Geograph - photograph every grid square

Plumstead Common was purchased for the people in 1877. Before that, the parish council had grazing rights and free access, even though the land was owned by Queens College, Oxford. From 1871 the College had allowed the Army access and it was largely turned into a military training ground. This led to a storm of protest and a procession to the Common took place. Their leader was temporarily imprisoned and further protest took place until an Act of Parliament authorised purchase of the Common by the Metropolitan Board of Works.

The eastern part of Plumstead Common is known as Winns Common and this part of the Common is characterised by steep roads leading down towards lower Plumstead and also steep slopes to the east and south. This is at the top of the steps leading up from King's Highway seen at Link