Playgrounds

There are four playgrounds in different parts of the Common. One next to Neal’s Lodge/Skylark; one by Chivalry Road; the Windmill playground on Heathfield Road; and St Mark’s playground at the northern extremity of the Common on the way to Clapham Junction.

The Lady Allen Playground next to Chivalry Road is designed primarily for children with special needs but can also be used by local children of an appropriate age range at certain times (follow the link above for more information).

Food and drink

A number of cafés and pubs overlook or are very close to the Common.

The Skylark Café

The Skylark Café is the only food establishment right on Wandsworth Common. It offers a wide ranging menu including breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon treats from the bakery. After a walk across the Common, enjoy their delicious coffees and teas with a side order of cake!

There is a specific menu for children, including dishes for babies that can be served both inside and outside on the terrace.

They can also host your celebration or event by day and by night. In the evening you will have exclusive use of the venue and it’s unique location, while they take care of the food and service.

Trinity Road

The Toast Rack on Trinity Road, next to Wandsworth Common. Gets its name from the grid of houses between Trinity Road and the Common. They serve delicious breakfast, brunch, lunch, pastries and homemade cakes, using organic, locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, alongside coffee and loose leaf teas.

The County Arms pub is located just opposite, with a great view of the Common’s cricket field section.

Bellevue Road

A number of establishments overlook Bellevue Field and provide a beautiful view of the Common while you take coffee or tea or something stronger. They include the Hope, the Althorp, Bonsai, Dilectio, Cafe Nero, Fiel and Flotsam and Jetsam.   

Outdoor Fitness

All Star Tennis

Our aim is make tennis and bowls available and enjoyable to anyone who wishes to play and we are proud of our team of professionally qualified licensed coaches and staff who subscribe to our philosophy.

We offer Pay and Play tennis alongside quality tennis coaching, cardio, leagues, tournaments, adult and junior teams, competitions, lawn bowls, Yoga and Pilates.

Bowling Green

Formerly home to the Bolingbroke Bowls Club, which celebrated its centenary during the pandemic, the green now hosts informal bowls sessions for beginners or experienced bowlers alike, from mid April to September, depending on the weather.

The Friends hosts social bowls sessions on Sunday afternoons (3.30-5.30pm) and Friday evenings (5.30-7.30pm) when newcomers can receive informal tuition and people can play in a relaxed and informal setting, with the opportunity to socialise over drinks at the end of the session. No booking is required - just turn up. Sessions cost £5 (cash or card).

Individual lanes and equipment can also be booked by the hour at any other time online through the All Star Tennis ‘pay and play’ scheme. Booking is also available via their app.

Block booking is also possible for events via info@allstartennis.co.uk

Increased efforts are being made to improve the quality of the green and various initiatives are underway to encourage use of the green which is a much loved area of the Common for bowlers and non bowlers alike.

Please respect the grass surface which is costly to maintain. Obey the signs and keep children and dogs off the grass and supervised at all times.  No glasses to be taken on the green. THANK YOU

Connecting the Commons

Much of the recent habitat planting on Wandsworth Common has been designed to help create plant and wildlife corridors between different parts of the Common. Our ‘Connecting the Commons’ project is a collaboration between Friends of Wandsworth Common and Beautify Balham, with support and funding from the Wandsworth Climate Action Microgrant, with the more ambitious aim of improving connectivity between our three major local commons - Wandsworth, Clapham and Tooting.

Help make our neighbourhood healthier and more attractive for people and pollinators

You can make a difference. It’s quick and easy. 

Plant just one thing: a plant, a bulb, some seeds, or even a tree!

• Pot

• Windowbox

• Balcony

• Front garden

• Back garden

• Tree pit

We would love your help – one plant at a time – to make our neighbourhoods and streets greener, nicer places to be.

Gardens, especially front gardens, can be lacking in greenery. By adding some plants we can do our bit for nature and make our streets more attractive. We call it “Beauty and the Bins”.

 Here are some simple things we’d love you to consider doing:

Add a plant pot or container to a paved area, windowsill or balcony – and attract pollinators!

• Scatter wildflower seeds – even in plant pots! Autumn and spring are great times for this.

• Learn about gardening for pollinators with friendly plants.

• If you have a back garden, consider a nature-friendly lawn, bird bath or "mini pond" container.

• Share photos of your plants and pollinators on social media or your local message group.

Happy greening! Each positive step – no matter how small – contributes to community, beauty, biodiversity, and even flood mitigation!

Please send us your feedback, ideas and photos to: connectingthecommons@gmail.com

Feeling more ambitious? Learn more about:

• Front gardens across London and Twickenham’s front garden campaign

• Greening projects

• Water butts

• And much more!

Many thanks!

Connecting the Commons

“greening the spaces between our green spaces”

We are a partnership of Friends of Wandsworth Common and Beautify Balham with support and funding from the Wandsworth Climate Action Microgrant

We thank local organisations for their support: 

Friends of Tooting Common, Friends of Clapham Common, Wild Clapham, and Front Gardens Network (CPRE London).