Description
Streatham Common is ancient commonland that was once part of the Manor of South Streatham, which stretched from Norwood to Tulse Hill. At one time known as Lime Common, it was owned by the church from 1362, at the Dissolution of the Monasteries passing to the Dean and Chapter, and in 1862 to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. It was managed from 1866 by a Committee of Management of local inhabitants. In 1883 it was taken over by the MBW and an Act of Parliament ensured its protection in perpetuity, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners selling c.26.5 hectares to the MBW for £5. Trees were planted around the perimeter and part of the common was mowed, part allowed to become woodland. Most of the lower part was used as allotments during WWII with temporary housing erected around the perimeter. A picturesque landscape sloping from north to south, the upper edges are covered with trees, bracken, copses and gorse.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Lime Common, Lower Streatham Common, Streatham Common |
|---|---|
| Site location | Streatham High Road/Streatham Common North/Streatham Common South/Covington Way |
| Postcode | SW16 5NR |
| What3Words | ///turned.cape.lakes |
| Type of Site | Public Open Land |
| Borough | Lambeth |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Children's play area, paddling pool, Rookery Café, sports facilities, toilets, car park |
| Events | Numerous events take place: Streatham Kite Festival, dog shows, arts exhibition, walks, Fireworks - see Friends and SCCoop websites for details |
| Public Transport | Rail: Streatham Common, Streatham. Bus: 50, 59, 60, 109, 118, 159, 249, 250, 333, 417 |
| Research Updated | 1 November 2023 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
The common was once part of the Manor of South Streatham, tenants having common rights to gather fuel and graze cattle here. In 1086 at the time of Domesday Survey it stretched from Norwood to Tulse Hill, and was known as Lime Common. It was in the ownership of the church from 1362 when the Black Prince gave it to the Prior and Convent of Christ Church Canterbury. At the Dissolution of the Monasteries it passed to the Dean and Chapter and in 1862 to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The village at Streatham had prospered, partly due to its position midway between the Archbishop of Canterbury's palaces at Croydon and Lambeth. People settled here, as at Clapham, after the Great Fire of 1666, and it became a place of resort following the discovery of medicinal springs in 1659. By the early C19th the heathland was replaced by hayfields, farms and small holdings supplying London markets, with a cattle pond in the south-west corner and a silk weaving industry nearby from the 1820s.
Streatham Common was not enclosed and a Committee of Management of local inhabitants was set up in 1866 to look after it, in 1883 passing to the Metropolitan Board of Works, when responsibility was transferred under the Metropolitan Commons Supplemental Act 1884. In 1884 the Ecclesiastical Commissioners sold c.26.7 hectares (66 acres) to the MBW for £5, reserving pasturage and mineral extraction rights. The MBW planted perimeter trees, laid paths and mowed the grass on the western side while the eastern side was allowed to become wooded. In 1896 responsibility was transferred to the newly formed LCC and the common was enlarged to 27.54 hectares (68 acres). Later road widening of the A23 led to loss of land and housing estate land was given to compensate for this.
During WWII the lower part of the common was used for allotments and temporary housing was erected around the perimeter. Responsibility for the common passed from the LCC to the GLC and then in 1971 to Lambeth Council. It is now the largest area of native woodland in the borough and is important for wildlife; the last red squirrel in the borough was recorded here in 1946. It has important viewpoints and the site of a Beacon. In 2013 50% of the Common was declared a Local Nature Reserve.
Streatham Common is now managed by a range of partners, including the Friends of Streatham Common and Streatham Common Co-operative (SCCoop), with the participation of local people and businesses. The Friends group was set up with the aims of preserving, protecting and improving Streatham Common and The Rookery (q.v.), a formal garden located adjacent to the common. SCCoop was established in 2015, a community-run social enterprise that began managing services from gardening to litter-picking in the Rookery as part of Lambeth's Co-operative Parks Programme. In 2016, SCCoop took over the Paddling Pool on Streatham Common saving it from closure, and in 2017 started regular conservation work in the Nature Reserve.
Streatham Common is a key site within London Wildlife Trust’s 'Great North Wood' project, which aims to help raise awareness of the original Great North Wood, as well as improving people’s access to and ownership of their local open spaces through new signage, volunteering and guided walks or talks.
Streatham Common was not enclosed and a Committee of Management of local inhabitants was set up in 1866 to look after it, in 1883 passing to the Metropolitan Board of Works, when responsibility was transferred under the Metropolitan Commons Supplemental Act 1884. In 1884 the Ecclesiastical Commissioners sold c.26.7 hectares (66 acres) to the MBW for £5, reserving pasturage and mineral extraction rights. The MBW planted perimeter trees, laid paths and mowed the grass on the western side while the eastern side was allowed to become wooded. In 1896 responsibility was transferred to the newly formed LCC and the common was enlarged to 27.54 hectares (68 acres). Later road widening of the A23 led to loss of land and housing estate land was given to compensate for this.
