Common Ground
Curated by painter and folklorist Ben Edge, Common Ground invites visitors to explore stories of change, loss, rebellion, and reclamation in relation to common land and the natural environment, from Cheltenham and the Cotswolds.
Over centuries, access to common land has dramatically diminished. The Enclosure Acts of the 1750s mark the beginning of a disconnection from the natural world that surrounds us. At one time nearly half of the land in Britain was deemed Common Land, but today it accounts for only three per cent of England. As concerns over the climate emergency intensify, it has become critical to reconsider how we access, connect with, and care for the common land that surrounds our villages, towns, and cities.
Common Ground brings together objects from across The Wilson鈥檚 collections which share local histories and explore how changing values and beliefs, and developments in industry, technology and farming have affected the land. Woven into the narrative are those acts of defiance which have continually challenged laws around land use and access throughout history.
Recommended for you
Curated by painter and folklorist Ben Edge, Common Ground invites visitors to explore stories of change, loss, rebellion, and reclamation in relation to common land and the natural environment, from Cheltenham and the Cotswolds.
Over centuries, access to common land has dramatically diminished. The Enclosure Acts of the 1750s mark the beginning of a disconnection from the natural world that surrounds us. At one time nearly half of the land in Britain was deemed Common Land, but today it accounts for only three per cent of England. As concerns over the climate emergency intensify, it has become critical to reconsider how we access, connect with, and care for the common land that surrounds our villages, towns, and cities.
Common Ground brings together objects from across The Wilson鈥檚 collections which share local histories and explore how changing values and beliefs, and developments in industry, technology and farming have affected the land. Woven into the narrative are those acts of defiance which have continually challenged laws around land use and access throughout history.
Contact details
What's on nearby
