Clapham Common
Clapham Common is one of London's largest open spaces situated between Clapham, Battersea and Balham.
It was historically 'common land' for the parishes of Battersea and Clapham and was first mentioned as far back as 1086 in the famous 'Domesday Book' as being part of the Manor of Clapham. In 1877 it was acquired from the Lords of the Manors by the Metropolitan Board of Works and was protected for present and future generations.
Clapham Common contains three ponds, all of which evolved from old gravel pits. Eagle Pond and Mount Pond are used for angling and have a variety of species including carp, roach, tench and bream, and also contain wildlife areas. The other pond on the common, Long Pond, is used for model boating.
The common has an all weather games area, tennis courts, bowling green and grass pitches, as well as two playgrounds areas dedicated to children and families. The common also has a historic bandstand, three cafes and ecological areas, including woodland and meadow grasslands, which are managed for wildlife as well as for the public to enjoy.
Around 108 acres of Clapham Common is within the London Borough of Wandsworth, but the common has been wholly managed and maintained by Lambeth Council since 1972.
Address: Windmill Drive, SW4 9DE
Tube: Clapham Common/Clapham South (Northern Line)
Bus: 4, 35, 37, 88, 137, 155, 255, 345, 355, 417, G1
Location map for Clapham Common.
Facilities
Clapham Common Bandstand
Clapham Common bandstand is the oldest and largest surviving bandstand in Greater London.
Clapham residents petitioned the London County Council for a bandstand in 1889, and the result was a copy of the two bandstands built in 1861 in the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens in South Kensington. It proved a great attraction for concerts held on Wednesday afternoons and Sundays. In 2003, Lambeth Council participated in a major fundraising and restoration project of the bandstand; following recent improvements to the apron of the bandstand, including installation of granite setts, it has now been restored to its former glory. The bandstand was formally rededicated and opened following these recent changes in October 2011.
Clapham Common - Tesco Section 106 funding
As a result of the redevelopment of the former South London Women's Hospital site next to Clapham Common South tube station in 2006, over £440,000 of funding is allocated to various environmental projects on or around Clapham Common through a 'Section 106 agreement'.
A number of these projects have already benefitted Clapham Common, such as refurbishment of tennis courts, and a cricket practice area and pitch. Lambeth Council is working in partnership with Clapham Common Management Advisory Committee (CCMAC) and other local stakeholders to deliver the following projects:
- New trees planted along Clapham Common Southside opposite Englewood Road.
- Repairs to the old deep bomb shelter on Clapham Common South Side, close to Nightingale Lane, are due to begin in July 2011; interpretative signage on the shelter's history is planned to be installed from September 2011.
- Demolition of the old toilet block next to the bomb shelter on Clapham Common South Side is due to begin in July 2011.
- A new pay-as-you-go 'Universal Superloo' (USL) will be installed during August 2011 to provide new toilet facilities for Clapham Common South.
- Directional signage for existing toilets on Clapham Common to be installed from September 2011.
- A tree strategy for Clapham Common, to direct the retention and management of its existing tree stock, and guide replacement and enhancement of trees for future generations.
- A feasibility study for the old changing rooms on Battersea Rise, to determine constraints and costs for redeveloping these facilities.
- The bund around Clapham Common Bandstand to be restored with granite setts.
- A new boardwalk installed along the south bank of Mount Pond to improve safety and access for fishing, recreation and learning.
- Redevelopment of the Clapham Common Skatepark is due to start in September 2011.
For more information on these projects contact Lambeth Parks on 0207 926 9000 or parks@lambeth.gov.uk
Clapham Common skatepark redevelopment
The London Marathon Trust have awarded Lambeth Council £75,000 to redevelop the skatepark at Clapham Common located alongside Rookery Road. This will ensure this popular skatepark serves the needs of its users, and ensures it meets current access, safety and crime reduction standards.
