Tooting’s Hidden Depths

No visit to South West London is complete without a visit to Tooting Common. The common is located between three towns; Balham, Tooting and Streatham and is easy to get to by tube or bus from Central London. The best route to take is probably the 319 bus from Sloane Square as it drops you off right outside the common. As well as being an ideal place for picnics, long strolls or dog walking, the common has several distinctive features and is steeped in history. Here are a few things you may not know about this green and pleasant place.

Two Commons

Tooting Common is often regarded as one area; however, it is actually two commons adjacent to each other. The Tooting Bec Common (also previously known as Tooting Heath) and the Tooting Graveney Common. According to the Friends of Tooting Common, the boundary between the commons ‘followed a watercourse known as the York Ditch’. It was a tributary of the Falconbrook, a former stream which is often referred to as one of London’s lost rivers. However, Dr Johnson Avenue now stands along its course.

Diverse Nature

You will find an impressively diverse range of wildlife, trees and invertebrates at Tooting Common. Some of the more common species of wildlife you will find are mute swans, Egyptian geese, dragonflies and mallard ducks. There are also around ninety-seven species of trees, mainly English Oak, dotted around the park. More interestingly however, are the three historical tree avenues. According to the Tooting Common Heritage site ‘one which was planted in 1600 along Dr Johnson Avenue, supposedly to commemorate a visit to the area by Queen Elizabeth I.’ The other two tree avenues can be found along Tooting Bec Road and by the entrance of Hyde Farm.

A Famous Pond

Tooting Common’s most famous natural feature is the Pond which is a haven for aquatic plants, invertebrates and wetland birds. Although it is commonly known as ‘the Pond’, it is in fact a lake and is highly popular with anglers and nature lovers alike. As well as being the perfect backdrop for a picnic or a quiet stroll, anglers will find plenty to fish such as Perch, Carp and Gudgeon. (However, you will need a fishing permit from Wandsworth Council.) Historically, the Pond was used for sailing model boats and while that may have fallen out of fashion these days, the Pond still attracts visitors of all ages.

The Tooting Bec Lido

Tooting Common is home to one of London’s hidden gems – the Tooting Bec Lido. Originally known as Tooting Bathing Lake, the Tooting Bec Lido is one of the oldest lidos in Britain. It was built in just four months during the spring of 1906, and was opened to the public in July that same year. The pool is also one of Britain’s biggest measuring 100 x 33 yards which means the pool holds 30,000 square feet of water…

According to the South London Swimming Club, it only became a lido in the 1930’s. Before then ‘it was intended partly as a communal bath as very few homes in 1906 had their own bathrooms.’ The SLSC formed just a few weeks after the pool originally opened to the public and has played a vital role at the lido ever since. Serena, a local resident often visits the lido during the summer. ‘It’s really nice there, especially when it’s hot. It’s a great place to swim and relax.’

Sports Activities

As well as swimming in the historic Tooting Bec Lido, you can also have a shot playing various sports on the common. Football and tennis are the obvious choices as there are designated areas for both sports. In the past, you could also play golf, although this was only at certain times for safety reasons.

Cross Tooting Bec Road and you will discover another gem on the Common – the Tooting Bec Athletics Track. The track is 400m in circumference and is open to professional, beginners and casual runners. There are also two sandpits for the triple and long jump, a high jump area and a hammer cage. Nadia, a local resident and sports enthusiast has fond memories of the track and common. ‘When I was in primary and secondary school, we had our sports days here and it was great being able to use the facilities. It made you feel like you were a proper athlete. After we finished, we’d just relax on the common.’ So if you fancy an early run or jog, this is the place to visit.

The Silver Screen - Outdoors

Open air cinema has really taken off in London and any film enthusiast visiting the south-west will enjoy a movie in the grounds of Tooting Common. Tooting has always had a fondness of film (it once had at least three cinemas) and this summer, Luna Cinema will be coming to the common to ‘present two nights of classic films under the stars’.

There is plenty to see and do in Tooting Common and is well worth visiting, not just for its landscape and famous pool, but to see what an integral part it plays in the community.