Hayes Common, Public land in Hayes, London Borough of Bromley, England
Hayes Common is a protected natural area in the London Borough of Bromley covering approximately 79 hectares of woodland and heathland. A network of footpaths and bridleways runs through the site, connecting different parts of the landscape and allowing visitors to explore on foot or horseback.
The site became protected in 1869 as the first common safeguarded under the Metropolitan Commons Act of 1866, after residents opposed residential development. This early protection marked a significant step in preserving open spaces within the expanding city.
The London May Queen crowning ceremony takes place at Hayes Common, maintaining a tradition that spans over one hundred years of community celebrations.
Visitors can enter through multiple access points including Baston Road, Five Elms Road, Croydon Road, and West Common Road. The terrain is open to both walkers and riders, and conditions may vary depending on the season and recent weather.
Archaeological digs at the site uncovered artifacts from the late Stone Age and structures like ditches, pits, and post holes from the Bronze Age. These discoveries reveal that people lived and worked in this area for thousands of years.
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