Wandsworth Common is one of London's historic Commons and also a great area of green space. History The Manor of Wandsworth and Battersea goes back to the 11th century and the Common was mentioned in the Domesday Book. Like most such land, the Common was an area was set aside which the general population could use under 'common rights' for grazing animals and providing wood for fuel. The Common largely escaped the enclosures that destroyed other commons in the 18th century, but between 1794 and 1866 some 53 partial enclosures took place. It had also begun to be dissected by roads and railway lines, giving rise to pressure for development. Maps of the period show market gardens, a windmill and a large lake known as the 'Black Sea', filled in around 1884. This led to efforts by the local Vicar of Battersea to oppose further incremental development of the Common, and its preservation under the Metropolitan Commons Act of 1866. A first attempt in 1868 failed, but a Commons Defence Committee was formed, and after a series of public meetings, demonstrations (with bands and other entertainment!) and a lot of fund raising and political lobbying, the 1871 Wandsworth Commons Act was passed, securing its future. It passed to the Metropolitan Board of Works in 1887, who started to improve its maintenance - until then it was largely treeless, and much of it was bare and muddy. In 1971 responsibility passed to Wandsworth Borough Council. The Common Despite being dissected by roads and railways, the Common is still a great open space: in fact the various bits have very distinct characters, some with grassland ideal for ball games, others being set aside as woodland and wildlife reserves. A small finger of the Common even penetrates beyond Battersea Rise towards Clapham Junction station. Its 175 acres includes sports pitches, tennis courts, a bowling green, two lakes (one of which can be fished - membership required), a trim trail exercise route and a children's playground. Part of the common is known as the Scope in recognition of a large telescope (once the largest in the world) erected here in 1852. It was removed in the 1870's when air pollution made it unusable. Today, the Scope is a wildlife area, and contains oak and birch woodland, grassland and scrub habitats. Another historic feature is the small windmill on Windmill Road, built in 1837 to pump water from the railway cutting into the Black Sea lake. The sails were removed in 1884 when the lake was filled in, but the base survives and is now a Grade II listed structure. Overall, it is an excellent - and very popular - place to relax in the summer. read more

No one can complain the London doesn't have enough green spaces. This has to be the most perfect picnic spot, place to have a kick around or just while away a sunny day. It's not Richmond park so you're not going to find deer, you'll mainly see dogs but you will find ice cream vans, shady spots for the fair skinned to shelter under, a great pond with swans geese and ducks. there was even a cute little family of ducklings swimming around. What makes this place totally 5 stars is the fact that you avoid the craziness of central and north London, the Twats from the east and the sloneys from the west. There is enough room for everyone, really kiddy friendly and great for family days out. I don't miss my garden now I've discovered the common. read more

Wandsworth Common - Parks Near Me - London, XGL

Wandsworth Common is a much better alternative to Clapham's busy and sometimes over crowded Clapham Common. Wandsworth Common sits right smack bang in the middle of Wandsworth, inbetween Clapham junction and Wandsworth itself. It's a really big park and I've always found it really serene and peaceful. Like all parks, it's great in the summer (obviously) when we've often gone down with a frisby and a bottle of wine to sit in the sun. This is really a "no frills" park and there's not as mucn to *do* per se unlike Battersea Park, which has a zoo and pedal boats etc but, still, I think this park is fine all the same. This park is simple, clean and quiet, just the way I like it. read more

Wandsworth Common - Parks Near Me - London, XGL

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Entering with pitchers of Pimms and exiting with pink shoulders, Wasndworth Common was the perfect place to while away the nicest day of 2010 thus far. Of all the commons, this one tops them all. It was as low key and laid back as a Sunday morning, which was grand after the park I had been in earlier (I'm looking at you London Fields) had been turned over in an uproar by a shooting and a helicopter landing. I prefer my picnics sans pistol. (And heavy on the PImms.) This park is perfect. read more

I'm going to go with a big five stars here, and I don't think this is just neighbourhood bias. I finally took a stroll through Wandsworth Common on the bank holiday yesterday and I was amazed with what it had to offer. Tennis courts, bowls, cricket and football pitches, playgrounds, pull-up bars and other work-out areas, miles of bike and running paths, a cafe, a duck pond (on the Clapham side) and two bigger ponds (on the Wandsworth side) are just a few of the amenities you'll find here. The acres and acres of well-maintained green space with an abundance of trees and foliage is its pièce de résistance, though. The fact that a train line runs unintrusively right down the middle of the space means that Wandsworth Common is divided almost equally into two parts and thereby seems like two separate commons in one! And I'm a sucker for a two-for-one deal. As far as Commons go, this one is tops. read more

