Rush Common

Rush Common, along with Max Roach Park, forms a valuable green corridor running between Brixton to Streatham.

Rush Common is made up of a series of open green spaces which run along the eastern side of Brixton Hill (A23) between Streatham and Brixton. 

They were once part of a much larger area of open land, sometimes known as ‘Rushey Common’. As development gradually spread outwards from Central London the common was threatened with enclosure and eventual loss.

The remaining open sections of Rush Common were subsequently protected from development by the Rush Common Act 1806. This Act also covers land occupied by St. Matthew’s Church Gardens and Windrush Square, along with numerous sections of private land fronting onto Effra Road and Brixton Hill.

There are four main sections of Rush Common maintained as public open space. The northernmost section, next to Brixton Town Centre, is the Brixton Orchard, created by a partnership of We Are Brixton Village & Market Row, Brixton BID and Urban Growth London.

Next south is the Rush Common Woodland Walk, which forms a pleasant, tree-covered walk with a children’s playground, comfortable seating and wildlife-friendly tree and shrub planting, created with the help of residents on the adjacent St. Matthew’s Estate.

South of the Woodland Walk is ‘Pencil Park’, which was created and is managed by residents of Endymion Road. Furthest south is a large area of open land adjacent to the Roupell Park Estate, with areas of meadow grasslands and impressive mature trees.

The public sections of Rush Common are also part of a Local "Site of Importance for Nature Conservation" (or SINC) for the London Borough of Lambeth, in recognition of its importance not just for wildlife, but also for people living in both Lambeth and London to enjoy access to nature.

Rush Common is one of Lambeth's Green Flag Award-winning parks. This award recognises the achievements made to provide visitors to and residents of Lambeth with a clean, safe, welcoming and popular open space they can all be proud of.

Other useful information

Green Flag Award - Green Flag Award

Brixton Orchard - Brixton Orchard

We are Brixton Village & Market Row - We are Brixton Village & Market Row

Brixton Bid - Brixton Bid

Urban Growth London - Urban Growth London

Rush Common Woodland Walk - Rush Common Woodland Walk