The history of the Common Pit dates back to before the enclosure of the marshes in 1788. It was used for watering livestock travelling into Norfolk across the estuary at Sutton Wash, between the counties of Lincolnshire and Norfolk.

Since that time the water has been used to fill traction engines,water carts,as a sheep wash, by circus elephants, washing fruit barrels and for ice skating.

The society restructured the front of the pond in 1992 and regularly maintains it with the help of volunteers.