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.
Eagle Pond and Mount Pond are mainly used for angling, and have a variety of species including Carp, Roach, Tench and Bream. In 2002 Eagle Pond was completely drained, landscaped and replanted to provide a better environment for fishing and wildlife. The other pond on the common, Long Pond, is traditionally used for model boating.
The common has an all weather games area, tennis courts, bowling green and grass pitches, as well as two playgrounds, a One O'Clock Club and 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
- Bandstand
- Children's play areas (X2) (dog free)
- One O'clock club
- Paddling pool
- Café (X3)
- Fishing
- Flower gardens
- Sports facilities:
- All Weather Pitch - Redgra type surface
- Australian rules football
- Basketball court
- Bowling green
- Cricket nets
- Cricket wicket pitch
- Football grass pitch
- Rounders
- Rugby
- Rugby Netball
- Softball
- Tennis courts - these charges are payable at all atimes:
Adults £5/hr; Under 16s £2/hr.
- Ultimate (frisbee)
All chargeable/booking required
Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) manages sports bookings in our parks. Please call them on 0845 130 8998 to make a booking.
- Toilets
- Ponds (X3)
- Friends of Clapham Common website
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 and it has now been restored to its former glory.
New developments in Clapham Common
Lambeth Council is working in partnership with the Environment Agency and Clapham Angling Preservation Society (CAPS) to improve Mount Pond, not only to guarantee its long term future as a fishing resource but also to enhance its ecological value and public accessibility. This project follows on from the successful restoration of Eagle Pond in 2002, which also received funding from the Environment Agency and completely transformed the pond, making it a more attractive place for people, fish and wildlife alike.
Works are ongoing to improve the small areas of woodland on Clapham Common, particularly Battersea and Nursery Woods. This involves thinning out existing trees, removal of scrub, creating clearings and improving pathways; this work will help create new wildlife habitat as well as improving public safety and views in and across to the rest of the common. A management plan is in place to guide these works, which will further enhance the ecological value of the whole common. Clapham Common is already a Borough Site of Importance for Nature Conservation for both Lambeth and Wandsworth.
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
Lambeth Parks and Greenspaces manages Clapham Common and it is patrolled by the Lambeth Park Rangers. The common comes under the area patrolled by the Clapham Common and Clapham Town Safer Neighbourhoods Teams of Lambeth Borough Police, who work in close partnership with Lambeth Council, Lambeth Park Rangers and the Friends of Clapham Common to ensure a safe environment.
Clapham Common welcomes responsible dog walkers, but there are certain specified 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.
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