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Balham (/ ˈ b æ l əm /) is an area in south-west London, England. It has been settled since Saxon times and appears in the Domesday Book as Belgeham. The area saw significant development after the opening of Balham railway station in 1856. During World War II, Balham Underground station suffered heavy damage from air raids, killing around 64 ...
- Hildreth Street Market. If you love browsing through delightful selections of fresh produce, artisan crafts, and unique local items, then Hildreth Street Market is an essential thing to do in Balham.
- Balham High Road.
- Wandsworth Common, Tooting Commons & Clapham Common. If you’re more in the mood of cosy greenery and clean air, boy do I have good news. Balham is the epicentre that connects you to 3 wonderful oasis in South London: Wandsworth Common, Tooting Commons, and Clapham Common.
- Balham Library. 16 Ramsden Rd, SW12 8QY.
- Balham Library
- Balham Swimming Pool
- Sewing Machine Museum
- Balham High Road
- The Exhibit
- Wandsworth Common
- Tooting Bec Lido
- Hildreth Street Market
- Tooting Commons
- The Bedford
One of London’s neighborhoods that can boast its own library, the Balham Library isn’t just a repository of knowledge, it also acts as a community center. The library puts on several courses throughout the week for anyone wanting to learn skills or get fit. It also has a great amount of information on the area for those wanting to know more.
And speaking of getting fit, the swimming pool at the Balham Leisure Center is the perfect place if you’re visiting during colder months and want to go for a dip somewhere warm. The high vaulted ceilings and large windows help make it a very pleasing locale as well but keep in mind that the pool can be reserved for waterpolo and other events, so ma...
It might not be the best museum for everyone, but for anyone who’s had to make costumes, repair clothes, or fashion a quilt will want to check out London’s only museum dedicated to the sewing arts. The museum is part of the Wimbledon Sewing Machine Co. Ltd building, which housesthe exhibits upstairs and is full of many different models of sewing ma...
The best shopping to be had in Balham will be along the High Road. From bakers to dentists to household goods, the Balham High Road is like a cross-section of the area’s daily life. Additionally, there are a number of pubsand cafes that line the street if you’re a big hungry or thirsty, so you can stop in while you shop.
Speaking of which, just off the High Road you’ll find The Exhibit, one of the best pubs and performance venues in South West London. On any given night, you might find a movie playing there, a band performing, strutting drag queens, or an up-and-coming comedian trying to make you laugh. The Exhibit claims to have “it all under one roof”, it’s a per...
One of the aforementioned greenspaces in the intro, WandsworthCommon is nearly 172 acres of meadows, ponds, and amenities, including the Wandsworth Common Tennis & Bowls Centre. The common is also home to a wildlife education center named “The Scope” for the Craig Telescope that used to be located in Wandsworth Common.
Tooting Bec Lido makes the list not only for being a major feature of Tooting Bec Common (more on that later), but also because it is the largest freshwater swimming pool and also the oldest open-air pool in London. The pool is open to the public from May to August, but come the fall and winter, you have to be a member of the South LondonSwimming C...
The Hildreth Street Market has transformed from another outdoor farmer’s market to a true foodie’s paradise, with the fresh ingredients joining some of the best street foodthe city has to offer. It’s also worth wandering up and down the street to find many of Balham’s cafes and restaurants offering a wide variety of dishes and beverages sure to ple...
Perhaps the loveliest of the green spaces in Balham, Tooting Commons are actually comprised of Tooting Bec Common and Tooting Graveney Common. Of the two, Tooting Bec offers more to do with the aforementioned lido as well as Tooting Bec Stadium. However, neither one is lacking in a number of pathways, sportsfields, and lovely plants to help you rel...
The top location in Balham, however, has to be The Bedford. Beyond being a Grade II listed public house, The Bedford is a top performance venue, perhaps even more so than The Exhibit. It has often served as a comedy club as well as hosting early performances from some of music’s biggest stars including U2, The Clash, and Ed Sheeran. The food and be...
- Head to Balham Bowls Club. There’s an almost unyielding community spirit throughout Balham, and nowhere is this more prominent than at the Balham Bowls Club.
- Wander Through Hildreth Street Market. A once famous and thriving farmers’ market, Hildreth Street Market underwent quite a facelift in recent years. It is now a trendy pedestrian street lined with pop-up food vendors.
- Take a Walk on Wandsworth Common. An essential part of Balham’s charm and attraction is the inclusion of some of the best parks in South London that call it home.
- Party at The Exhibit. If everything you could imagine worth doing in any suburb came together under one roof, it would be The Exhibit. This independent venue is a cultural and entertainment hotspot spread across three floors.
- The pubs. The Balham Bowls Club has the shabby-chic aesthetic people pay thousands to achieve – plus excellent sausage rolls. The Regent is big and buzzy and The Wheatsheaf serves a cracking Sunday roast.
- And going out out. Don’t want to pay a tenner to get stuck to the walls of Infernos? Then start your night at Balham’s Firefly for Thai food and cool bar vibes before joining the friendly crowd at Hagen & Hyde – there’s live music on Saturdays.
- It’s a cultural hotspot. The Bedford is a Balham institution, habitually attracting huge names to its versatile stage. The Clash played here, as well as U2, and a little known singer called Ed Sheeran – you may have heard of him.
- The coffee shops. Go to Brickwood and MILK for flat whites and leisurely brunch. At Lavish Habit, you can buy the quirky interiors from off the walls. Independent Bertie and Boo does coffee and cake, and has a dedicated children’s play centre down the road.
Dec 1, 2023 · Welcome to Balham – a bustling neighborhood in the heart of South London. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, there’s no shortage of things to do and see in this vibrant area. From beautiful parks and historic landmarks to trendy cafes and restaurants, Balham has it all.
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Jan 18, 2024 · So there you have it – a roundup of the best things to do in Balham. From wining and dining at beloved boozers to belly laughing at a comedy show, there’s plenty in this neck of the woods to keep you entertained – whatever you’re into.