Still my favorite park in London for a lazy afternoon reading comics on the world-famous elephant blanket. This park has wide open spaces, leafy shaded areas, a pond full of ducks and swans, and a generally peaceful atmosphere. It's also just plain gosh-durned pretty. Sure it's more yummy mummies than cool kids, but sometimes the park shouldn't feel like a scene. Also, there is plenty of space, so you can always find a good spot. Proximity to The Hope is a bonus- you can bring your beers out onto the common if you please. Truly one of the nicest places in all of London. read more

My favourite park in London, although that is a biased opinion as it is right outside my front door. Wandsworth Common is great for those rare summer days in London, there are wide open spaces, shade under the trees and a duck pond, need I say more! The Common is quieter and more relaxed than its Clapham cousin which adds to the charm. The relaxed feel can fool into into believing you are not in London especially with the variety of bars and shops of Bellevue Road, plus The Hope is is nearby with the added bonus of being able to bring the beers across the road. read more

Sunny day? Go to Wandsworth Common. Meet a bunch of friends. Walk through the common from the train station, past the de rigueur ice cream van (mmmm!), on past the pond.... Come to the big white cafe & buy refreshments (Old Speckled Hen!). Carve out a space on the huge lawn. The gate is tricky to find but don't commit the social crime of jumping over the fence - it's there right next to you, just look hard! Watch the cricket. Have a kickabout. Top up the 'tan. Put the portable radio on. Reflect on how perfect & peaceful the day is. Pack up and go home when the sun goes down. Get some fish & chips on the way back. Bloody good day. read more

Oh my summer God! When it be hot, you want to leave the sweltering city, but too lazy to venture too far, Wandsworth Common is perfect. We got off the train and oohed and aahed over the little picturesque village, walked right across the street and plopped down in the park. It's that close, none of your crazy Richmond park ages from the station nonsense. Full of people, kids, dogs, enjoying the sun, it's clear this is a local favourite. The Common is big enough that you aren't on top of people, and it has a totally peaceful and chilled out country feel. Well, until some kid got chucked in the pond by his friends. read more

I totally agree with Larissa D. on this one - Wandsworth Common is the cream of the crop. I just moved slightly further from Clapham Common and slightly closer to Wandsworth Common a couple of weeks ago. I kind of expected the same old shpeal with Wandsworth but my god it's so much more! Clapham Common is full of serious people who are serious about jogging and serious about being cool and all that. Wandsworth Common is oh-so different. It's like a wonderful escape into a green and wooded little sanctuary. I love the trees. I love the pond with the wooden walkways and swans and geese and ducks. And I actually love that there's a train track down the middle. There was something very sexy about jogging in the rain last night next to the train track, Last of the Mohicans soundtrack on my ipod.... yeah I got into it, whatever. read more

When the sun is shining and you happen to find yourself in south London, Wandsworth Common is a great place to enjoy the fresh air and take a breather from the yummy mummies. The Clapham junction area has its charms, plenty of shopping with a hint of small-town-downtown atmosphere. The area is always having little street fairs and carnivals and is always baby friendly. I found Wandsworth Common when in search of solitude. While I've been here before, there is a newly opened Co-op grocer with bargains at every corner. I picked up a picnic lunch and headed to the large willow tree for my lunch break. Dogs and children are allowed in the park but it seems more people pass through than stick around, so I got a green space to myself for a whole hour! Quite amazing considering we are in London. Consider this south London location to be recommended by a diehard north Londoner! read more

Acres upon acres of green space. Trees in some parts, fields in others. Paths for running and cycling, spaces dedicated to football and cricket, little ponds for ducks and plenty of space to forget that you're in London. Such a lovely place. read more

A very underrated park in London. It's very spacious and there is so much to do here, especially for children. You can feed the ducks in many of the beautiful ponds, play cricket or even bowls. There are also a few nice cafes here. read more

Wandsworth Common is on our doorstep and has become one of my favourite parks in London. It's very pretty with a little pond and lots of lovely flowers. The children play football there in the winter and cricket in the summer. There is a lovely child-friendly café called the Common Ground where I often go with other mums and their kids. In the summer it's great to sit there with a cup of coffee watching the children play. read more

