Golf course green and windmill, Wimbledon Common

Image: © Marathon Taken: 25 Jul 2012

Wimbledon Common is the largest area of wet heath in London and is mostly a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is particularly noted for its extensive areas of heather. It is easy to get lost, especially in the wooded areas and only the rides and paths then indicate where you are. There is an attractive group of buildings in the centre of Wimbledon Common and Putney heath, dominated by the famous windmill. This was built in 1817 but ceased to be used as such in 1860, when the lower floors were converted to form six cottages. It was altered again in 1893 on its reconstruction as a landmark. It is the only remaining example in England of a hollow-post flour mill. Today it serves as a museum about windmills and woodworking. In the Mill House Baden-Powell wrote part of Scouting for Boys in 1908. Next door to the mill is a cafe. Also based at the windmill is the London Scottish Golf Club. There are two golf clubs on Wimbledon Common - the London Scottish and to the south is the Wimbledon Common Golf Club based on Camp Road. The players of both clubs must wear red shirts when playing, and the two clubs play over the same holes on the central plateau from their opposite starting points. The two clubs have a prescriptive right to play on the Common as they were there before the 1871 Act which transferred the Common to an elected Board of Conservators.

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