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
An update on Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons
Following the Friends’ bid to acquire Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons earlier this year, we are now able to share an update on the latest position.
Our bid was not accepted, and the Commons have subsequently been remarketed as part of a wider estate that includes the Upper Pantiles. While this represents a different proposition from the one we originally considered, it may also create further opportunities for the Friends to pursue community ownership of the Commons.
With more than 3,000 people having pledged their support, the strength of feeling within our community remains clear. We are continuing to explore what opportunities may now be available and will keep supporters updated as discussions progress.
Below, our Chair, Roger, shares the full update.
Dear Supporters,
I’m writing to update you on the latest position regarding our campaign to bring Tunbridge Wells and Rusthall Commons into community ownership.
As you know, the Friends submitted a bid for the Commons in April, following the wonderful and enthusiastic response from the community and the many pledges of financial support we received. Unfortunately, our bid was not accepted. There remained a significant gap between the Friends’ assessment of value and the vendor’s expectations.
Targetfollow has now announced that the Commons are being remarketed as part of a wider estate that includes the Upper Pantiles. While this is a significantly different commercial proposition, it may also create further opportunities to secure the Commons separately. We have already begun constructive discussions and will continue to engage with prospective purchasers where appropriate.
Although there are no guarantees, we remain committed to exploring every possible route towards community ownership of the Commons. We will keep you updated as these discussions progress.
The response from the community earlier this year was extraordinary. More than 3,000 people pledged their support, demonstrating just how much these special places mean to local people. Your pledge remains an important demonstration of that community support and strengthens our position in future discussions.
There are no immediate plans to call on community pledges. However, if your circumstances have changed since making your pledge, we would be grateful if you could let us know, as this may affect our negotiating position.
Thank you once again for your continuing support. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has stood behind the campaign so far, and we will continue to do everything we can to secure the Commons for the community.
Roger
Chair, Friends of the Commons
Further information
The new BNP Paribas sales brochure for the wider estate is available to view here.
Upcoming Events
Open Spaces Society Members’ Day
Saturday 19th September 2026
Dorchester on Thames, Oxfordshire
The Open Spaces Society is holding a special Members’ Day in Dorchester on Thames, celebrating the successful campaign to secure two village greens and improved public paths in the area.
The day will include talks on the history and landscape of Dorchester, a presentation from local campaigners, lunch and a circular walk across the Thames to the ancient Wittenham Clumps.
Booking closes Friday 4th September
Find out more and book your place here.
VOLUNTEERING DATES
Litter picking & clearance work ( tools provided and supervision).
Saturday 3rd October Location to be announced nearer the date.
NATURE WALKS
BAT EVENING 10th September
FUNGI WALK with Martin Allison 1st October
Locations given nearer the dates, and also check The Commons Conservators website or their Facebook pa
