Clapham: There's nothing common about Clapham

Background

Clapham, in the London borough of Lambeth, may be a familiar name to many Britons due to the famous Clapham Common, but the area itself is known to date back to Anglo-Saxon times, meaning that residents can enjoy a sense of history in their home.

Like many other areas of London, Clapham, which is situated south of the River Thames, appears in the famous Domesday Book - a record of a survey of the UK conducted in 1086 performed on behalf of William the Conqueror.

Indeed, Clapham was originally a hub for some of the city's most wealthy residents, with a number of rich merchants settling there and the large properties they built can still be seen surrounding the Common.

Famous past residents included Samuel Pepys - who is today famed for his diary, but who at the time was a member of parliament - and wife of the renowned explorer James Cook, Elizabeth.

With such a wealth of history, people moving to Clapham could find that there is always something for them to learn about their new home.

Property

Property prices are on the rise in London, despite the recession, which may mean that a move to the city is a daunting prospect for many Britons.

Indeed, recent figures released by the Land Registry revealed that the average property price in the capital increased by 1.4 per cent during October, taking it to £317,601.

In Clapham itself, house prices are only marginally lower, standing at an average of £309,897, which despite being a fall of nine per cent from 2008's figures could still be well out of the affordable price range for many people.

Broken down, the price of a detached property in Clapham currently stands at £564,571, while a semi-detached home is an average of £443,554 and a terraced property is £388,185.

Meanwhile, even a flat or maisonette in Clapham will set buyers back an average of £284,322.

With this in mind, Britons are likely to find that property to rent in Clapham is a far more affordable option.

Tenants can expect to pay an average of £858 per month to rent a studio in the area, £1,192 for a one-bedroom property, £1,512 for two bedrooms and £1,863 for three bedrooms, which may be an attractive option and allow people to live close to the heart of London, with money left over to enjoy it.

Transport

People living in Clapham will find they are ideally situated to travel to work or visit other parts of London, as the area boasts three Tube Stations all on the Northern Line.

These are Clapham North, Clapham Common and Clapham South. Meanwhile, there are also overground rail stations situated at Clapham High Street and Wandsworth Road, although the well-known Clapham Junction station is actually located in Battersea.

As with much of London, Clapham also has excellent bus routes which could prove useful for getting to the office or enjoying a weekend day out exploring the rest of London.

Amenities

Clapham is a shopper's paradise, with a number of retail hubs located in and around, it, most notably at Clapham High Street, Old Town, Abbeville Road and nearby Clapham Junction.

And keen food enthusiasts may be pleased to hear of the new Clapham Sourced Market, which one Love Clapham contributor notes is piled high with locally-sourced seasonal produce, including a range of hot and cold food, fresh produce, breads, cakes, flowers and handmade arts and crafts.

Such news could be perfect for people who love to cook and enjoy a meal at home, but for residents who prefer to dine out, Love Clapham asserts that the top five breakfasts served in the area can be found at The Pavement in Clapham Old Town, The Boiled Egg and Soldiers on Northcote Road, Bon Bon on Abbeville Road, Perfect Blend on Clapham Park Road and Breads Etcetera on Clapham High Street.

And residents concerned about piling on the pounds could find that a stroll or jog around Clapham Common is the perfect way to shift that weight, while they could also try their hand at angling in Eagle or Mount Pond, model boating on Long Pond, or simply sit and relax near the bandstand.

Indeed, by moving to Clapham, people could find themselves adding to the history of the area.

Published 30th November, 2009

© 2009 Estates IT Limited