I'm lucky enough to have a house right next to Wandsworth Common. I commute to work and take a lovely stroll through the common in the morning to Wandsworth common station, and every day I appreciate just how wonderful it is. Of course, like all parks and commons, this place its best in the summer. It has tonnes of open green spaces, shaded areas, a beautiful lake and some nice cafes, restaurants, and of course the Hope pub located right next to it. The common is large, but not large enough that you get lost in it. I would say there are two parts to the common, one before you cross Trinity Road and then one after that. Both beautiful, but the second half is much larger and has the lake, all the shops and the vast amount of green space. It is fantastic having the Hope pub so near to the common. There is nothing better on a hot summer's afternoon being able to buy a refreshing drink and soak up the atmosphere. This pub gets very busy though, so be prepared to queue! What's so great about the common is how relaxed it is. Everyone is quietly strolling around, enjoying the scenery and is friendly. I often get a good morning and have a chat whilst out walking my dog. This is the perfect place to have a walk; it has beautiful wooden walkways around the pond and is just large enough for a good hour or so stroll. Of course, living next to this park I am biased, but why would I want to be anywhere else? It's like having the beauty of the country and the convenience of the city rolled in to one. My friends often travel down to London and ask me to meet them in Hyde or St James's park... but I politely tell them there is no need to go anywhere else when I have Wandsworth Common on my doorstep. read more

Wandsworth Common, London SW11 When you go to Wandsworth Common you realise why this area is called Nappy Valley! You need to rent a buggy to fit in! I take my 2-year-old grandson Jake there on Saturday mornings and I used to take Harry, now 10 years old when he was that age. It hasn't changed much at all. It's a huge green, leafy Common, split into various parts. We have a routine, and there's trouble if I change it. We walk along the Bolingbroke Grove part of the Common, past the pretty 'Stock Pond' with the huge scary Canada Geese, bulrushes and a water jet in the middle and follow the path to the small playground, well, one of the playgrounds. We call this 'curly-wurly playground' (because it has a curly slide!) It's got a good soft ground for falls and a variety of things to climb, swing on, jump on etc. There's a safe, secret pathway running behind it and a large hard area with goal posts and high netting, good for footie or wobbly tricyclists! There is always an ice-cream van there! When we've exhausted this playground we walk along the path to the Lady Allen Playground. This is a playgarden for children with disabilities so all the activities are safe. Other children are encouraged to use the playground (£1 entry) and play with the regular children there. You are 'signed in' and there are several staff always around, very enthusiastic young helpers (open 10 12pm every morning). The sand pit is huge and clean, donated by a local building company, the 'tree walk' is exciting because Jake can run along it on his own while still keeping an eye on me, the bikes, trikes and trailers can be hitched together, one slide has got high sides which only Jake can fall over and the other is nice and fast! When it rains, the building has a selection of toys and, better still, huge plastic foam cushions for climbing and an indoor slide. When boredom sets in, we treck over the Common, past the football players and walk alongside the railway line and cross over the bridge. Then we always have an argument as to which way to go. Left Ieads to a beautiful pond full of ducks quacking to be fed, an island in the middle where swans nest and a heron usually stands motionless Jake thinks he is made of plastic like the one in the Garden Centre! Walk round the pond, admire the irises and reeds, watch people fishing and then lo and behold another playground! Then another choice either left to the shops and coffee bars of Bellevue Road (my choice) or right to continue around the common (Jake's choice). There are bushes to crawl through, fallen tree trunks to climb along and a 'Trim Trail' with Yummy Mummies in Juicy Couture track suits elegantly doing press ups or balancing on the bars. We plod on, chasing pigeons, dodging joggers, balls, Frisbees and dogs and come to yes, another playground! Beyond that is The Common Ground, a great restaurant/bar, very child friendly where Baby Music is held every Friday. It's a good place to meet friends with other small children as you can have a coffee and keep an eye on them while they play. This is a very pretty part of the Common with colourful flowerbeds, lots of benches for worn out grannies and a bowling green, cricket pitch and tennis courts. Although it seems that the entire child population of SW11 is on the Common, especially on a Sunday when the Daddies are sent out with little ones while Mummy is cooking lunch, there is masses of room for everyone and lots of hidden places to have a picnic. read more

i lived in a prefab on wandsworth common in the 1950s, on bellvue rd. how i loved those days. if you did i would loveto hear from you alan@newlondonschoolofdriving.com aka albert deighton read more

open sunny place great for picnic, close to the river and local amenities, coffe shops and bars toshelter in in case of rain , great place to meet mates , even got it's own tea shop read more