• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
    • First Time Here?
    • Archive
    • London Blogs
  • Blog
  • Travel
    • London Theater Tickets
    • Shopping
    • Tips
    • Tours
    • Transport
    • Maps
    • Parks
    • Resources
    • Restaurants
    • Top 10 London
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Buildings
    • Food
    • London Books
    • Movies
    • Museums
    • Music
    • Pubs
  • Londonism
    • Reviews
    • Fun London
    • Iconic London
    • Life in London
    • London Realities
    • Moving to London
    • Politics
  • The Tube
  • London History
    • Great London Buildings
    • Great Londoners
  • Contact
  • Guidebooks
    • 101 London Travel Tips – Guidebook
    • 101 Free Things to do in London

Londontopia

The Website for People Who Love London

You are here: Home / Top 10 London / Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Balham

Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Balham

Mar 12, 2020 By John Rabon

Balham is a neighborhood in South West London that is old enough to appear in the Domesday Book, where it was listed as Belgeham.  It was meadows and farmland for centuries until the expansion of the city engulfed it and turned it into another suburb.  Without much history of note, today, Balham offers a lot for people visiting.  Those who are into greenspace will want to visit as it is situated adjacent to four common land parks, but that’s not all you’ll find here.  We’ve outlined ten spots we think you should visit below and you can let us know any places we missed in the comments.

Balham Library

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.

Balham Swimming Pool

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 water polo and other events, so make sure to check that it’s open in advance.

Sewing Machine Museum

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 houses the exhibits upstairs and is full of many different models of sewing machines.  Be sure to check that it’s open first as it does so only one day per month.

Balham High Road

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 pubs and cafes that line the street if you’re a big hungry or thirsty, so you can stop in while you shop.

The Exhibit

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 perfect place for anyone.

Wandsworth Common

One of the aforementioned greenspaces in the intro, Wandsworth Common 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

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 London Swimming Club to gain access.

Hildreth Street Market

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 food the 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 please any palette.

Tooting Commons

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, sports fields, and lovely plants to help you relax in the midst of the city.

The Bedford

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 beverages aren’t to be beaten either, so make sure to check the schedule and see what’s on to find the best night to experience this great pub for yourself.

John Rabon
Author: John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

close

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Share this:

  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Pocket

Filed Under: Guides, Top 10 London

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

About John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Get the Anglotopia/Londontopia App

Our Advertisers

If you are a mobile gamer, you may want to take a look at UK’s new mobile casinos and slots reviewed by NewCasinoUK.

Join the London Forum

  • Mudlarking
  • MY FAVOURITE PLACE IN LONDON
  • What's Your Favorite Place in London?
  • Paddington Station

London Guide

  • Ten Cheap Things You Can Do in London on a Budget
  • Ten London Exhibitions to Look Forward to in 2023
  • London’s Non-Free Museums: Your Guide to London’s Museums That Charge Admission
  • Trip Planning: Top 10 Exhibitions To Plan Your 2018 Trips to London Around
  • London Guide: Our Favorite Restaurants in London – London Restaurant Recommendations for Americans – What’s Your Favorite?

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • RSS Feed
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Support Londontopia

Search our Extensive Archive

Top 10 London

  • Ten Unusual Exhibits to See in London
  • London Pubs: Ten Thameside Pubs for a Pint and a View
  • Top 10 London: Ten More Things to Do Along the River Thames
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Shopping Centers in London
  • Museums of London: Ten Overlooked London Museums
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haggerston
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haringey
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Redbridge
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Hillingdon
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to Do in Canonbury

Recent Posts

  • Artist Ai Weiwei to launch first design-focused exhibition at London’s Design Museum
  • London Travel Alert: Staff at British Museum to walk out during half-term break
  • Poet Lemn Sissay ‘over the moon’ to receive Freedom of the City of London
  • English Heritage has unveiled six new blue plaques for London
  • National Portrait Gallery to reopen in June with two special exhibitions
  • Exploring The Cosmic House in London
  • Ten Social Media Accounts to Follow for Londonphiles
  • New Royal Academy Exhibition: Treasures from Spain and the Hispanic World
  • Pollock’s Toy Museum in London Has Closed Unexpectedly
  • The Fiver:  Five Live-Action Children’s Shows Set in London

Best Posts on Londontopia

  • 101 London Travel Tips
  • Top 100 London Attractions
  • How to Find the Cheapest Airfares to London
  • 10 Things NOT to do in London
  • Best London Guidebooks
  • 101 Free Things to do in London
  • London Lingo – A London Word Dictionary
  • Top 7 Tips for Doing London on the Cheap
  • Top 11 Myths American Believe about London
  • Guide to Eating in London
  • Best Times of Year to Travel to London
  • London Packing Tips
  • Top 11 Movies Set in London
  • Top Attractions off the Tourist Track
  • Top 5 Most Amazing London Hotels
  • Top 10 Hostels in London
  • Best Views in London Restuarants
  • London Taxi Ettiquette
  • Top 12 London Views
  • Great Fire of London
  • A Guide to Five of London’s Bridges
  • 10 Random Facts and Figures about Trafalgar Square
  • Top 100 British Slang Words

London Places to Explore

Bloomsbury Buckingham Palace Canary Wharf City of London Covent Garden Cutty Sark Greenwich Hampstead Hampton Court Palace Heathrow Houses of Parliament Hyde Park Imperial War Museum Islington Kensington Kensington Palace Leicester Square London London Eye London Transport Museum Museum of London National Gallery Notting Hill Piccadilly Circus Putney Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Regent's Street Royal Academy Selfridges Somerset House Southbank Southwark St Pancras St Paul's Cathedral Tate Britain Tate Modern The City Tower Bridge Tower of London Trafalgar Square V&A Wandsworth West End Westminster Westminster Abbey

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Recent Videos

Walk Around London Virtually Right Now – Watched Walker is the YouTube Channel We All Need Right Now

Jason Hawkes Shares a Beautiful Video of London From Above That We All Need Right now

London Tube: You’ve Got to Watch This Amazing Mesmerizing Animation That Shows the Real Geography of the London Underground

Video: The Basics of Crossrail – London’s New Underground Line

London History: The Place Where Old London Double Decker Buses Went to Die

London Video: A Look at the Great Smog of London

Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March

What is Crossrail 2 and What is Its Current Status?

London Alert: Strike by London Underground workers to go ahead after last-minute talks fail

London Mayor hails Elizabeth line as direct routes and Sunday services begin

Elizabeth line fully opens and offers more direct journeys

Tube poet encourages writers to ‘bring who they are to the field’

Footer

About Londontopia

Londontopia is simply the website for people who love London. It was founded by Jonathan & Jackie Thomas from Anglotopia.net as a place to post articles solely focused on London and its environs. Keep up with all the latest London news at Londontopia! This site is geared towards people who love to visit London and our primary audience is North American but everyone is welcome!

When We’re in London Next

We don’t currently have any travel plans to London but hope to visit at some point in 2021.

  • SEO Backlinks
  • Travel Blog

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Copyright © 2023 Anglotopia, LLC · Website Developed by Anglotopia, LLC · Log in