Broad Common (broad common) or Happy Land

Broad Common from Rocque's map of Berkshire, 1761
(click map of Broad Common in 1840)

Broad Common was the largest area of common land in the parish before being taken into cultivation in the early 19th century. It extended from Ashridge Wood in the south to Haines Hill in the north. On Rocque's map above, it is shown criss-crossed by a series of footpaths or small roads, many of which were lost when the land was enclosed

Broad Common from Hurst Parish Tithe map showing the enclosed land, 1840
(click for map of Broad Common in 1761)

References in main text:

      IX   Great Houses (2)
     XII   Commerce (1)
    XIII   New Farmland (2)