Plumstead Common was purchased for the people in 1877. Before that, the parish council had grazing rights and free access, even though the land was owned by Queens College, Oxford. From 1871 the college had allowed the Army access and it was largely turned into a military training ground. This led to a storm of protest and a procession to the Common took place. Their leader was temporarily imprisoned and further protest took place until an Act of Parliament authorised purchase of the Common by the Metropolitan Board of Works.
This area of daffodils is on the edge of the fenced-off area for the bowling green which is on the right.