Shorne Common, formerly known as School Common, is an attractive triangular area of land of around 2 acres, located at the top (southern) end of Mill Hill Lane. For fit pedestrians, it is also accessible from the top of Butchers Hill. At one time it was a gravel quarry, hence the grassed area is flat, whilst the wooded area on the western side rises above the common. It is not generally known, but the Common extends to both sides of Mill Hill Lane. Footpath NS316 crosses the Common, before leading downhill to meet NS164 near Crown Lane.
The land was transferred by a Deed of Gift from the Earl of Darnley to Shorne Parish Council in 1908, “for the purpose of recreation or improvement of the inhabitants freely resorting thereto” provided always that “the Earl of Darnley shall have free access and right of way to cross the ground with or without cart horses or carriages from any position of his adjoining land on the west side”. Since he no longer owns the land on the west side, we can safely assume that we are safe from horses, carts, or carriages.
In 1953, Shorne Parish Council leased part of the Common to Shorne Scouts to enable them to establish their headquarters, for a rent of one shilling a year. The scout hut, which is still in use on the site today, was originally a site office at Grain Oil Refinery.
From 1872 until it was demolished in 1974, Shorne Primary School was located next to the Common. The site of the school is now occupied by two houses, Briar Cottage and Dorneywood.
Shorne Common is an attractive area, popular with walkers and parents with small children. In 2021, the Parish Council installed a selection of children’s play equipment, partly financed by grants and generous donations from local residents. There are a number of park benches to rest on, and just off the green in the trees on the western side, there is the site of a spigot mortar, dating back to the Second World War.
There is a small parking area adjacent to the Common, which is locked during hours of darkness.