Welcome to Crowborough Common.  Crowborough Common is a beautiful area of undulating, mature heathland set close to one of the highest points in Sussex, with spectacular views to the South Downs.

Covering 222 acres, the common forms part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is the largest public recreation space within the town boundary.

Crowborough Common can be traced back to 1564 and ‘rights to air and exercise’ for the public were formalised in 1906 by the 8th Earl De La Warr.  Crowborough Beacon Golf Club, established in 1895, maintains a highly-rated course on part of the common.

The public may access all areas of the common on foot, including the golfing areas.  This right of access is not restricted to public footpaths. 

Golfers should give way to walkers - the 1936 Order states that 'Golfers...must avoid driving into those who are enjoying the right to air and exercise'.  Members of the public must not interfere with the game of golf.  Please avoid walking on the greens and tees.

Most of the common is heathland and woodland, with less than half of the total area occupied by the golf course.

In March 2009, Crowborough Common was the subject of a public inquiry.  The purpose of the inquiry was to decide an application made by the golf club. Over 450 people attended the opening of the inquiry.  As a result, there is now a large informal group who care about the common and keep in regular contact.  The golf club's application was rejected.  Click here to see the inspector's decision.

Len Wickham, an authority on the history of Crowborough Common and contributor to this website, has recently been featured in Ashdown Forest Living magazine: 

Click here for a pdf of this article

 'On the Common'  Reproduced with the kind permission of Michael Edwards  Tel: 07979 497907