Southampton Common is a large open space to the north of the city centre of Southampton, England. It is bounded by the districts of Shirley, Bassett, Highfield and Portswood. The area supports a large variety of wildlife, including the largest recorded population of the internationally rare great crested newt. It is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Southampton Common currently includes 326 acres (1.32 km2) of woodland, parkland, rough grassland, ponds, wetlands, nature trails, a paddling pool, a children's play area, a model yachting pond, a covered resevoir and a fishing lake.
The history of Southampton Common can be traced back to a dispute over land rights in the 13th century, which was resolved by the Borough purchasing the land and declaring it common land. It became a public park in 1844.
The designation as Common Land allowed neighbours to use the land for fuel, clay, and taking berries and other wild, natural food. The most important use was for grazing, however, and there was a cowherd who was paid to be responsible for the cattle on the common. He was given accommodation in an inn on the site of today's Cowherds pub.
During the Second World War, the city's trams were hidden in sidings on the Common to prevent them being destroyed during bombings that affected the Tram Terminus.