Common Land
Common Land is mostly privately owned land, that has rights of common over it, and as such, current laws apply to common land in the same way as to any private land. Common Land is generally open, unfenced and remote - particularly in the upland areas of England and Wales. However, there are some lowland areas of common, particularly in the southeast of England, that are important for recreational uses.

The terms 'commoners' rights or 'common' refer to the rights held in common by certain people to use the land. These rights have historically belonged to specific individuals - 'the commoners' - not the general public, and they are usually restricted to the occupiers of certain properties, or those living within a specified area.

Currently, the general public only has right of access to common land if it is an urban common, or is crossed by public rights of way.

Common Land and rights are a very ancient institution - even older than parliament itself. They are part of the fabric of life in England and Wales and have their origins in the manorial system. Common Land is protected under several Acts of Parliament.

What is a Village Green?
Village greens share a similar history to common land. However, they are defined separately for the purposes of the Commons Registration Act 1965. Village greens are usually areas of land within defined settlements or geographical areas, which local inhabitants can go onto for the exercise of lawful sports and pastimes. Typically, these might include organised or ad-hoc games, picnics, fetes, and other similar activities. Whilst land forming town or village greens may be privately owned, many greens are owned and maintained by local Parish or Community Councils. Some greens may also have rights of common (i.e. grazing of livestock) over them.

Village greens are protected under two Nineteenth century Acts: Inclosure Act 1857 (section 12) and the Commons Act, 1876 (Section 29).

Little has changed with regard to the roads of the parish since the 18th century. Lyneham Green was the junction of all roads as it is today. The Calne - Lyneham road followed its present course from 1736, being known as Even Lane at that time, and ran through the village.

From 1773 the Swindon – Chippenham road entered from Dauntsey to the east of Bradenstoke Priory and then became the main street of Bradenstoke. During the Middle Ages this road was probably very important as it served the priory and Clack Spring and Fall fairs. After Bradenstoke the road ran north eastwards towards Tockenham.

In 1887 a bypass was built to the north of Bradenstoke and after that the road at the heart of Bradenstoke declined in importance. By 1968 the Swindon – Chippenham road was the only main road in this parish.

The arrival of the airbase led to the disappearance of two roads in the parish. One led to Lyneham Court Farm and on to Stockham Marsh in Bremhill, whilst the other travelled from Lyneham Court towards Freegrove. The eastern boundary of this parish ran down the west side of a road called Trow Lane in 1968. A small lane turns off this road westwards to Church End, where an early 19th century toll house once stood and survived until around 1960.

Lyneham Parish Council was celebrating after securing the future of Lyneham Village Green. The Green, which was formerly owned, was due to be auctioned. Desperate to see The Green maintained and used as a public open space, the parish council applied for funding through the government Community First scheme to buy the site privately owned. Waste management company Viridor helped towards the £11,500 purchase price and the sale was completed on the 22nd September 2006. Parish Councillors and villagers gathered on the site to mark the occasion. The Green was owned by the Heneage family who have moved to Somerset.