Description
Clapham Common is partly in Lambeth, partly in Wandsworth and was formerly two commons belonging to the neighbouring parishes. Its importance for recreation was early acknowledged and it was subject to landscape improvement from 1722 onwards. In 1836 a management committee secured a lease from the two lords of the manor. Following the Metropolitan Commons Act of 1866 the MBW assumed responsibility for a number of commons including Clapham, which it purchased in 1877, and introduced a programme of improvements and facilities. In 1890 a reproduction of the bandstand in the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens at Kensington was erected here.
Practical Information
| Site location | Clapham Common Northside/Clapham Common Westside/The Avenue |
|---|---|
| Postcode | SW4/SW12 |
| What3Words | ///parent.script.clever |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Wandsworth |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Children's play areas, One O'Clock Club, paddling pool, cafés, dog free area, sports facilities, toilets, fishing |
| Events | Various events, including fireworks, fun fairs |
| Public Transport | Tube: Clapham Common, Clapham South (Northern). Bus: 35, 37, 55, 255, 355, G1 |
| Research Updated | 1 July 2005 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
From the early C18th Clapham Common was subject to landscape improvements, with ornamental planting funded by subscriptions from local residents from 1722 onwards. In 1836 a management committee secured a lease until 1871 from the two lords of the manor. Its use for recreation increased particularly after the conversion of Kennington Common into Kennington Park (q.v.) in 1852. However, there were problems of crime and assault and only one keeper was employed to look after the whole common. After the passing of the Metropolitan Commons Act of 1866, the Metropolitan Board of Works assumed responsibility for a number of commons including that at Clapham, which it purchased in 1877 under the Metropolitan Commons Supplemental Act 1877.
Under the Act the MBW had powers to improve the landscape and its importance for recreational use was early acknowledged. The MBW introduced a programme of improvements to the public amenities including draining, levelling and planting. Committee Minutes in December 1877 refer to resolutions to provide various other facilities including a portion for horse riding to be defined 'by trees and short lengths of fencing' with ditches filled in and other works at an estimated cost of £400; and a stand for animals to be formed near the Rookery. Bathing in the ponds between 8pm and 7am was prohibited at that time except in Mount Pond; and permission was given for the erection of tents 'for the purposes of shelter or refreshment' by those playing using the common for 'lawful games' such as cricket, football, and golf. Formal paths were laid out and the ponds were allocated to different uses, and some of them have subsequently been filled in. In 1890 a reproduction of the bandstand in the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens at Kensington was erected on the common. This had been designed by Francis Fowke for the RHS in 186l, and the two original Fowke bandstands from the RHS Gardens were erected in Southwark Park (q.v.) and Peckham Rye Common (q.v.).
Responsibility for Clapham Common passed to the LCC, then the GLC and later to LB Lambeth. Since 1948 play areas have been introduced as well as new facilities such as the One O'Clock Club and the pavilion by the Long Pond. The Common has become a venue for a number of major events each year, with an enclosure north-east of the bandstand erected for the purpose. Today it is a mainly flat landscape with grass, trees and ponds; the bandstand and its setting have been restored with an HLF grant. Other designed elements include Mount Pond which survives from the C18th, a riding avenue of 1877, various ponds originally derived from former gravel pits and later used as cattle and cart ponds.
Under the Act the MBW had powers to improve the landscape and its importance for recreational use was early acknowledged. The MBW introduced a programme of improvements to the public amenities including draining, levelling and planting. Committee Minutes in December 1877 refer to resolutions to provide various other facilities including a portion for horse riding to be defined 'by trees and short lengths of fencing' with ditches filled in and other works at an estimated cost of £400; and a stand for animals to be formed near the Rookery. Bathing in the ponds between 8pm and 7am was prohibited at that time except in Mount Pond; and permission was given for the erection of tents 'for the purposes of shelter or refreshment' by those playing using the common for 'lawful games' such as cricket, football, and golf. Formal paths were laid out and the ponds were allocated to different uses, and some of them have subsequently been filled in. In 1890 a reproduction of the bandstand in the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens at Kensington was erected on the common. This had been designed by Francis Fowke for the RHS in 186l, and the two original Fowke bandstands from the RHS Gardens were erected in Southwark Park (q.v.) and Peckham Rye Common (q.v.).
Responsibility for Clapham Common passed to the LCC, then the GLC and later to LB Lambeth. Since 1948 play areas have been introduced as well as new facilities such as the One O'Clock Club and the pavilion by the Long Pond. The Common has become a venue for a number of major events each year, with an enclosure north-east of the bandstand erected for the purpose. Today it is a mainly flat landscape with grass, trees and ponds; the bandstand and its setting have been restored with an HLF grant. Other designed elements include Mount Pond which survives from the C18th, a riding avenue of 1877, various ponds originally derived from former gravel pits and later used as cattle and cart ponds.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ285750 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Lambeth & LB Wandsworth (part under Land Registration Acts 1925 & 1936) |
| Site Management | LB Lambeth, Environment Directorate, Parks and Greenspaces Unit (Team Lambeth) |
| Dates | 1877 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: 13 boundary markers; 9 Battersea parish markers; railings between Windmill Drive and Mount Pond; Bandstand. Various properties overlooking the Common on Clapham Common Northside are listed: Byron House, Maitland House, Springwell House and coach house; Rochester Deaconess's Chapel; Gilmore House; and Clapham Common Westside: Nos. 21, 81, 82 (Frankfurt House), 83, 84 (Western Lodge) |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | Yes: Common (CL12 & CL73) |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Wandsworth |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Clapham Common |
| Tree Preservation Order | Yes - on boundaries |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Borough Importance II |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | Yes |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Common |
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
Clapham Common is partly in Lambeth, partly in Wandsworth and was formerly two commons belonging to the neighbouring manors. Its importance for recreation was early acknowledged and it was subject to landscape improvement from 1722 onwards. In 1836 a management committee secured a lease from the two lords of the manor. Following the Metropolitan Commons Act of 1866 the MBW assumed responsibility for a number of commons including Clapham, which it purchased in 1877, and introduced a programme of improvements and facilities. In 1890 a reproduction of the bandstand in the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens at Kensington was erected on Clapham Common, which was restored and formally reopened in October 2011.
Royal Trinity Hospice is comprised of four separate houses, which have been linked together. In the mid-C17th a mansion, Clapham Place, stood nearby in extensive grounds that included some formal gardens. When this house was demolished in the mid-C18th two large houses with gardens were built on part of the site. In the 1890s one of these became a home for the terminally ill, and adjoining houses and their gardens were added over the years. In the 1980s following major works to update the hospice, the neglected garden was redesigned by John Medhurst along the principles of eminent landscape designer of Lanning Roper. In 2009 the garden was again re-designed to integrate it with a newly-built, partly sunken wing. In 2015 the hospice was granted the name Royal Trinity Hospice in recognition of the strong connections with the Royal Family.
Crescent Grove is a private estate laid out by Francis Child in 1824 on what was previously fields adjacent to Clapham Common. It is a good example of early C19th suburban development and provided housing of different types and sizes. Child built a large detached house with an extensive garden at the end of the estate for his own use. This was called Grove Lodge but was demolished in 1936. The central garden is an open lozenge between the fine houses, but there is evidence that it was once railed above the low stone edging. Landscaping now consists of lawn with three flowerbeds, numerous trees and ornamental shrubs, and three benches, one installed in memory of Robert and Betty Bates, residents here from the late 1940s-2003, both committed to the conservation and improvement of Crescent Grove.