London villages: Clapham Old Town
Another day, another London village.
Clapham might not be known for its village-y feel as much as it is for it’s party reputation (Infernos, anyone?) but if you delve a little deeper, you’ll find a selection of streets by Clapham Common that are as cute as a button and full of little shops, pubs and restaurants to choose from.
Clapham Old Town especially comes alive during sunny days – all (well, most) of the restaurants have outdoor seating, and on a nice warm day you can’t find a better people watching spot than these little tables on the pavement, overlooking the common. All the pubs here have beer gardens or terraces, too, which makes me a very happy girl indeed!
Read on for my suggestion on what to do and where to eat & drink in Clapham Old Town – I’d love to hear your suggestions too if you think I’ve left something out!
EATING OUT
The Dairy – A little seasonal restaurant just by Clapham Common station. I frequently hear amazing things about this place but sadly haven’t been there yet!
No 32 Old Town – A sister restaurant of No 29 Power Station West in Battersea serving everything from brunch to dinner in a very pretty setting. They also have a rooftop terrace which I personally think is the best part about the whole place!
Minnow – Possibly the prettiest brunch place in Clapham. The Londoner wrote a review of this place recently and I’m now dying to go!
Tart – A cute little cafe specialising in different kind of tarts, which they also sell as a takeaway option in their bespoke picnic baskets that you can take with you to the nearby common!
DRINKING
The Sun – A lovely pub with a lot of history – it’s housed in an former butcher’s shop. They have one of the best beer garden’s in Clapham and also have a decent pub grub menu, so head here on a sunny day for a few drinks and a burger!
The Rose and Crown – A typical, old fashioned English pub with lots of tables and seats on the Old Town square for those summery days
Prince of Wales – A craft beer pub serving lots of locally crafted beers and ciders by different London breweries. They also have a few tables outside on the square which is worth keeping in mind when you’re looking for that beer garden!
SHOPPING & THINGS TO DO
A picnic on the common – Clapham Common is one of my favourite places in London for a picnic – it’s always full of people (but not too full!) and it’s close enough to lots of pubs and other amenities if you need to use the toilet/run out of drinks
Stroll around the Old Town – Clapham, and the Old Town especially, is full of beautiful architecture and ALL the cute houses to drool after. I love walking in the main street and people watch, but I also love straying into the side streets where it’s a bit quieter and feels more local.
Wandsworth Oasis Charity Shop – An *amazing* charity shop just by The Sun pub in the Old Town square. Divided into four rooms and two floors, there’s so much to choose from clothes to DVD:s, books & locally made art.
More London villages:
Dulwich Village
Marylebone Village
Blackheath Village
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