neighbouring areas
Postcodes
| SW10 | SW16 | SW3 | SW9 |
| SW11 | SW17 | SW4 | TW10 |
| SW12 | SW18 | SW5 | TW9 |
| SW13 | SW19 | SW6 | |
| SW14 | SW2 | SW7 | |
| SW15 | SW20 | SW8 |
other districts in UK
| Central London | North London | South West London | |
| East Central London | North West London | West Central London | |
| East London | South East London | West London |
Balham has a vibrant town centre with a strong multicultural community and an increasingly buoyant local economy.
Living in Balham
Balham is in the London Borough of Wandsworth, although a small area east of Cavendish Road is in the Borough of Lambeth.
Clapham Common lies to the north of Balham, Wandsworth Common to the west, Tooting Graveney Common to the south, and Tooting Bec Common to the east.
Following World War II, many of the older properties that had survived the bombs were converted into flats or bedsitters, giving Balham a transient, neglected feel.
However, in the last decade or so, Balham's solidly-constructed housing stock of large Victorian villas and 3-bedroom Edwardian houses is attracting both young professionals and families. Residents enjoy excellent transport links, especially to the City, complemented by leafy streets and large green commons.
Another lure to Balham is Du Cane Court, a distinctive Art Deco apartment block on Balham High Road. It was built in the mid 1930s and is one of the largest privately owned apartment blocks in Britain with 676 flats ranging from studio flats to 4-bedroom penthouses.
Balham High Road is a wide, busy, main thoroughfare with plenty of retail outlets, bars, restaurants and cafés, often reflecting the area's Asian population. Balham also boasts a Waitrose supermarket, a sure sign of its middleclass credentials.
Tooting is a few minutes by car south of Balham and offers an even wider choice of shops. Bellevue Road on Wandsworth Common has several upmarket restaurants (including Chez Bruce) and clothing boutiques.
Transport
Balham tube station is on the Northern Line and links south to Tooting, South Wimbledon and Morden, and north to Central London and the City of London.
Balham railway station is part of the tube station and is served by Southern Trains, providing a direct link south to Croydon and Gatwick Airport, and north to Clapham Junction, Victoria and Watford Junction.
For details of train services throughout the UK please visit http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
Balham is on several bus routes and has good road access to Central London.
For information regarding buses and tubes please visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/default.aspx
History and culture
200 years ago Balham was a hamlet of farms and a few country houses but as travel to London became easier, the town began to grow around Balham Hill in the early 19th century.
In the mid 19th century the Crystal Palace Railway arrived and Balham grew around the new station, with the High Road becoming its thriving commercial centre.
One of the finest residential districts in Balham was built by Alfred Heaver in the grounds of Bedford Hill House and is now a highly sought after conservation area.
Polish immigrants have been settling in Balham since the 1950s and the White Eagle Club is a thriving Polish community centre. Opposite the club is a Polish catholic church.
view the 10 most recently added properties for sale in Balham
5 bedrooms house in Balham Park Road, London, SW12 - Guide Price of £2,795,000
Four reception rooms - Six bedrooms - Three bathrooms - Off street parking - South facing garden... view full details
2 bedrooms flat in Midmoor Road, London,London - Guide Price of £400,000
An extremely spacious and well presented split-level Victorian maisonette with two double bedrooms, two bathrooms, a private garden and fantastic entertaining space, located in a highly desirable...... view full details
4 bedrooms flat in Boundaries Mansions, Balham, SW12 - Asking price of £415,000
Davis & Gibbs are pleased to present this spacious mansions apartment to the sales market. The apartment is situated in Boundaries Mansions which is ideally located close to Balham High street,...... view full details
2 bedrooms flat in Fernlea Road, London SW12 - Asking price of £330,000
A first and second floor two bedroom maisonette forming part of a flat fronted early Victorian terraced property which has been recently refurbished throughout.... view full details
2 bedrooms flat in Glenfield Road, Balham, London SW12 - Asking price of £334,950
A delightful ground floor period maisonette located in the desirable 'Hyde Farm' area, just moments from the open spaces of the Common.... view full details
5 bedrooms house in Gosberton Road, London, SW12 - Guide Price of £750,000
Kitchen/breakfast room - Double reception room - Five bedrooms - Bathroom - 24ft garden... view full details
3 bedrooms flat in Byrne Road, Balham, London SW12 - Asking price of £379,950
Three bedroom split level victorian conversion flat with outside space in central balham. Accommodation is laid out over three floors to include reception room, eat in kitchen breakfast room, two...... view full details
4 bedrooms house in Dinsmore Road, London,South West London - Asking price of £699,950
A delightful Victorian terraced house in a much sought after residential area...... view full details
4 bedrooms house in Off Chestnut Grove, Balham, Clapham, London SW11 - Asking price of £1,250,000
A modern town house occupying a corner position and forming part of an exclusive gated mews development by balham centre and near both underground and main line stations. A noteable attraction of...... view full details
