Clapham is a district in the South London borough of Lambeth. It is positioned between the areas of Clapham Common, Brixton and Stockwell, and benefits from excellent connectivity to most of the capital.
The average sold price in Clapham in 2021 was £862,51, making it one of the most expensive districts behind Clapham Common, which recorded an overall average of £917,290. As Streatham Vale recorded a £455,769 overall average, Clapham is almost twice as expensive as the borough's most affordable area.
As expected from a fairly central district in South London, most of the properties sold in Clapham over the last year were flats and they averaged at £590,753. Clapham also has a solid selection terraced and semi-detached properties, both of which increased the district's overall property price quite significantly. Clapham's terraced properties fetched an average price of £1,247,413, and the district's semi-detached homes sold for an average price of £1,637,321.
What is it like living in Clapham?
As soon as the railway arrived in the area, Clapham became a preferred suburb for those who commute into central London. Today, the district is home to a wide variety of property including the Victorian terraces in the Abberville area, and the spacious Queen Anne and Georgian properties which span across the Old Town area and Clapham Common.
The 1980s saw the start of gentrification of the district, and today it is generally regarded as one of the borough's affluent areas. The district's excellent transportation links continue to maintain Clapham's popularity amongst commuters into the City. Clapham Common tube station and Clapham South tube station are both on the Northern line, with trains generally departing every two minutes between 6am and 12am.
Clapham High Street and Wandsworth Road stations are on the East London Overground line, which runs in a north-south route through London's East, Docklands and South areas. Clapham is also well-served by numerous bus routes, including the 57 between Putney Heath and Peckham, the 137 between Marble Arch and Streatham Hill, and the N155 which runs between Trafalgar Square and Sutton Station from 11pm to 6am.
Living in Clapham pros and cons
Pro: Clapham has an array of features to suit many lifestyles
Clapham Common stretches across 220 acres and is home to several ponds, numerous footpaths, mature trees and a Grade II listed Victorian-era bandstand. The Common also offers a variety of sports facilities, including a bowling green, football pitches and a running track. A refurbishment of the Common's basketball court was completed in 2021, and as Clapham is home to a large Australian population there are also pitches dedicated to Australian rules football.
Cock Pond is a relatively modern addition to the Common and is widely used as a paddling pool during the warmer months. Mount Pond and Eagle Pond are popular angling spots as they contain bream, tench, roach and carp. Long Pond has a long history of being used for model boating, offering something for everyone to enjoy. The Holy Trinity Church is located on the north side of the Common and it hosts an annual fete during the summer which attracts lots of visitors from the local community. The Common also hosts a variety of other events, including Easter funfairs.
For those who prefer to get their exercise in indoors, Clapham Leisure Centre is fully equipped with contemporary gym facilities, a sports hall, cycle studio, fitness studio and a swimming pool.
There are several shopping areas within Clapham, including Clapham High Street, Clapham Road and Clapham Old Town. Alongside an array of well-known high street names, Clapham's shopping areas are also home to a selection of independently owned businesses, cafés, bars and restaurants. Clapham Picturehouse screens both independent and mainstream films, and the Omnibus Theatre has won awards for its accessible and varied program of entertainment.
Con: Clapham is partially in the ULEZ zone
Although Clapham sits well outside the Congestion Charge zone, part of the district is now within the recently expanded ULEZ zone which has been implemented to improve the capital's air quality. This means that drivers of vehicles that do not meet the emissions standards set out by the scheme will need to pay the daily charge to drive within the area. Currently, that fee is £12.50 per day.
Is Clapham a safe place to live?
In the Clapham Town SNT area, there were 3,471 criminal incidents recorded in the period between February 2020 and January 2021. This figure included 1,142 cases of theft, 955 violent crimes and 246 public order offences.
Crime gradually increased throughout 2021, peaking in September when there were 209 crimes recorded in a four-week period. This number fell to 124 reports in December 2021, however crime rose again in January 2022 as there were 169 incidents reported during this four-week period.
Data from the Metropolitan Police illustrates that there were 34 cases of miscellaneous theft in Clapham Town in November 2021. There were also 23 violent crimes and 21 reports of assault without injury. Many reports of miscellaneous theft and violent crimes occurred around the Clapham High Street area, with assaults without injury being slightly more widespread across the district including the area around Orlando Road and the Omnibus Theatre.
Overall, in November 2021 crime was higher in Clapham Town than it was across the borough of Lambeth and the wider London city area. Clapham Town experienced 13 crimes per 1,000 residents, while Lambeth saw nine crimes per 1,000 residents, and London recorded eight crimes per 1,000 residents.
Which celebrities live in Clapham?
As a highly affluent area Clapham has been home to many notable individuals over the years. Actors Miriam Margolyes, Chris O'Dowd, Charlotte Ritchie, Magot Robbie, and Paul Kaye have all been residents, as has designer Vivienne Westwood, television presenter Holly Willoughby and newsreader Huw Edwards.
Comedian Jo Brand was born in Clapham, and novelists Graham Greene, Angela Carter and Kingsley Amis have spent time living in the area. Other notable residents include musician Natasha Bedingfield, model Heather Mills, diarist Samuel Pepys and chef Ainsley Harriott.
Things to consider when moving to Clapham
As a popular commuter district that sits fairly close to Central London, by the time Northern Line tubes arrive at rush hour they are already packed. This can add extra time onto your commute, which is why locals often aim to get there 10 or 15 minutes earlier than they would otherwise need to. It can be frustrating, but this really is your only option if you need to travel into central London for 9am.
It is also worth highlighting that as Clapham straddles the boroughs of Lambeth and Wandsworth, some properties experience significantly higher rates of council tax than their neighbours. So this is something to pay close attention to before committing to a sale or rental contract.
The good news is that for new residents looking to immerse themselves in the local community, frequent visits to the Venn Street Market is a must. There are also plenty of opportunities to meet new people as the local leisure centre hosts plenty of classes, and there's always something going on in the local area. Do note that Clapham Common gets extremely busy during the summer months, and there is often a bit of a litter problem the day after a particularly busy weekend, which is a shame.