south west is best: lyvly's guide to clapham
Clapham: South west is best
You probably know the name, it's London a south west London institution, spanning both Lambeth and Wandsworth boroughs. But what’s it really like? We’ve got all the insider details on what you might need to know if you’re thinking about moving to Clapham.
Almost 50% of people living there are single, and it's universally popular with professional and creative industries. Most homes in Clapham are high-end or luxury flats, ranging from studios all the way to 4-bed and more. There are plenty of Victorian terraces as well, with quite a few beautiful 6-bedroom houses in Lyvly's portfolio.
What's the story?
The name Clapham, or variations of it, has been around for a while. Records date back over 1000 years, when the area was a small village in rural Surrey. The name originates from the original Clopp Ham, which when translated means ‘village (ham) by the short hill (clopp)’. It shifted to Clopeham along the way, and finally became Clapham.
Clapham didn’t really rise to popularity until the late 18th century. Rich merchants took a liking to the area and began building property, which grew Clapham’s status. This proceeded to attract a wealth of popular names. From Samuel Pepys to Captain James Cook’s wife Elizabeth, there were plenty of famous faces living in Clapham even back in the 1700s.
In more recent history, Clapham’s known for some of its famous residents like Holly Willoughby, Vivienne Westwood and Margot Robbie. As you might’ve guessed, in Clapham you’re always in good company.
GETTING AROUND
Clapham’s always been a hub for commuting, and it’s no different today. So, here’s a breakdown of how quickly you can get to key working hubs from Clapham Common Underground station. The Underground runs every 3 minutes, except where specified, so there’s no need to panic about missing your train. Clapham Junction is also a great transport link, so depending on where you live, you might prefer to use either station.
We’ve listed the faster route to each location for you, so you can decide for yourself.
As a bonus, you can get to St Pancras International in under 30 minutes, so if you fancy a quick jaunt to Paris or Amsterdam on the Eurostar, there’s nothing stopping you.
WHAT'S IT GONNA COST ME?
Living in London is naturally more expensive than in other parts of the UK because it’s the capital. Of course, when you’re renting with Lyvly, you don’t have to worry too much, because all of your bills are included in your rent price, meaning what you see is exactly what you get. Score.
If you’re interested, here’s some of the average rental prices for Clapham.
- One-bed flat: £1500 pcm
- Two-bed flat: £2000 pcm
- Three-bed flat: £2500 pcm
Council tax in Clapham is a bit more complex, because the area’s split over two separate boroughs. If you’re in Old Town, Clapham North or Clapham South, you’re in the borough of Lambeth, but if you’re not, you’re likely in the borough of Wandsworth.
But Lyvly’ll worry about all that. They handle all your bills, including heating, water, tax and internet, without you needing to do a thing. That means you can stress less about your Council Tax and more about deciding which of the amazing Clapham Common pubs you’re going to check out.
WHAT IS THERE TO DO IN Clapham?
Clapham’s a great location if you’re into partying, but more than that, there’s some great hangouts and places to spend a sunny afternoon.
When the sun’s shining, there’s no better place than Clapham Common to have a picnic or sunbathe, enjoying the rare moments of Summer in Britain. Check out the popular Clapham Common pubs, like the Bobbin, the Coach and Horses or the Bread and Roses, while you’re there.
If you’re a big foodie, Venn Street Market is the perfect spot for you. Held every Saturday by the Common from 10am – 4pm, it’s a community food market that works directly with independent producers and farmers. Everything’s locally sourced, too. Not only is the food great, but you can sleep easy knowing that the ethos is supportive and environmentally friendly.
Clapham South is also home to Abbeville Village, which is popular for its amazing gastropubs, quaint farmer’s market and antiques shops.
We could tell you so much more, but we thought it’d be better to let you hear it from someone who’s living there now. We posed some questions to our Clapham Insider to help give you the best info about what your life could look like living here in a Lyvly property.
For a rundown of everything you need to know about moving to London, check out our guide.
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LYVLY'S INSIDER GUIDE
Mike Stead, Lyvly committee member, Clapham veteran and eater of pancakes, knows all the places. All of them.
Where insiders eat
My go to restaurant, that never fails is Soif! No, I didn’t sneeze, it’s French for “thirst”, which is pretty apt for a wine bar and bistro! They do some amazing French dishes in a lovely friendly environment.
For brunch, there’s too many to name, but some that stand out include Ben's Canteen, Brew and The School House. Well worth checking out.
2 Love Tea and Coffee House does the best Red Velvet cake I’ve ever tasted, and you’ve got to try their Chocolate and Guinness cake too. Story Coffee is also a short walk from the station, so if you’ve got friends or family in tow it’s a good pit stop.
Where insiders go to unwind on the weekend
If it’s a Saturday, start off at The Plough or The Northcote for a few drinks, then take a wander across to Archer Street before ending up in Northcote Records to finish your evening with a bang.
Then on Sunday, you wake up a little groggy, head to The Goat for a Sunday roast, then head across the road to Vagabond for some wine and tapas if you’re not already full.
Where insiders work out
In the Summer, you’ll always find plenty of people exercising on the Common. It’s free, social and fun. You can’t go wrong.
Where insiders cut loose
I'm a big fan of King of Ladies Man for a quirkier vibe. You can't go wrong with Northcote Records on a Saturday night either, plus they do a great open mic night on Thursdays. Or, for something a bit more fun, try Archer Street, a cocktail bar with West End style entertainment. They have a tendency to burst into song every now and then!
To see where you could be calling home, click here to check out our gorgeous properties in Clapham.
