Guidebook for London
Food Scene
Pop along to the wine tasting shop to do an actual tasting or pick up a bottle or two to bring home. The owners give great advice on wine for any occasion.
The Wine Tasting Shop
18 Hildreth StPop along to the wine tasting shop to do an actual tasting or pick up a bottle or two to bring home. The owners give great advice on wine for any occasion.
Incredible authentic Mexican food the owner and Head chef are both Mexican and the food is fantastic as a result. the Baja Pescado and Tommy's margarita are our absolute favourites.
1910
3 Ramsden RdIncredible authentic Mexican food the owner and Head chef are both Mexican and the food is fantastic as a result. the Baja Pescado and Tommy's margarita are our absolute favourites.
This is the best pizza I've ever had in my life, and I do not say that lightly (I lived in NY for 8 years and this place still gets my vote). If the weather is good the best thing is to do the 20 minute walk down beautiful Northcote Road and get it to takeaway and eat on the Common.
Delivery is less reliable and usually only for 2 or more pizzas (and they are absolutely giant, like, the size of a car wheel) when you pick up you can get 1 or just a few slices instead.
6 locals recommend
Breadstall
56 Northcote RdThis is the best pizza I've ever had in my life, and I do not say that lightly (I lived in NY for 8 years and this place still gets my vote). If the weather is good the best thing is to do the 20 minute walk down beautiful Northcote Road and get it to takeaway and eat on the Common.
Delivery is less reliable and usually only for 2 or more pizzas (and they are absolutely giant, like, the size of a car wheel) when you pick up you can get 1 or just a few slices instead.
Drinks & Nightlife
Lively scene, great outdoor space to the side of the building, cocktails, good food and cool venue with a balcony area above.
37 locals recommend
The Exhibit Bar & Restaurant
12 Balham Station RdLively scene, great outdoor space to the side of the building, cocktails, good food and cool venue with a balcony area above.
Huge pub with vintage decor, from the outside looks small but goes right the way back to a big beer garden on two levels and spans three floors inside. The food is decent (it's basic but tasty) and they have a nice beer selection. Good place to go and play cards, chat to friends and soak up the sun when it's out.
25 locals recommend
Hagen & Hyde
157 Balham High RdHuge pub with vintage decor, from the outside looks small but goes right the way back to a big beer garden on two levels and spans three floors inside. The food is decent (it's basic but tasty) and they have a nice beer selection. Good place to go and play cards, chat to friends and soak up the sun when it's out.
This pub has the best and biggest beer garden I have come across in London and it's only a 15 min walk from our place. The back garden there has a fountain, an outside bar and good food. Well worth the short walk in the sunshine.
28 locals recommend
The Avalon
16 Balham HillThis pub has the best and biggest beer garden I have come across in London and it's only a 15 min walk from our place. The back garden there has a fountain, an outside bar and good food. Well worth the short walk in the sunshine.
One of few independent bars in the area, great cocktails, sit at the actual bar if you can.
22 locals recommend
Lost & Found Bar
10 Bedford HillOne of few independent bars in the area, great cocktails, sit at the actual bar if you can.
This is the only independent pub left in the area. it's excellent, everything a traditional English pub should be, no frills, no website, no bookings, no food (although you can bring your own) and sometimes Breadstall Pizza delivers to the pub (if you can make this happen, or pick up and bring to the pub, then you're truly winning :)
12 locals recommend
The Eagle Ale House
104 Chatham RdThis is the only independent pub left in the area. it's excellent, everything a traditional English pub should be, no frills, no website, no bookings, no food (although you can bring your own) and sometimes Breadstall Pizza delivers to the pub (if you can make this happen, or pick up and bring to the pub, then you're truly winning :)
Parks & Nature
It's a 7 minute walk from the house and makes for a nice walk in the woods, past ponds, there are tennis courts, small trails and plenty of grass to picnic in. The Hope pub is on the edge there if you fancy some food and a pint after your walk.
34 locals recommend
Wandsworth Common station
Nightingale LaneIt's a 7 minute walk from the house and makes for a nice walk in the woods, past ponds, there are tennis courts, small trails and plenty of grass to picnic in. The Hope pub is on the edge there if you fancy some food and a pint after your walk.
Much bigger than Wandsworth Common, and has one of the biggest outdoor swimming pools in Europe - The Tooting Bec Lido. For about £6 each you can spend a wonderful afternoon at the Lido sunbathing and swimming.
104 locals recommend
Tooting Bec Common Cafe
Much bigger than Wandsworth Common, and has one of the biggest outdoor swimming pools in Europe - The Tooting Bec Lido. For about £6 each you can spend a wonderful afternoon at the Lido sunbathing and swimming.
Shopping
Bunka
4 Dartmouth RdNice gift shop, candles, baby gifts, blankets etc.
Entertainment & Activities
Great selection of films, only two stops up the Northern Line or a 40 minute walk. Down a quiet side street full of nice bars and restaurants for before or after (or both!)
199 locals recommend
Clapham Picturehouse
76 Venn StGreat selection of films, only two stops up the Northern Line or a 40 minute walk. Down a quiet side street full of nice bars and restaurants for before or after (or both!)
Getting Around
A 5 minute walk from the house. This will take you almost anywhere and you can be at Oxford Circus in 25 mins.
23 locals recommend
Balham station
Balham High RoadA 5 minute walk from the house. This will take you almost anywhere and you can be at Oxford Circus in 25 mins.