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, skate park and pitches, as well as two playgrounds areas for 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.
The role of the Tree Strategy is to develop a long term landscape vision for the planting and removal of trees on Clapham Common as well as define the approach to the sustainable management of the tree stock.
Please let us know what you think about the draft Tree Strategy.
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 projects have benefitted Clapham Common such as refurbishment of tennis courts, and a new cricket practice area and pitch. Lambeth Council, working in partnership with Clapham Common Management Advisory Committee (CCMAC) and other local stakeholders, is successfully completing the following additional 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, along with interpretative signage on the shelter's history.
- Demolition of the old toilet block next to the bomb shelter on Clapham Common South Side, to be replaced by a new pay-as-you-go 'Universal Superloo' (USL) on the same location.
- Directional signage to help guide people to available toilets on Clapham Common.
- A tree strategy for Clapham Common to direct the management of its 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 options for restoring and promoting use of these vital facilities.
- Restoration of the bund around the Clapham Common Bandstand with granite setts.
- A new boardwalk along the south bank of Mount Pond to improve safety and access.
For more information on these projects contact Lambeth Parks on 0207 926 9000 or parks@lambeth.gov.uk
Clapham Common Skatepark
The newly refurbished Clapham Common skatepark is now open for use.
The skatepark was completed thanks to a London Marathon Trust grant of £75,000 and the Safer Lambeth Partnerships' Tasking and Coordinating Group made a generous contribution of £21,417. In addition, the Council successfully negotiated £67,000 of Section 106 money towards the redevelopment located alongside Rookery Road.
This funding has also enabled us to carry out some works to the railings and add two new entrance gates in order to improve access around the skatepark. The skatepark was designed through extensive consultation to ensure it served the needs of its users, as well as meeting current access, safety and crime reduction standards.
The project has a dedicated Facebook page which encourages users feedback.
For more information please contact Toussainte Reba, Project Manager on treba@lambeth.gov.uk or phone on 020 7926 6268.
Clapham Common Ponds
We are working with the Environment Agency and anglers 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
Mount Pond has been fully restored with the installation of additional fishing platforms, landscaping of the central island and pond banks, reintroduction of coarse fish, and installation of a new boardwalk along Windmill Drive which has improved access and safety, especially for disabled users and children. These works will be complemented with new interpretative signage and a borehole which allows the pond to be topped up with water from beneath the ground, which will reduce the need to use mains water which isn't good for water quality but also saves us money.
The island and banks of Mount Pond are surrounded by fencing and netting to protect newly planted vegetation; these will be removed once the vegetation has established.
If you see small waterbirds like coots, moorhens or baby ducks moving about within these fenced areas don't worry. Small birds slip in and out of the fencing and floating islands in the pond, and don't cause damage or hurt themselves. It's bigger birds like geese and adult ducks that the fencing keeps out until shoots and seedlings fully 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.
Fishing season
Eagle and Mount Ponds are closed each year to fishing from 15 March to 15 June inclusive; you can fish them for the rest of the year from 16 June to 14 March. This is to give fish and birds some '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. We occasionally run one-off events on the ponds during the close season, but these are carefully managed to minimise any disturbance.
Please report any incidents of illegal fishing or misuse, either to angling bailiffs 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