Inventory Site Record

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.

Site location:

Clapham Common Northside/Clapham Common Westside/The Avenue

Postcode:

SW4/SW12

What 3 Words:

parent.script.clever

Type of site:

Public Open Land

Borough:

Wandsworth

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted

Special conditions:

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

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Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/07/2005

Last minor changes:

14/07/2022

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.claphamcommon.org; www.lambeth.gov.uk; www.wandsworth.gov.uk

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.

Sources consulted:

Joyce Bellamy 'Clapham Common: an insight into Metropolitan Commons' notes; Marie Draper 'Lambeth's Open Spaces, An historical account', LB Lambeth 1979; John Beasley, 'Southwark Remembered', Tempus Publishing, 2001; History of Clapham Common; Pevsner; Ian Yarham, Michael Waite, Andrew Simpson, Niall Machin, 'Nature Conservation in Lambeth', Ecology Handbook 26 (London Ecology Unit), 1994 [Clapham Society have undertaken research]; The Parks Agency 'Commons, Heaths and Greens in Greater London. A short report for English Heritage', 2005

Grid ref:

TQ285750 (528665,174852)

Size in hectares:

86.5 (43.54 in LB Wandsworth)

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)

Date(s):

1877

Designer(s):

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 Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

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

Clapham Common - Bandstand - Photo: Colin Wing
Date taken: 04/09/18 13:37

Click a photo to enlarge.

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