Kenley Common, owned and manged by the City of London at no cost
to the public, is a 56Ha (139acre) public open
space. Located in the London Borough of Croydon, it forms
part of a larger area of open countryside within the London Green
belt that links London with the wider countryside of Surrey.
Kenley Common lies in the North Downs Natural Area and it
is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (Metropolitan
grade) for its grassland habitats. With its mosaic of
chalk, neutral and acid grasslands as well as ancient woodland and
scrub, this site provides a fantastic home for wildlife, as
well a quiet place for people to enjoy.
Kenley Common surrounds Kenley Airfield owned by the MOD
and used by the RAF for glider training. The
Common holds seven World War II fighter pens, which
together are a Scheduled Monument, however it is the
completeness of the airfield, the history of which is closely
bound up with Kenley Common, that make this a site of national
historical significance.
Rangers, contractors and volunteers manage the site so that
local people and visitors from further away can enjoy the peace and
quiet of the countryside just a stone’s throw from
London.
The City Commons are managed to a high standard for the recreation
and enjoyment of the public. In recognition of this each site
proudly flies a Green Flag - an independently judged award
given annually to the best parks and green spaces in England and
Wales.
The City of London is participating in the
'Million Voices' campaign which aims to show public satisfaction
towards the country's parks and open spaces through the new
GreenSTAT online system. If you would like to comment
on Kenley Common and how well you feel it is being managed and
maintained,
complete a GreenSTAT questionnaire here.
The City of London manages over 10,000 acres of green space in
and around London for the recreation and enjoyment of the public.
Find out more about the other spaces