museum
Tate Britain
The world's greatest collection of British art from 1500 to today, including the definitive Turner collection.
5 km · about 10 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomEngland
Balham
England, United Kingdom · Europe
About Balham
Balham works well as a base: 6km from Westminster Abbey.
Balham is in England, United Kingdom, with about 15,000 people. You drive on the left here.
Balham () is an area in south-west London, England, in the London Borough of Wandsworth, with small parts extending into the neighbouring London Borough of Lambeth. It has been settled since Saxon times and appears in the Domesday Book as Belgeham.
The area saw significant development following the opening of BalhamRead more
railway station in 1856. During World War II, Balham Underground station suffered heavy damage from air raids, killing around 64 people. In 1974, a bomb planted by the Provisional IRA exploded near government buildings in the area.
Balham is between four south London commons. The town centre features a variety of bars, restaurants, and shops, and the area is economically and culturally diverse. The Polish, Irish, Portuguese, Somali, Pakistani, and Brazilian communities are well-represented in Balham.
Notable landmarks in the area include the Bedford, a pub venue for live music and comedy, the distinctive Art Deco-designed Du Cane Court, and the Oak Lodge School for deaf children. Balham has its own library and leisure centre and was the site of the UK's first pedestrian diagonal X-crossing. Balham station serves as an interchange between National Rail and London Underground services.
Where to Stay in Balham
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Explore the Area
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Balham?
Within an hour or so of Balham: Tate Britain (5 km), Victoria and Albert Museum (5 km), SIS Building, Vauxhall Cross (MI6 headquarters) (5 km), Westminster Abbey (6 km).
Are there any good drives near Balham?
The nearest famous roads are Crystal Palace Circuit, Goodwood Festival of Speed and Rhinefield Ornamental Drive.
Where is Balham?
Balham is in England, United Kingdom.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 14,751
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- England
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 51.4496, -0.1510
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Balham
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
museum
Victoria and Albert Museum
The world's largest museum of applied and decorative arts and design, spanning 5,000 years of human creativity.
5 km · about 10 min drive
film location
SIS Building, Vauxhall Cross (MI6 headquarters)
The real MI6 headquarters on the Thames has appeared as itself since GoldenEye, and is spectacularly blown up in Skyfall.
5 km · about 10 min drive
cathedral
Westminster Abbey
Gothic abbey church and traditional coronation site of British monarchs since 1066.
6 km · about 10 min drive
museum
Science Museum London
Home to pioneering scientific achievements including Stephenson's Rocket and the Apollo 10 command module.
6 km · about 10 min drive
museum
Natural History Museum
World-renowned museum in a stunning Romanesque terracotta building, housing 80 million specimens spanning 4.5 billion years of life on Earth.
6 km · about 10 min drive
landmark
Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower)
London's iconic clock tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, a symbol of British parliamentary democracy.
6 km · about 10 min drive
landmark
Buckingham Palace
The official London residence of the British monarch, famous for the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
6 km · about 10 min drive
Driving roads near Balham
4 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.
- Right hereCrystal Palace CircuitA parkland racing circuit in south London that ran until 1972 and still hosts occasional sprint events. Sections of the old track survive as park roads and footpaths, complete with original kerbing among the Victorian terraces.
- 25 kmBox HillA steep chalk escarpment above the Mole valley, the Zig Zag Road on its flank made famous by the 2012 Olympic road race.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
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