Hidden History of the Common

Preview Steps

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  Step 1: Start at the main entrance to the Common at the junction of Cemetery Road and The Avenue. Walk up the path.

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  Step 2: Before long you will come to The Hawthorns on left. There's a cafe and wild life garden.

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  Step 3: The Hawthorns site was in the 18th century the town brickmaker's house. In I945 it became a garden nursery & in 1961 Chipperfield's zoo.

• Step 4: The dipped green area to your right opposite the Hawthorns was the first reservoir to be built on the Common to service the City's growing population c. 1804. It was filled in 1871.

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  Step 5: Turn right opposite the Hawthorns entrance along this path.

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  Step 6: Turn right at the top of the slope and follow the play area fence to The Cowherds pub.

Download the app to get all the steps for this walk.