Wimbledon and Putney Commons

VISITOR INFORMATION

PATH EROSION - Following the storms and beyond torrential rain in the early hours of Tuesday morning, a number of paths across the Commons have suffered erosion due to the sheer volume and force of the water.

We're pleased to report that many of the recently improved paths have held up well, demonstrating the benefits of the work carried out over recent years. However, some of the older paths have been affected and will require repair.

Please bear with us while our teams carry out these works. They are balancing repairs alongside their many other responsibilities and, like everyone else, are working through the challenges of the current high temperatures.

TREE STRESS - The recent pattern of prolonged dry weather, extreme heat and sudden heavy rainfall is also placing trees under significant stress. This is not unique to Wimbledon and Putney Commons – it is being seen across the country.

Whilst we carry out regular tree inspections and proactive management, stressed trees can sometimes shed limbs or, more rarely, fail without any obvious warning signs. We ask all visitors to remain aware of their surroundings, particularly during periods of extreme weather.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

The survey closes on 30 June so last few days to get a response in!

Calling all dog walkers!

The team at WPCC is looking to better understand how people use Wimbledon Common, Putney Heath and Putney Lower Common when walking their dogs. Whether you visit every day or only occasionally, we would value your input.

The survey should take just a couple of minutes to complete, and the feedback will help us build a clearer picture of how the Commons are used and enjoyed by dog walkers. This will in turn help inform future planning for the Commons and allow us to continue developing better communication and engagement with the dog walking community.

You can find the form here: https://bit.ly/dog-walking-survey

We look forward to hearing from you before the survey ends on 30 June 2026!

AMBER and RED WEATHER WARNINGS FOR HEAT
VISITING THE COMMONS DURING THE HOT WEATHER

The Met Office have issued both Amber and Red weather warnings for extreme heat during this week.

With conditions remaining very dry, we’re asking everyone to take a few simple steps to look after themselves, their families, their dogs and, of course, the Commons.

BBQs AND FIRES ARE NOT PERMITTED - We know how tempting a summer BBQ can be, but fires of any kind are not allowed on the Commons at any time. Our teams will extinguish any fire as soon as we’re made aware of it.

CI******ES - PLEASE DISPOSE OF WITH CARE - We’d really appreciate it if you could avoid smoking on the Commons during the heatwave but if you do smoke, please make sure your cigarette is completely put out, picked up, and taken away. Even when it looks like it’s out, the remaining heat can still start a fire.

DOGS - Please Don’t Risk It - It's too hot - leave them at home. If we come across a dog left in a car, we will contact the police or break in ourselves. It only takes a few minutes for the temperature inside to become dangerously high — even with a window open.

DOGS AND PONDS – If you do bring your dogs, please note that our “dogs out of ponds” rule IS STILL IN PLACE and, whilst we would generally permit a paddle at the edge of the water for a cool down in these high temperatures, the ponds are at high risk from BLUE/GREEN ALGAE. Please bring your own water for your dogs and a means to keep them cool.

RUBBISH - If the bins are full, please take your ruibbish home.

These Commons are incredibly important, not only for your exercise and recreation, but also for our wildlife and rare heathland habitat. Your help in being vigilant during this hot weather is critical in helping us to protect them.

If you smell or see smoke or see a small fire starting, do immediately call the Ranger's Office on 020 8788 7655 or, if the fire has taken hold, call 999 then call the Ranger's Office. Likewise if you need any help or assistance, our staff are here to help.

- to just a few days ago when the Conservators and WPCC team officially celebrated the restoration and rewilding of Queensmere. 

With a beautiful backdrop of the newly blooming wildflower banks and reedbed, we enjoyed speeches from , Chairman of the Conservators; Emma Edgell representing the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan office who generously awarded a grant for the project; Deputy Chair of the Conservators, Sue Bucknall, unveiled the new information lectern (with graphics by local artist Susan Bunn) and the local Roehampton Church Forest School Forest School gave a rousing performance of We will Croak You, their very own song about the pond. 

THANK YOU to all who attended; our bench donors and other supporters. 

Do visit Queensmere if you're passing to see its transformation - plus it's lovely and cool there! 

The Windmill Museum Trustees are really in need of some extra volunteers - only 3 hours on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and only open during the summer. You get to chat to people, tell them stories of the windmill and make flour. If you can help, send them a direct message, and email or use the website contact form
https://www.wimbledonwindmill.org.uk/contactus

Please spread the word - if there are not enough volunteers, the museum can't open.

Temporary Closure — Sunday 14th June

We regret to announce that Wimbledon Windmill Museum will be closed to visitors on Sunday 14th June due to operational issues.

We sincerely apologise for any disruption to your plans. We look forward to opening our doors the following weekend.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

‘Tailored Swift Walk’ – date for your diaries…

Join the Wimbledon Swifts group for a guided evening Swift Walk on Wednesday 24th June – a fortnight today – in support of National Swift Awareness Week (27th June - 4th July).

A short informative talk on these iconic summer visitors will be followed by a walk to hopefully spot the elusive swifts in the sky and identify potential nesting sites.

In the event of rain, the walk will automatically be cancelled and re-scheduled as the walk relies on clear summer skies.

Meet at 7.30pm at the War Memorial, Wimbledon Common, SW19 5AZ. The walk is expected to finish around 9pm, near Merton Park tram station.

Places are limited, so do book now with Louise at [email protected] (Link in bio) to start your Swift ‘love story’.

On we are pausing to celebrate the Commons which provide a cherished open space in London and vital ecosystem.

Our unique habitats support a rich biodiversity and our urban nature improves health and air quality, helping to make the city cooler and greener.

Woodlands – absorb carbon, protect biodiversity, support native trees such as English oak and beech.

Peatlands are natural critical carbon sinks, with our peat bogs storing as much carbon as a tropical rainforest over a similar area, while supporting rare plant species such as the reintroduced bog bean.

Wetlands including ponds store rainwater, help mitigate flooding, provide vital watering holes and provide critical breeding grounds for amphibians and aquatic insects.

Heathlands – nationally important landscapes for wildlife conservation and a priority habitat in the London Basin Natural Area. They support many species of birds and wildlife.

Thank you for helping us to nurture nature and care for our own special environment!

The phantom fly-tipper strikes again...

Our team had to clear this fly-tip from the Commons this morning - mainly black bags full of rubble and large planter - which again costs the charity time and money. We are suffering, on average, 10 fly-tips a week! 

If anyone has any information relating to this tip just off the Causeway, please contact us at [email protected]. 

Thank you.

FILM UNIT IN WINDMILL CAR PARK THURSDAY 4 JUNE

With apologies for the short notice, there will be a film crew taking up most of the rear bay of the Windmill car park on Thursday 4 June so it may be busier than usual. Thank you for your understanding.

‘Unexpected water feature’ in Rushmere Pond, cleared this morning by our keepers.

We don’t need to point out that submerged e-bikes pose an environmental hazard and severe pollution risks. Their lithium-ion batteries and electronics can leak toxic chemicals into the water, potentially affecting water quality and endangering wildlife – not to mention damaging the bikes themselves.

They also present another issue that the charity has to spend time and money dealing with.

If you come across a dumped bike on the Commons, please either contact the Rangers Office ([email protected] or 020 8788 7655) or report it to fixmystreet.com.

Thank you!