FRIENDS OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS
AND RUSTHALL COMMONS
The Commons are currently for sale
The Friends are exploring community ownership. The 25th March deadline is approaching. Over 1,200+ residents have already pledged support.
You can register a financial pledge today (no payment now).
As featured in 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 are now for sale, creating a rare opportunity to explore community ownership.
You can now pledge money on our website to support to support a community purchase. Over 1,200 people already have!
If you would prefer to speak to someone directly, you are very welcome to contact John Barber at johnspbarber@gmail.com.
Pledges will only be called upon when we have had our bid accepted.
If you want to know more about the sale, or to attend a public meeting, read our Sale FAQs.
Through fundraising and volunteer projects, we’ve supported vital work such as path restoration, habitat clearance and the purchase of tools and equipment. Many of our members also help with newsletters, social events and hands-on conservation. Together, we help preserve this unique landscape at the heart of our town.
“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
"We are glad to be supporting this ground-up initiative to restore and protect forever communities of nature and people in the High Weald of Kent."
- Christoph Warrack, CEO, Common Nature
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
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 1,200 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.
