Brill Common & The walks

If Brill Windmill is the jewel in Brill’s crown, then Brill Common is the crown itself! Many villages have commons, of course, but few have one of such variety; open grassland, hawthorn copses and shady dingles, impenetrable woodland, meandering footpaths and hidden ponds. Managing the common in a way that meets the needs of wildlife and the environment - and residents and visitors - is one of the parish council’s greatest and most enduring challenges.

Brill Common is unique in its spider-like form. Although most of the 74 acres is concentrated around the village, there are strips of common land along all the access roads, plus two other long legs; one reaching almost to Oakley, the other stopping just short of Boarstall Wood. The Square (actually a sort of elongated triangle) in the centre of Brill is also common land.

We are very fortunate to have an army of committed volunteers who work with enthusiasm and skill to protect and conserve the Common on its behalf. Friends of Brill Common, Common Volunteers, and Brill Village Community Herd: we could not fulfil our obligations to Brill Common without your enduring support. Please see the Clubs, Groups and Charities pages for contact details of each group; new volunteers and supporters are always welcome.

The work of these groups is now coordinated by the Brill Common & Village Greens Advisory Group. This group was set up in the wake of 2022’s report on the management of Brill Common, produced by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) Land Advice Service. The Group meets quarterly; read meeting reports or email Cllr Emi Slater to find out more.

Brill Common is made up largely of ‘unimproved grassland’; permanent grassland that has not been cultivated or received artificial fertiliser for many years. This is the single most threatened type of grassland habitat in the UK. To find out more about the herd of Dexter cattle which helps maintain the rare habitat and incredible bio-diversity of Brill Common, visit the Brill Village Community Herd website. The BVCH website includes a fascinating account of common management through the years (The Story So Far). It also hints at the passions incited by Brill Common! Heated debates on the minutiae of management and the future of the common remain a feature of village life and the subject is rarely off the Parish Council’s agenda.

Regardless of the politics, the whole community of Brill was thrilled when the Community Herd was awarded The KIng’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) in 2023. Equivalent to an MBE, the KAVS is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK. It recognises volunteers who contribute to their local communities and work to make life better for those around them. Read the full press release on the BVCH website and coverage in The Oxford Mail and The Bucks Herald.

Living adjacent to common land brings many pleasures - and some restrictions. These restrictions are designed to maintain this landscape in optimal condition for the benefit of all, now and in the future. Please see the parish council’s Common and Walks Policy and new Encroachment Policy for further information, and find out how to apply for permission to carry out work or hold events on common land.

This Legal Topic Note from the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) sets out the general legal principles pertaining to the protection of common land. Please note that this is a general document; it is not specific to Brill Common. This section on the Open Spaces Society’s website is also very helpful.