Description
Tylers Common is the last substantial area of commonland remaining in Havering consisting of grassland, scrub and has two ponds; there are additional areas to the south along Tomkyns Land and Shepherd's Hill that are commonland, including an area of oak trees. Its name is derived from the brick and tile industry. which flourished here from Saxon times. The common was successfully defended from enclosure by local people in the 1950s. Common rights remain for sheep, cattle, horses, donkeys, goats and pigs.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Upminster Common |
|---|---|
| Site location | Nags Head Lane, Warley Road |
| Postcode | RM14 |
| What3Words | ///impose.pinch.being |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Havering |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | car park |
| Public Transport | Rail: Harold Wood then bus. Bus: 951, 952 (walk) |
| Research Updated | 1 February 2007 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Tylers Common is the last substantial area of commonland remaining in Havering consisting of grassland, scrub and has two ponds; there are additional areas to the south along Tomkyns Land and Shepherd's Hill that are commonland, including an area of oak trees. Its name, Tylers, derived from the brick and tile industry which flourished here from Saxon times. Tylers Common was successfully defended from enclosure by Edward Luther and other local people in the 1950s, when Essex County Council planned to enclose it for agricultural purposes. Adjoining the common is Tylers Wood to the east, managed by the Forestry Commission. Tylers Common is 'probably unique in having a byelaw concerned with the breaking in of horses' according to the LB Havering Recreation and Amenities Brochure, 1970, at which time there was an area marked out for flying model aircraft. Common rights remain for sheep, cattle, horses, donkeys, goats and pigs. In addition to the main area of the common, there are a number of remnants of registered common land on road verges.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ566905 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 29.3 |
| Site Ownership | LB Havering (part) Essex County Council (part). Part under Land Registration Acts of 1925 & 1936 |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | Yes: Common (CL1, CL72, CL97, 128, 129) |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Havering |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Tree Preservation Order | Not known |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Borough Importance I |
| Green Belt | Yes |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Thames Chase Community Forest |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Harold Wood was once part of the royal hunting ground, with a small hamlet on the edge of the forest. Housing development in the area began after the Great Eastern Railway opened a small halt here in 1868. Land was initially donated to Hornchurch UDC in 1934 for use as Harold Wood Cricket Ground, which had existed since 1896. It later formed part of Harold Wood Park. The park was gradually provided with recreational facilities including football, lacrosse, cricket and tennis, a paddling pool and putting green. The park was 'well-provided with trees'; the River Ingrebourne runs north / south through the park, with a small bridge connecting the west side, where the majority of sports facilities are, to the east side and its 18-hole miniature golf course and pond.
Duck Wood is ancient woodland once part of the extensive Forest of Waltham that covered much of Essex. Largely cleared by the C16th for agricultural use, pockets of woodland remain. Like other areas of woodland, Duck Wood retains its ancient name, which may refer to its many ponds or perhaps was a corruption of the word 'Duke'. Woodland paths run through the site, which has been managed as a community nature reserve since 1986.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Upminster Court was built in 1904, prior to which the land was within the Upminster Hall Estate. It was let by the Estate Trustees to Arthur Williams, who commissioned Charles Reilly to design his new house. The gardens continue the Anglo-French theme of the house with organised English-style garden 'rooms' overlaid with a more formal French discipline of paths and vistas. Other features in the grounds included a walled Italian garden, bowling and croquet lawns, and kitchen garden. The Williams family lived here until the late 1920s after which the house was used for offices, later a refugee centre, and in 1946 was purchased with 22 acres by Essex County Council. In 1965 ownership transferred to LB Havering and it opened in 1972 as a respite centre with a borough nursery in the gardens. From 1993-2005 the house was used as the council's Staff Training and Development Centre. In 2007 it was purchased by Uniserve Group.
Upminster Court was built in 1904, prior to which the land was within the Upminster Hall Estate. It was let by the Estate Trustees to Arthur Williams, who commissioned Charles Reilly to design his new house. The gardens continue the Anglo-French theme of the house with organised English-style garden 'rooms' overlaid with a more formal French discipline of paths and vistas. Other features in the grounds included a walled Italian garden, bowling and croquet lawns, and kitchen garden. The Williams family lived here until the late 1920s after which the house was used for offices, later a refugee centre, and in 1946 was purchased with 22 acres by Essex County Council. In 1965 ownership transferred to LB Havering and it opened in 1972 as a respite centre with a borough nursery in the gardens. From 1993-2005 the house was used as the council's Staff Training and Development Centre. In 2007 it was purchased by Uniserve Group.