Clapham Common is the sprawling 220-acre green heart of south-west London, a flat, open triangle of grass, ponds and tree-lined paths that has been common land for centuries. Hugely popular with the area's young crowd, it buzzes on warm weekends with picnics, sport and open-air events.
Why visit
It is south London life at its most relaxed and sociable, a big, easygoing green space ringed by the bars, cafes and restaurants of Clapham. Less manicured than the royal parks, it has a friendly, local feel.
What to see and do
The common has three ponds, sports pitches, a bandstand, a cafe and a paddling pool, and hosts major music festivals and funfairs through the year. The surrounding streets are a destination for eating and drinking.
Visiting tips
The common is free and open at all times. Clapham Common Tube (Northern line) sits right on its edge. It pairs well with a wander around nearby Brixton.
