Clapham Common & Abbeville Village
The vast common, the bandstand, and the village end that feels nothing like it's inside the M25. Walked and written by the editor.

1. Clapham Common North Side
The North Side has the best cafés and the starting point. Mount Pond is the northernmost of the three; the ornamental bandstand is just south.

2. The Bandstand
The Victorian bandstand in the centre of the common hosts concerts on summer Sundays. The common is 220 acres; this is its obvious centre.

3. Long Pond
The longest of the common's three ponds. Model boats, ducks, the occasional heron. The path that circles it is one of the common's quieter circuits.

4. Abbeville Road
The southern village of Clapham. The high street has independent restaurants and shops and a Saturday farmers' market. Completely different in atmosphere from the Common end.

5. Clapham South station
The underground back. Or walk north through the park and return through the Common — the second loop is different at dusk.

Clapham Common & Abbeville Village