'Common' Knowledge

Hedleyhope Fell is part of the wider Hedleyhope Fell and Cornsay Common. Commons pre-date parliament, or even the monarchy, and are a legacy from the times when land was mainly 'wild' and ownerless. The manorial system appointed owners but the peasantry kept their customary rights.

Common land is subject to 'rights of common', for example; the right to graze sheep and cattle. These rights belong to commoners, not to everyone. Hedleyhope Fell has several local people registered with rights to graze sheep, cattle and goats.

Common land is an important nature conservation asset. Almost all of the commons in England and Wales have a high nature conservation value.