Balham
The Area
Property buyers seeking a strong sense of community would do well to consider this green and leafy South London suburb in the borough of Wandsworth. Balham is just five miles away from central London, and its convenient Zone 3 location makes it popular with commuters and families. The area is bounded by Tooting to the south, Clapham to the north, and Brixton to the east.
Recoco property finders can locate extremely attractive accommodation in areas including the Heaver Estate, where many homes were designed by architect Alfred Heaver in the late 1890s. Recoco buying agents will also help you decide between the stunning flats and apartments and spacious family homes available. Some sell for the low millions. If you prefer more modern accommodation, developments like Ipsus10, winner of the ‘Best Residential Development in London’ in 2018, might suit you better.
Travel
Balham is served by the Northern Line, and Overground trains can have you at Victoria in around 15 minutes. Numerous buses head towards other areas of South London. When Crossrail 2 is constructed, transport in the area will improve further. Cycling enthusiasts can take the Cycle Superhighway 7 through Balham.
If proximity to major airports is a factor in your property search, Recoco buying agents can confirm that both Gatwick and Heathrow can be reached in about an hour by road. Roads are very busy in Balham, and the South Circular is easy to reach.
The History
A settlement called Baelgenham was established around the 8th century but did not grow much until around the mid-1770s, when the first large houses appeared on Balham Hill. In 1808, St Mary’s Church opened for worship, and by 1824, when the church was enlarged, more shops had appeared in the district.
As the area grew, grander houses were built, many with fine gardens. The coming of the railway in 1856 was a major turning point in the development of the district. Balham Tube Station opened in 1926 on what later became the Northern line.
Leisure and Events
Recoco property finders can help you pinpoint accommodation within easy reach of the three Commons: Clapham, Tooting, or Wandsworth. The Leisure Centre has gym and squash courts, a swimming pool, sauna and steam room, and nearby Tooting Bec Lido is the biggest open air freshwater pool in England.
Balham café culture is also well-developed, with dozens of independent coffee shops; some even incorporate soft play areas for kids. The Exhibit is the local place for property buyers to catch up with cinema releases while those who enjoy live music can head for The Bedford, where performers in previous years have included U2, The Clash, and Ed Sheeran.
If you simply love to laugh, ask your Recoco buying agent for details of the Balham Comedy Festival or the Banana Cabaret in The Bedford pub. There are regular activities at Balham Library, and the community spirit is evident in the many clubs and societies in the area.
Those in need of a little retail therapy will be especially delighted by the range of independent stores on offer in Balham which include vintage clothing, cycling shops, and well-stocked local florists.
Education
The excellent choice of schools in Balham makes another great selling point for your Recoco property finder. Primary schools are especially good, with several rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. There are also two ‘Outstanding’ comprehensives in the district: Chestnut Grove Academy and La Retraite RC (girls only). There are also excellent private schools, including Eveline Day School, Hornsby House, and Oliver House.
Celebrity Connections
Famous names associated with Balham include TV chef Ainsley Harriott; football giant Jimmy Hill; actress Margaret Rutherford; and singer/songwriter Adele, who attended Chestnut Grove School. Jack Dee used to live here, as did property search guru Sarah Beeny, fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and musician Malcolm McLaren.
Foodies’ Corner
American, French, Italian, Jamaican, Japanese, Lebanese, Nepalese, Thai; chapattis, chicken or pizza – you’ll find all of these cuisines and more in Balham. The monthly Balham Country Market sells locally grown fruit and vegetables and home-made cakes, pastries and other delights. The high street has several specialist food stores including a butcher and beer and wine supplies outlets, while both Sainsbury’s and Waitrose supermarkets are nearby.
Fun Fact
Property buyers might like to take a minute or two out of their property search to admire the curiously anonymous sculptures on the side of Balham Station. These family scenes were created by artists Christine Thomas and Julia Barton. They were unveiled in 1991.