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The Open Spaces Society

The Open Spaces Society (formally The Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society) works to create, conserve and enhance common land, village greens, open spaces and rights of public access, in town and country, in England and Wales.

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Activities & Mission

The Open Spaces Society (formally The Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society) works to create, conserve and enhance common land, village greens, open spaces and rights of public access, in town and country, in England and Wales.

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Financial Information

Latest Income
£357,643
Latest Expenditure
£564,385

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 43.9%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 24% of UK Facilities charities with income £100K to £1M (sample: 421). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 98.8%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 51% of UK Facilities charities with income £100K to £1M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 4.1%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 40% of UK Facilities charities with income £100K to £1M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £819,924
Charitable Activities £79,596
Other Trading £9,619
Investments £59,444
Other Income £300

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £425,628
Raising Funds £5,001
Governance £12,470
Grants to Institutions £0
Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2024.

One or more years show a significant change in income (over ±100%) compared with the prior year. This usually reflects a merger, transfer of activities, restated accounts, or a one-off legacy — not necessarily a real change in operating scale. See the methodology for context.

The Commission record shows these related events on the register:

  • Asset transfer in in 2023 — Dennis Curry Charitable Trust (organisation 263952)
  • Asset transfer in in 2017 — The Society for the Protection of Markham and Little Francis (organisation 4041419)
  • Asset transfer in in 2014 — Herbert Lucas Bradbury Bequest (organisation 8608)
Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2024
£357,643
£564,3850 / 44
2023
£267,138
£457,1820 / 42
2022
£968,883
£430,629£425,628£2,324,661£2,045,3185 / 41
2021
£437,746
£434,6180 / 42
2020
£368,174
£464,6940 / 37

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The Open Spaces Society

What does The Open Spaces Society do?

The Open Spaces Society (formally The Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society) works to create, conserve and enhance common land, village greens, open spaces and rights of public access, in town and country, in England and Wales.

How much income did The Open Spaces Society report in 2024?

The Open Spaces Society reported total income of £358k and reported expenditure of £564k for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is The Open Spaces Society?

The Open Spaces Society has a program ratio of 43.9%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 24% of UK Facilities charities with income £100K to £1M (sample of 421 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was The Open Spaces Society registered as a charity?

The Open Spaces Society was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 29 November 2011 as charity number 1144840. It has been registered for 15 years.

Who runs The Open Spaces Society?

The Open Spaces Society is governed by a board of 7 trustees. The chair of trustees is Dr Philip David Wadey. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The Open Spaces Society operate?

The Open Spaces Society operates in England And Wales, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.

Is The Open Spaces Society a registered charity?

Yes — The Open Spaces Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1144840.

Details

Address
Open Spaces Society
25a Bell Street
Henley-on-Thames
RG9 2BA
Registration Date
29 November 2011
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
5023857
Charity Number
1144840

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Trustees

Dr Philip David Wadey Chair
CHRISTOPHER BENEY
James Lean
John Hall
Tara-Jane Sutcliffe

Sectors & Classifications

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
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