
It’s the butt of many a London-themed joke; a constant contender in the most-hated-neighbourhood-in-the-city debate; the Marmite of London, if you will. Some people love it; some people call it W*nkerville – it’s swings and roundabouts, I guess.
However, as someone who has a bit of a soft spot for this little chunk of South West London, I’m here to fight its corner and showcase that there is in fact more to Clapham than questionable nights out at Infernos, bottomless brunches, and an outrageous amount of train stations. So, here goes…
1. Take a stroll around Clapham Common

The sun is (intermittently) shining and so it would be rude not to kick off our list of the best things to do in Clapham with a visit to the gorgeous green space that is Clapham Common; the centrepiece of the area and the perfect setting to soak up some rays for approximately 3 minutes before complaining about it being too hot and having to retreat into the shade.
From a beautiful bandstand and a picture-perfect pond (complete with a model yacht club) to wonderful woodland areas for your nature fix and cute cafés for your caffeine fix; there’s plenty of ways to while away an afternoon in the sunshine.
If you’re slightly more athletically inclined than me, there’s plenty of sports facilities alongside plenty of space for a friendly game of rounders and a weekly park run. You’ll find me, on the other hand, lounging on my picnic blanket with a cornetto in hand, admiring the view – each to their own and all that…
For the more green-fingered amongst us, there’s also the Bandstand Beds Association; a community garden set up by locals to give residents the opportunity to get outdoors and discover the joys of growing food and connecting with nature. How charmingly un-London of them, hey?
2. Have a boogie at the Clapham Grand

When in Clapham, be sure to pay a visit to Victorian-theatre-turned-music-hall-turned-all-round-entertainment-hub, the Clapham Grand. Whether you’re looking for live music, boozy bingo, stand-up comedy, sing-along movies, or just a good old fashioned knees-up; the Clapham Grand has something to entertain everybody.
With an atmosphere as gorgeous as its architecture, there’s a reason why people have been flooding through the doors of this Grade II listed building since 1900. Round up your pals and have a grand old time.
Plan your visit here.
21-25 St John’s Hill, SW11 1TT
3. Catch a movie at the Clapham Picturehouse

This isn’t just a cinema, this is Clapham Picturehouse, and it’s well worth adding to your things to do in Clapham list.
Located on the iconic Venn Street (you’ll be hearing more about that later), the Picturehouse has well and truly made its mark on Clapham and has become somewhat of a local landmark since it first opened its doors (and its popcorn maker) in 1992.
Whether you fancy watching the latest blockbuster or you’re more of an indie flick fanatic, Clapham Picturehouse is the perfect place for you to kick back, relax, and get transported through the big screen.
They offer an array of inclusive cinema screenings so that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the magic of cinema and they even have dog-friendly screenings too – sign me up, immediately.
Plan your visit here.
76 Venn Street, SW4 0AT
4. Have a wander round Clapham Old Town
It’s sometimes easy to forget that there was a time when the streets of Clapham weren’t predominantly walked by posh uni grads and sleazy estate agents (a crazy thought, I know). Well don’t worry, because Clapham Old Town will help take you back in time and remind you how much historic charm this part of the city has to offer.
Take a wholesome weekend wander, admire the stunning architecture, and pop in to one of the many places there are to eat and drink along the way.
This month, Clapham Fair is back up and running in the heart of the old town so be sure to pop down and experience the very best of this south London suburb.
5. Get competitive at the Four Thieves
Now I know that this one may technically be in Battersea, but the closest station is Clapham Junction, so I’m going to let it slide.
If you’re looking for somewhere that’s going to appeal to your fun (and slightly competitive) side, look no further. Inside the second converted music hall to make this list, we have the Four Thieves: a pub that seems fairly unassuming on entry, but once up the stairs and onto the first floor, you’re greeted with a room full of so much nostalgic joy, you’ll have to stop yourself from squealing.
Whet your whistle, indulge your nostalgia, and thrash your friends at some old-school arcade games all at the same time. We’re talking dance mats, retro arcade cabinets, virtual reality booths, and the Moonshine Raceway (which is basically all the fun of a Scalextric track but without the family arguments involved during the assemblement). What more could you ask for?
Plan your visit here.
51 Lavender Gardens, SW11 1DJ
6. Stuff your face with street food at Venn Street Market

Now I know that London isn’t exactly running thin on the farmers’ market front, but I couldn’t possibly talk about the best things to do in Clapham without giving a shoutout to Venn Street Market.
You only need to set foot on a dating app for 30 seconds to know that every Londoners ideal Saturday morning involves wandering round a local farmers’ market, reusable tote bag on-shoulder, and £6 artisan coffee in-hand. Well, you know what? They might actually be on to something.
Every Saturday, from 10am-3pm, you’ll find the oh-so vibrant Venn Street Market, just a stone’s throw away from Clapham Common station. Discover the very best that Clapham has to offer, from plants and pastries to (quite literally) butchers, bakers, and eco-friendly candle makers.
High quality, fair prices, and a true community feel. Count me in.
Plan your visit here.
Venn Street, SW4 0AT
7. Enjoy some live music at Venn Street Records

We’re sticking with the Venn Street vibe for the next entry on our list of the best things to do in Clapham, and we’re paying a visit to Venn Street Records; a vital cog in the rather eclectic machine that is Clapham’s nightlife scene.
From the vinyl records, neon signs, and rock ‘n’ roll artwork adorning the walls to the daily live music line-up, Venn Street Records is the ultimate hub for the music lovers of south west London (and beyond). Throw in the cracking cocktail menu and the daily happy hour, and you’ve got yourself the recipe for a bloomin’ great night.
Plan your visit here.
78 Venn Street, SW4 0BD
8. Grab a coffee in Abbeville Village

Next up, we’re heading slightly off the beaten track and towards a true hidden gem of Clapham South, Abbeville Village. This quaint little pocket of London is the perfect location for two of my favourite weekend activities: mindless mooching and people-watching.
We’re talking cutesy coffee shops, darling delicatessens, boujee boutiques, gorgeous gastro-pubs, a plethora of yummy mummy’s, and some (quite frankly) humongous houses.
However, with the average house price of the area now being over £1.5million, I think I’ll just stick to being a visitor rather than a local for now, hey?
9. Get your culture fix at Studio Voltaire
Clapham is also home to one of the UK’s leading not–for–profit arts and education organisations, Studio Voltaire. Founded in 1994 in a disused tram-shed, this artist-run space now stands proudly on Nelsons Row and is beloved by locals.
They showcase a huge variety of work and take pride in championing emerging and under-represented artists. Their expansive and diverse programme of art exhibitions, their gorgeous garden, and their café run by local favourites, Juliets, are just three of the reasons why Studio Voltaire is a top contender in our list of the best things to do in Clapham.
Plan your visit here.
1A Nelsons Row, SW4 7JR
10. Pay a visit to the Clapham Clocktower

Last up on our list of the ten best things to do in Clapham is one for the history fiends out there. Unveiled at a ceremony back in 1906 as a gift from Alexander Glegg (Mayor at the time), the Clapham Clocktower continues to be one of the most historical sites in Clapham so be sure to have a quick peek if you’re passing by.
It stands proudly on The Pavement, a bustling row of places to eat, drink, and shop; so if you don’t fancy standing out in the cold to get a picture of the clocktower, there are plenty of independent cafés and restaurants to take shelter in whilst admiring the view.
5 The Pavement, SW4 0HY