Charcoal burning
We have been making charcoal on Epsom Common since 2003 using a ring kiln. The project was started to give a local alternative to imported charcoal, which might not be sustainably sourced. Through funding from the E&EBC Community Infrastructure Levy, we were able to purchase a new charcoal retort in 2021. The retort method uses a small fire to heat a sealed chamber of timber, making it more efficient than the ring kiln as well as considerably reducing our emissions.
Charcoal making is part of a traditional approach to managing woodland on Epsom Common, which partly involves coppicing, clearing small trees around veteran oaks and removing any alien species such as Turkey Oak.
As part of E&EBC's long-term management programme for the Common, specific areas of scrub are cleared on a regular cycle to restore and maintain open habitat for a variety of plants, insects, birds and small mammals. By collecting and using the best of any felled hazel or oak for our charcoal, bonfires can kept to a minimum. The proceeds from selling charcoal are ploughed back into nature conservation projects on the Common.
Charcoal burns usually take place once a month from February to November on the first Sunday of the month - see our current programme. Our charcoal burns are reliant on good weather conditions, so may be cancelled at short notice. Lumpwood Charcoal for barbecues and Charcoal Fines for gardeners are sold through a number of local outlets, please see the home page for details.
