
- being aware of day to day tidiness
- reporting any problems
- acting as ambassadors for the Commons to the general public.
- species surveys
- researching the history of the commons

The Commons Conservators receive some money in the form of funding from SODC (25% of outgoings) and donations from the parish councils, but these do not cover all the costs.

The Conservators would be delighted if you would give us your support by becoming a "Friend of the Commons". On receipt of your donation we will send you a specially produced 21 page booklet describing the Commons and their history. We will then send you regular newsletters and invite you to attend the annual social meeting and maybe, help with work parties.