FRIENDS OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS
AND RUSTHALL COMMONS
The Commons are currently for sale
The Friends submitted a community bid and remain ready should circumstances change. Over 3,000 residents have pledged support.
Learn more about the sale and the community bid.
The community bid attracted coverage from The Guardian, The BBC and The Telegraph.
Welcome
The Friends of Tunbridge Wells & Rusthall Commons are a local registered charity working alongside the Commons Conservators to care for the Commons.
The Commons were recently put up for sale, creating a rare opportunity to secure community ownership. The Friends submitted a carefully prepared community bid reflecting both the unique legal status of the Commons and the responsibilities that come with their stewardship.
Considering ownership of the Commons?
View key legal, planning and environmental facts relevant to ownership →
The Friends remain committed to community ownership and stand ready should circumstances change.
If you want to know more about the sale, the community bid and community ownership please read our Sale FAQs. If you would like to speak to someone directly, you are very welcome to contact John Barber at johnspbarber@gmail.com.
Alongside this work, The Friends continue to support practical conservation through fundraising and volunteer projects including path restoration, habitat management and the purchase of tools and equipment. Together, we help protect this unique landscape at the heart of our town.
"I support local efforts to buy the common. "
- Dale Vince OBE, Founder of Ecotricity
“The Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons are unique natural spaces at the heart of the town.
Securing them in community ownership would help ensure they continue to thrive for wildlife and remain inspiring places for future generations.”
- Jenny Scholfield, Regional Director, The Woodland Trust
"I support The Friends' initiative to purchase the Commons on behalf of the community".
- Mike Martin, Member of Parliament for Tunbridge Wells
Join us
The Friends of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons Charity brings together residents who have a love of the Commons.
Membership includes regular newsletters, full of updates and interesting reports from the Ranger and our Natural History specialist. Periodically we arrange nature-based events for children and, for adults, members receive priority booking to our social events. You will receive a New Members pack, which includes FREE copies of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons trail maps!
We are a registered charity (No. 1013975) helping to look after the Commons for the benefit of the community and wildlife.
Please consider joining us and help support the work we do.
Periodically we arrange nature events for children, and for adults a variety of social events. Members receive priority booking plus a discount. In addition, our New Members pack, includes FREE copies of Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons trail maps!
Join us and help protect the
Commons for the future
Make a Difference
Help preserve our Commons for future generations
While membership subscriptions enable us to undertake a rolling programme of projects to help improve the Commons, donations allow us to finance more of the vital works needed to help maintain the Commons.
Every contribution you make, large or small, is important
and helps make a real difference.
News & Events
News Update
Wildlife Walk April 2026
There were lots of people who joined for the first wildlife walk of the year, guided by the Michael Blencowe.
Campaign Update – March 2026
The Commons were placed on the market by their private owner in late 2025. Since then, the response from local residents has been extraordinary.
• Public meetings have been oversubscribed
• Over 2,900 residents have registered financial pledges
• The campaign has received national media coverage, including The Guardian, the BBC and The Telegraph
The Friends are now preparing a community bid ahead of the 25th March deadline.
Our goal is simple: to explore whether community ownership can provide long-term certainty for a much-loved landscape that exists for public enjoyment, nature and heritage.
If you would like to help:
👉 Register a financial pledge (no payment now)
👉 Share this page with others
👉 Read our Sale FAQs
The next few weeks matter.
Upcoming Events
VOLUNTEERING DATES
SATURDAY JULY 4TH ( location details to be given nearer the dates.)
SATURDAY AUGUST 1st
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5th
SATURDAY OCTOBER 3rd.
NATURE WALKS
BUTTERFLY WALK with Michael Blencowe 9th July
MOTHS BREAKFAST with Michael Blencowe 21st July
NATURE WALK with Michael Blencowe 15th August
BAT EVENING 10th September
FUNGI WALK with Martin Allison 1st October
Locations given nearer the dates, and also check The Commons Conservators website
twcommons.org or their Facebook page.
