Clapham Area Guide

As any long term resident will tell you, Clapham has changed. Once best known for its community of lively locals and fried chicken shops, it has emerged as a destination for food lovers and a neighbourhood that harnesses the power of its energetic community for the common good. The area around the market – or ‘Clapham Village’ as it’s recently been dubbed – positively buzzes with a mix of born and raised residents, hip youngsters and growing numbers of families. Clapham Market is the very epicentre of life here, and you can usually buy anything from ackee and saltfish to fromage and champagne. The town will always be famous for its music venues, and things can get hectic on gig nights at the Academy, but life away from the main drag is calm. Spacious Victorian terraces, lovely local pubs and award winning parks on the doorstep are all features that attract families who aren't ready to leave the thrills of London behind them. Aside from its lively nightlife, Clapham is increasingly home to more grown up attractions, with a popular arthouse cinema and several galleries, so despite its great transport links to central London most residents see no need to leave at weekends.

Architecture and property

The coming of the railways linked Clapham with the centre of London in the 1860s and during this time large family houses were built along the main roads. Most of these were converted into flats and boarding houses at the start of the 20th century as the middle class were replaced by an influx of the working class. By 1925 Clapham housed the largest shopping centre in South London, as well as a thriving market, cinemas, pubs and a theatre. However, the post war period was one of decline, followed by slum clearances and the building of council housing. Period housing tends to be late Victorian, although there are pockets of early Victorian. Terraced houses dating from the 1920s can be found where Clapham meets Tulse Hill and the roads around Elm Park Road make up a little enclave that contains some charming cottages. The area around Loughborough Junction station has large four storey houses, mostly converted into flats.

Going out

Eating: Clapham’s multicultural heritage is reflected in the local cuisine. Try sourdough pizza at the original Franco Manca, or venture into the vaulted crypt of St Matthew’s Church for tapas at Gremio de Clapham. This is the area for getting adventurous with your palate – try Algerian cuisine at Khamsa, Nigerian food at Majestic and Indonesian cooking at Satay Bar. The Caribbean Bamboula, opposite the Town Hall is also a local favourite.

Drinking: Clapham has seen an explosion of new bars. Cafe Cairo is an eclectic and cosy cafe/bar with an Egyptian theme and a shisha garden. Dogstar and Jamm are meccas for the younger crowd. Effra Social is a vintage themed bar that hosts cinema nights and pinball tournaments. But there are still plenty of good old fashioned pubs here, with the Prince Albert and the Trinity Arms long time favourites.

Cinema: The Ritzy Cinema was designed as the Electric Pavilion in 1910 and was one of England’s first purpose built picture houses. It shows the latest big movies, as well as arthouse and foreign language films.
Music: The renowned O2 Clapham Academy is one of the biggest non arena venues in the Capital. For music and club nights on a slightly smaller scale, head for Electric Clapham or Club 414.

Culture: Ovalhouse Theatre, a lively fringe arts venue in Kennington, is planning to move to Clapham in 2017, and the Landor Theatre in nearby Clapham specialises in producing little known musicals in its intimate 60 seat space. Clapham Art Gallery has been resident here for more than 20 years and the area is also home to the Black Cultural Archives, which offers insight into the history of people of African and Caribbean descent in Britain.

Green spaces

Brockwell Park is a Green Flag award winner and straddles Clapham and nearby Herne Hill. At 125 acres it is one of the largest green spaces in this area and includes Brockwell Lido, which also has a poolside cafe and full gym facilities. In July the park is also home to the Lambeth Country Show, one of the largest free community festivals in Europe, which includes farm exhibits, funfair and live music. Running parallel to Clapham Road, Max Roach Park includes a nature trail that extends to Rush Common, forming a green corridor through the heart of the area.