Clapham Common, SW4, covers about 80 hectares, and lies between Clapham to its north and east, Wandsworth to its west, and Balham to its south. The A3 (Clapham Common Long Road) borders it to its north, the A205 (The Avenue) borders it to its southwest, and the Clapham Common South Side bounds it on its southwest. Parts of the common are divided by these and other connecting roads.
Clapham Common today is mostly grassland. There are lines of trees alongside the roads, some avenues, and some woodland areas elsewhere. Some trees are of considerable size.
There are some areas that have been developed somewhat for conservation and wildlife, and there are three ponds.There are several cafes, two playgrounds, and a number of sports facilities. Fishing is permitted in some ponds. There are also tennis courts, and football and other sports facilities.
The bandstand in the centre of the common has recently been restored.The common is well used for events such as funfairs and circuses. This has raised some opposition from user groups, who feel that it is overused.
Clapham Common is known as a gay meeting place. Notoriously in 1998, it became known as the place where one Welsh minister ended his Westminster career.A plot of common land with a long history of use, Clapham Common became well used for events such as fairs by the late 18th century. Some of the ponds were dug out for gravel in this century. By the early 19th century local residents were making attempts to improve it as parkland, and attempts to build railway lines across it were blocked.
It was finally purchased for use as open space in 1877. The land was drained, paths and ponds were built, and the bandstand was erected.During World War II, the land was used for military purposes, and the previously undulating land was almost completely flattened.
Clapham Common is managed by London Borough of Lambeth, though part of it lies within the London Borough of Wandsworth. Telephone 020 7926 9000.