Cumbria contains a third of the common land in England. Common land is land owned by a person or organisation and Cumbria has over 630 registered commons. Commoners have certain rights of common over the land  - these rights of include those for grazing animals, cutting bracken, collecting wood or sticks (estovers) , stone, cutting peat (turbary), and fishing (piscary). In Cumbria, common land is usually the unenclosed fell land (but it can also be saltmarsh and coastal land), and the public has a right to walk on it. Common land is important not only as the unspoilt and attractive uplands, but it is also valuable for wildlife and habitats, and cultural heritage.

We campaign for the importance of common land and town and village greens to be recognised, and increase the understanding of how complex the issues and laws related to these areas are. In addition, we will give free advice on common land and town and village green issues to Friends of the Lake District members.

Cumbria also has a large number of town and village greens whose purpose is for people to enjoy sports and other recreation. Such green spaces can be very important in our towns and villages but are often forgotten, undermanaged and have had illegal developments built on them. The Our Green Space www.ourgreenspace.org.uk project is trying to highlight these issues and find solutions.

Protecting our Commons and Village Greens

Friends of the Lake District has a long history of protecting common land and village greens and it is largely due to one of our members that many areas are registered and protected today. The law relating to common land and town and village greens is complex, and there is a general lack of understanding of the importance and value of these areas and the issues involved. This often leads to illegal or poor development on such land. Commons are largely open areas and we try and avoid them becoming fenced off [pic of armboth]. The number of people exercising their common rights (including grazing) is declining, and with no one to look after them, they are in danger of losing their special features and culture. These areas need recognition and help if they are to continue.

Raising awareness

We work with other organisations, such as the Federation of Cumbria Commoners and the Open Spaces Society, to highlight the importance of and issues on common land. We advise Defra on common land issues via their National Common Land Stakeholder Forum. Through our ownership of Little Asby Common, we try and support the commoners and ensure that the traditions of commoning continue.