Clapham Common — Attraction in London

I like Clapham Common. It's pretty in places, tree lined with two nice duck ponds and a bandstand which occaisonally hosts a few musicians. There's a cafe bang in the middle of the park which is frustratingly a bit rubbish, given it's potential. It could easily be a mix of somewhere between the uber-kid friendly like Bertie & Boo's and a cafe with an outdoor area like the Fairytale cafe in Richmond, but instead just doesn't seem too bothered about the food, drink or the aesthetic. Ah well. This review is about the park isn't it.

The common is bi-sected by roads which makes it a place to be a bit more wary of if you're letting your dogs off the lead or allowing you children to roam free. There's plenty of cafes on the perimeter, particulary towards Clapham Old Town and Clapham Common station, but only one toilet block (near the basketball courts to the north end).

As with all parks in London, prepare to share your immediate personal space with 1,500 other people at the slightest hint of sunshine, and brace yourself for the inevitable knock your faith in humanity takes when you notice all the rubbish they've left behind. They put in big, temporary green bins during the summer but honestly, why not just install some large permanent ones for a bit of a year-round solution?

The common has a number of big festivals every year and although every attempt is made to preserve the grass, it's often a mud bath for several months following.

That said, as a former resident of Clapham, it's where I walked my dog for the first time and the nearest green space to my door step that allowed me to have a nice walk in the evening. I'll always have a bit of fondness for it. I just wish that cafe was a bit...

Water Lantern Festival at Clapham Common A Beautiful and Heartfelt Experience I recently attended the Water Lantern Festival at Clapham Common, and it turned out to be one of the most peaceful and uplifting events I’ve ever been to. The setting itself was perfect Clapham Common is such a lovely, spacious park, with plenty of open green areas and clean surroundings. I was pleasantly surprised by how well the organisers kept the park tidy throughout the event; bins were placed everywhere, and volunteers made sure the area stayed spotless even with the large crowd.The festival had a very warm and inclusive atmosphere. There was a beautifully arranged stage area, where anyone could go up and share their thoughts about the festival, what brought them there, or simply express gratitude and positivity. Listening to people speak from the heart added a special personal touch and made the whole evening feel more meaningful.As the sun began to set and everyone released their lanterns into the water, the scene became truly magical hundreds of glowing lights floating peacefully, creating a moment of calm reflection and unity. It was an event filled with beauty, hope, and community spirit. I would highly recommend attending the next one at...

I moved to London in the summer of 2007, and was looking at areas to live in. I read up online and zeroed down on a few areas where I would like to do rental viewings. I booked one viewing close to Clapham South. When I came to this area, I walked around to get the general feel of the place. The greenery of the Common was a big factor in helping me make my decision. I loved the open green space so much that I ditched all other potential areas and looked for places only in Clapham. 7 years on, I am still here and love the area to bits. The most important factor being the Common. The park is lovely. It is not huge enough to be a forest, nor is it small enough to be ignored. It is well kept, and the two ponds in it are absolutely adorable. In fact, people tent up for fishing in one of them! It plays host to the famous SW4 festival (which I must admit I have never visited) and a lot of other events (such as being the starting point of the London to Brighton bicycle race). I might be partial in saying this, but will say it nonetheless. This is my favourite park in...