If you’re looking for an interesting place to visit in London, Balham is definitely worth a look.
This vibrant suburb has a lot to offer its visitors, from historical landmarks to trendy restaurants and bars. There’s no shortage of things to see and do in Balham and the area is steeped in history.
Here are 8 facts about Balham that will make you want to check it out!
8 facts about Balham
1: The area was once known as Balley, which is where the name Balham comes from.
2: Balham has been home to a number of famous people over the years, including fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott.
3: The Balham Bowls Club is the oldest sporting club in London, dating all the way back to 1869.
4: Balham was historically a rural village until it was absorbed into London in the nineteenth century.
5: Balham is home to Du Cane Court, an art deco apartment block situated on Balham High Road. With 677 flats, it is the largest privately-owned block of flats under one roof in Europe.
6: During World War 2, Balham suffered a number of bomb attacks. One raid in 1940 triggered the Balham tube disaster, which also caused a bus to descend into the bomb crater.
7: Balham is the only station on the tube that has none of the letters from the word ‘underground’ in its name. Riveting, we know.
8: Balham is home to a wide range of different nationalities and cultures. The Polish, Portuguese, Irish, Brazilian and Somali communities are well represented in the area.
Living in Balham
Balham has something for everyone – whether you’re looking to settle down, meet new people or party with friends. With its great transport links, buzzing nightlife and diverse culture, Balham is a great place to call home.
If you’re a party animal, you’re never too far away from a good night out in Balham. The Balham Bowls Club, The Devonshire and the Bedford pub are all popular spots for locals. And if you’re looking for something a bit more up-market, Balham has that covered too – with a number of trendy bars and restaurants like The Cyclist and Haché.
If you’re looking to settle down, Balham has got great schools and local amenities. Balham is a great place to raise a family – with plenty of parks and green spaces for the kids to play in. You’ll often hear that ‘Balham is posh‘, but don’t let this deter you. There are plenty of affordable options available.
Balham has fantastic transport links, making it super easy to get around London. The tube station at Balham is on the Northern line, and there are plenty of bus routes that run right through the area too.