Clapham Common

Clapham-Common-Strava-Route-Where-to-run-in-LondonClick here for a zoomable map and the Strava Route

  • Distance – 2.0 miles
  • Surface –Tarmac paths with a few bits of grass
  • Terrain – Flat
  • Surroundings – Park
  • Traffic Free – Mostly, there are a few road crossings

The green space in the young, lively, popular urban district of south-west London that’s full of runners, as well as football, cricket, touch rugby and Aussie Rules teams. A outdoor haven in this city suburb where you can’t move from sunbathers and frisbees in the summer.

The Route

Clapham-Common-Aerial
Credit – High Level Photography

The route starts at the north western edge of the park, which is accessible from Clapham Junction rail station.

  • Follow Clapham Common North towards Clapham Town.
  • Turn right at Clapham Town, following the edge of the Common
  • Go past The Windmill pub and turn right again at Clapham South tube station.
  • Follow the path along the right side of The Avenue back towards Clapham Junction.

Opening Times

Clapham Common is open 24 hours. It’s recommended not to run on the Common when it’s dark for safety reasons. You can stay to the edge next to the well lid roads, but please consider your safety or run with others.

Getting There – Public Transport

The closest and best-served mainline station is Clapham Junction (Overground, Southern, Southwestern) and is 0.7 miles from the Common. Clapham Junction station is an 8 minutes train ride from London Waterloo.

Clapham Common and Clapham South tube stations both border the Common (Northern Line).

Parking

There is parking on local streets but resident restrictions will apply Monday to Saturday between 8.30 am and 6.30 pm.

Food and Drink

Clapham-Common
Credit – https://hidden-london.com

La Baita – an Italian café serving coffee, cake, breakfasts and lunches is open from 9 am to 5 pm every day.

Recovery Kitchen – towards Clapham Town serves hots drinks, soft drinks and cake and breakfast.

The Windmill Pub – officially on the Common, but looks out on Clapham Common Southside (road). Standard pub fare and gets very busy on a summers day.

There are numerous eateries, pubs and cafes in Clapham Town (around Clapham Common tube) and down Battersea Rise in Clapham Junction.

Parkrun

There’s a parkrun every Saturday at 9am starting near the double football pitches by Broomwood Road. SW4 9AU. The course is a flat, circular and 2-laps.

Clapham Common Parkrun page here.

Clapham Common Parkrun course page here.

Other Information

Public toilets are available next to the Clapham Playground.

The La Baita cafe near the bandstand also has toilets when the café is open.

Strava

Click here for the Strava route which you can print or export.

Alternatively search “Where to Run in London” in the Strava app, go to “Routes”, pick the route and “Use”