The Safer Lambeth Partnership' Tasking and Coordinating Group has recently made a generous contribution of £21,417 towards delivering the exciting project, for which the council and the skatepark users are extremely grateful.
The consultation period is now over. 'Freestyle' is the contractor that will undertake the redevelopment of the skatepark.
Clapham Common Skate Park redevelopment is expected to start in the week commencing 24 October 2011, and it is anticipated that the works will take 10 weeks to complete.
For more information please contact Joyce Guiste, Project Manager on jguiste@lambeth.gov.uk or phone on 020 7926 0548.
Clapham Common Ponds
We are working with the Environment Agency and Clapham Angling to manage and improve Eagle and Mount Ponds on the Common. This is to ensure their future as registered fisheries and enhance their value for people and wildlife.
Mount Pond restoration
Phase Two of the project to restore Mount Pond is now complete which resulted in the installation of additional fishing platforms, landscaping of the central island and pond banks, and reintroduction of a mixture of different species of coarse fish in January 2011.
Phase Three has concentrated on improving the banks of the pond by installing a new level boardwalk along Windmill Drive which significantly improves access and safety especially for disabled users and children. Work is due to finish in August 2011, although there will be some additional signage and bankside added later in the year.
The island and banks of Mount Pond are surrounded by fencing and netting to protect planted vegetation. These will be removed once the vegetation has established and the pond is fully open for fishing.
If you see small waterbirds like coots, moorhens or baby ducks moving about within these fenced areas don't worry. Small birds can easily slip in and out of the fencing and onto the floating islands in the pond, and don't cause damage or hurt themselves. It's the bigger birds like geese and adult ducks that the fencing keeps out until tender shoots and seedlings have time to establish.
If you see any damaged fencing let us know so it can be fixed to prevent large birds getting inside or trapped. Please report anybody seen damaging fencing or trying to get inside them or onto the island, and don't enter these areas yourself.
Temporary closure of Mount Pond for fishing
Mount Pond is not open for fishing at the moment until further notice because of low water levels due to exceptionally dry weather. We hope to open the pond again soon and we will update you when it is reopened.
Fishing season
Both Eagle and Mount Ponds are closed each year to fishing from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. This is designed to give fish 'breathing space' whilst they breed and allows us to undertake maintenance works. On Long Pond, the third pond on the Common, fishing is not permitted at any time of the year.
Please report any incidents either to an angling bailiff, who regularly patrol the ponds or contact Lambeth Council on 0207 926 9000 or email parks@lambeth.gov.uk.
Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975
It is illegal under section 30 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 to introduce fish into any water body without the prior consent of the Environment Agency or landowners. Offenders face severe penalties if they are caught and convicted.
If you are aware of anyone introducing fish to any of the ponds on Clapham Common, please report it immediately to the Environment Agency's Fisheries Enforcement Team on their incident hotline 0800 80 70 60, or contact Lambeth Council in complete confidence.
Friends of Clapham Common
The Friends of Clapham Common represent those who live around and use the Common, playing an important role in its management and development for present and future generations. The Friends organise regular meetings, events and activities within the Common and publish newsletters about Clapham Common and the local area.
To join or find out more about their work, go to the Friends of Clapham Common website or telephone 0207 649 5672.
Help us look after Clapham Common
Clapham Common is managed by Lambeth Parks and Greenspaces and comes within the Lambeth Central Parks Area, although it has its own dedicated parks manager. It also comes under the area patrolled by the Clapham Common and Clapham Town Safer Neighbourhoods Teams of Lambeth Borough Police, who work in partnership with Lambeth Council and local stakeholders to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.
Clapham Common welcomes responsible dog walkers, but there are certain dog-free areas, such as the playgrounds and ponds. This is for the comfort and safety of children and their carers, and also helps to protect local wildlife. Please keep dogs out of these particular locations, and of course always clean up after your dog elsewhere.
For more information on Clapham Common and how to help us keep it clean, green and safe please contact us on 0207 926 9000 or email us at parks@lambeth.gov.uk.
Further information