During WWII the lower part of the common was used for allotments and temporary housing was erected around the perimeter. Responsibility for the common passed from the LCC to the GLC and then in 1971 to Lambeth Council. It is now the largest area of native woodland in the borough and is important for wildlife; the last red squirrel in the borough was recorded here in 1946. It has important viewpoints and the site of a Beacon. In 2013 50% of the Common was declared a Local Nature Reserve.
Streatham Common is now managed by a range of partners, including the Friends of Streatham Common and Streatham Common Co-operative (SCCoop), with the participation of local people and businesses. The Friends group was set up with the aims of preserving, protecting and improving Streatham Common and The Rookery (q.v.), a formal garden located adjacent to the common. SCCoop was established in 2015, a community-run social enterprise that began managing services from gardening to litter-picking in the Rookery as part of Lambeth's Co-operative Parks Programme. In 2016, SCCoop took over the Paddling Pool on Streatham Common saving it from closure, and in 2017 started regular conservation work in the Nature Reserve.
Streatham Common is a key site within London Wildlife Trust’s 'Great North Wood' project, which aims to help raise awareness of the original Great North Wood, as well as improving people’s access to and ownership of their local open spaces through new signage, volunteering and guided walks or talks.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ305709 |
|---|---|
| Site Ownership | LB Lambeth |
| Site Management | Environment Directorate, Parks and Greenspaces Unit (Team Lambeth). Streatham Common Management Advisory Committee/Friends of Streatham Common |
| Dates | 1884 |
| Listed Structures | LBII: Trough with Drinking Fountain |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | Yes: Common (CL28) |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Lambeth |
| In Conservation Area | Yes |
| Conservation Area Name | Streatham Common |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | Yes - Borough Importance I |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | Yes |
| Special Policy Area | Yes - Archaeological Priority Area (Roman Road) along Streatham High Road |
| 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
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
The Rookery was a private house with fine gardens that was on the site of a spa in the C18th after mineral springs were discovered. The principal mineral well was situated near the centre of the present gardens, to the north of the formal pond. Following a successful campaign to save it for public open space, the property was presented to the LCC in 1912 and opened as public gardens in 1913. The house was demolished and an Old English Garden was created in the former kitchen garden, with rockeries, a wild garden and a white garden planted. The sloping grounds also had a woodland walk, grass terraces and 2 fine cedar trees, one of which survives.
The Rookery was a private house with fine gardens that was on the site of a spa in the C18th after mineral springs were discovered. The principal mineral well was situated near the centre of the present gardens, to the north of the formal pond. Following a successful campaign to save it for public open space, the property was presented to the LCC in 1912 and opened as public gardens in 1913. The house was demolished and an Old English Garden was created in the former kitchen garden, with rockeries, a wild garden and a white garden planted. The sloping grounds also had a woodland walk, grass terraces and 2 fine cedar trees, one of which survives.
The site was part of the Duke of Bedford's estate, and was occupied by 'The Chimes', which housed Belgian refugees during WWI, but which was later destroyed by bombing in WWII. Part of the Chimes estate was acquired by the local War Memorial Committee and Streatham Memorial Gardens were laid out in 1922. The garden now commemorates the dead of both world wars and is on two levels with the war memorial on the lowest level nearest the road, a bronze statue of a soldier sculpted by A.T. Loft in 1921. At the higher level are mature trees, rose beds, lawns and seats. Some land was lost due to A23 road widening and part of housing estate land was provided in compensation. A memorial to all civilians from or living in Streatham affected by all forms of war and conflict was erected in the garden in 2006.
* on The National Heritage List for England, Parks & Gardens
Tate Gardens Streatham is a remnant of a villa garden laid out from 1835 that was improved in the 1880s for Sir Henry Tate. In the C20th it was occupied by St Michael's Convent and in 2000 developed for private housing. Although some of the features are lost there are remnants of the C19th layout. This includes a small summerhouse and the long terrace with low stucco wall, flights of steps and sphinxes that overlooks the main lawn, below which is the small lake. In the grounds are an octagonal gothic castle, Pulhamite rockwork resembling a gorge and other artificial stonework. The remains of the original kitchen garden and a 1930s orchard are also evident. Mature trees include Wellingtonia and holm oak.
Tate Gardens Streatham is a remnant of a villa garden laid out from 1835 that was improved in the 1880s for Sir Henry Tate. In the C20th it was occupied by St Michael's Convent and in 2000 developed for private housing. Although some of the features are lost there are remnants of the C19th layout. This includes a small summerhouse and the long terrace with low stucco wall, flights of steps and sphinxes that overlooks the main lawn, below which is the small lake. In the grounds are an octagonal gothic castle, Pulhamite rockwork resembling a gorge and other artificial stonework. The remains of the original kitchen garden and a 1930s orchard are also evident. Mature trees include Wellingtonia and holm oak.