Winn's Common
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This large expanse of heathland and flat grassland lies to the east of Plumstead Common in Plumstead, Greenwich, London. Winn's Common is also known as Winn Common.
In addition to providing plenty of space for dog walkers, Winn's Common offers plenty of spaces where both young children and 'big kids' can play, including sports grounds, and a small fenced-off paddling pool which was originally called Cage Lane Pond in the 1890's.
Winn Common is said to have been settled by ancient Britons. Several Bronze Age burial mounds were found in the area, as well as Roman relics. One mound remains on Winn Common, the Winn Common Tumulus. This burial mound is on the eastern part of Plumstead Common, known as Winn’s Common, near Bleak Hill Lane. The mound is about 20 metres in diameter and very worn down. It is thought that it may have been part of a cluster of seven tumuli similar to the cluster known to have existed on Shooters Hill. The Winn’s Common tumulus has been opened some time in the past but there is no record of what was found or who was involved. It was damaged by the army which used it for training and possible target practice. The dimensions and shape of the two survivors suggest that they may be Bronze Age burial mounds.
The barrow on Winns Common and the one at the junction of Plum Lane and Brinklow Crescent on Shooters Hill are the only survivors. Five were destroyed in the 1930's when the Laing Estate was built on Shooters Hill. One that stood in Shrewsbury Park survived the destruction by Laing but has subsequently vanished.
During World War II a line of barrage balloons were sited on Winn Common to deter enemy aircraft from attacking the Woolwich Arsenal.
Across Kings Highway there is a memorial to George Webb, the headmaster of Burrage Grove Boys School in 1896. Originally a drinking fountain, it has been filled in and it's fittings removed.
