Putney Lower Common is a part of Wimbledon and Putney Commons

Wimbledon and Putney Commons

Wimbledon Common is a large open space in Wimbledon south-west London, totalling 460 hectares . There are three named areas: Wimbledon Common, Putney Heath, and Putney Lower Common which together are managed under the name Wimbledon and Putney Commons...

, lying about 1.5 miles north of the rest, between the Lower Richmond Road and the River Thames

River Thames

The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...

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Putney was probably settled during the Roman occupation. Lower Richmond Road was probably a Roman Road, and the Lower Common open pasture and farmland.

Land was lost in the 19th century when Elm Lodge was built. This was rebuilt in 1912 as Putney Hospital. The common also includes Putney Lower Common Cemetery which was established in 1858.

In 1871 the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act was passed which prevented further building. The Common still provides traditional activities associated with commons before they were overtaken urbanisation and enclosure - cricket is played in the summer and there is a fairground on bank holidays. In the south-east corner lies All Saints' Church

All Saints' Church, Putney Common

All Saints Church, Putney is an Anglican church in London, located on Putney Common.All Saints is one of the two churches in the Parish of Putney, the other being St. Mary's Church, Putney...

, built in 1874. The number 22

London Buses route 22

London Buses route 22 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Go-Ahead London.-History:...

bus route begins at the Spencer Arms, at the North East corner of the common.