Rest-harrow
Common land is often important for wildlife.
Assley, Hareley, Hawkesbury and Inglestone Commons are no exception. The Commons are designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI), signifying their county importance to wildlife, and some parts of the Commons are nationally important for wildlife and are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Assley, Hareley, Hawkesbury and Inglestone Commons have areas of agriculturally unimproved, neutral grassland. It is estimated that less than 15,000 hectares of this species-rich habitat, which has catastrophically declined by as much as 97% over the past 60 years or so, now survives in the UK.
As well as rare habitats, Assley, Hareley, Hawkesbury and Inglestone Commons also have several rare are legally protected species. In particular, the ponds on the Commons are very rich in wildlife, including tassel stonewort, the very rare fairy shrimp, and adder's-tongue spearwort, which is known on only one other site in the UK. You can read more about the species and habitats of the Commons in the wildlife section of this website.
Common land also has much historic and cultural value.
The exercise of rights of common often goes back hundreds of years, and can be traced back through generations. In rural areas, common land is often still an integral part of the farmed environment and Assley, Hareley, Hawkesbury and Inglestone Commons are still managed traditionally, farmed by local rights holders. Grazing is the most wildlife-friendly management for species-rich grassland, and the cattle are also vital for the rare species living in the ponds, which rely on trampling to complete their life-cycles. On most lowland commons the exercise of grazing rights is in decline; Assley, Hareley, Hawkesbury and Inglestone Commons are special because these rights are still being used to enable beneficial and sustainable management for wildlife.
Common land is a resource for everybody.
Most common land is accessible for the public to enjoy, and Assley, Hareley, Hawkesbury and Inglestone Commons are a wonderful place to walk and explore. The Scheme of Management for the Commons , which was drawn up in 1925, gives the 'inhabitants of the district and neighbourhood' a right of access on the Commons. More recently, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 gives the general public a ‘right to roam’ on most common land. This right to roam gives a right to explore common land on foot. There are some restrictions to this right; for example dogs need to be kept on a lead around livestock, disturbance or damage to wildlife should be avoided, and lighting fires and camping is not permitted.
Assley, Hareley, Hawkesbury and Inglestone Commons are no exception. The Commons are designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI), signifying their county importance to wildlife, and some parts of the Commons are nationally important for wildlife and are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Assley, Hareley, Hawkesbury and Inglestone Commons have areas of agriculturally unimproved, neutral grassland. It is estimated that less than 15,000 hectares of this species-rich habitat, which has catastrophically declined by as much as 97% over the past 60 years or so, now survives in the UK.
As well as rare habitats, Assley, Hareley, Hawkesbury and Inglestone Commons also have several rare are legally protected species. In particular, the ponds on the Commons are very rich in wildlife, including tassel stonewort, the very rare fairy shrimp, and adder's-tongue spearwort, which is known on only one other site in the UK. You can read more about the species and habitats of the Commons in the wildlife section of this website.
Common land also has much historic and cultural value.
The exercise of rights of common often goes back hundreds of years, and can be traced back through generations. In rural areas, common land is often still an integral part of the farmed environment and Assley, Hareley, Hawkesbury and Inglestone Commons are still managed traditionally, farmed by local rights holders. Grazing is the most wildlife-friendly management for species-rich grassland, and the cattle are also vital for the rare species living in the ponds, which rely on trampling to complete their life-cycles. On most lowland commons the exercise of grazing rights is in decline; Assley, Hareley, Hawkesbury and Inglestone Commons are special because these rights are still being used to enable beneficial and sustainable management for wildlife.
Common land is a resource for everybody.
Most common land is accessible for the public to enjoy, and Assley, Hareley, Hawkesbury and Inglestone Commons are a wonderful place to walk and explore. The Scheme of Management for the Commons , which was drawn up in 1925, gives the 'inhabitants of the district and neighbourhood' a right of access on the Commons. More recently, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 gives the general public a ‘right to roam’ on most common land. This right to roam gives a right to explore common land on foot. There are some restrictions to this right; for example dogs need to be kept on a lead around livestock, disturbance or damage to wildlife should be avoided, and lighting fires and camping is not permitted.