Wandsworth Common

Wandsworth common is a public common in Wandsworth, south London. It is close to Clapham Common and Wandsworth Common railway station. It is wholly in the London borough of Wandsworth. It is 73 hectares (175 acres) large and is maintained and regulated by Wandsworth Council.

There is a large area to the east of the train line, which is mainly used for competitive sports (mainly football, touch rugby and rounders). There are a number of ponds and a lake, which can be used for fishing (with a permit).

Facilities include an educational centre in an area dedicated to wildlife known locally as 'The Scope' (named after a telescope used by Rev John Craig, the Craig telescope, but was demolished due to pollution obscuring its views). There are also tennis courts, a bowling green and a pub in the grounds, named 'Common Ground'. A fitness trail has been developed and the Common is popular with local runners, dog walkers and cyclists.

Houses on the Wandsworth (SW18) side are in what is known as the 'Toast Rack' and are large Victorian semis and detached homes, some with blue plaques denoting notable residents who previously lived there. But one prominent former resident commemorated in this fashion is the British prime minister David Lloyd George.

Many retail outlets along Bellevue Road are of a premium but independent 'boutique' format (these include children's clothing shops, a bookstore, an art dealer and a gentlemen's gift shop), surrounded by up-market Victorian/Edwardian...
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