Clapham Common is the frequent host to fairs, fetes, festivals and fun. Not only that, but the Common is several (tens? hundreds?) of acres of green open space perfect for lounging, picnicking or sport. With areas for football, rugby and basketball courts, there’s also some water features to enjoy. Clapham Common is simply huge! One downside is that Lambeth Council does not allow barbecues or open fires, so all picnics will need to be pre-cooked.

Not the most beautiful park in London, but certainly one of the most expansive. Clapham is a great place to play sport and also a nice
place to lounge around, drink beer and sunbathe on warm summer days. There's a bunch of organized sport on clapham common (particularly between April and September). Everything from Softball & Tennis to Touch Rugby & Ultimate Frisbee. Best to look on Gumtree if you want to join a sports team in this area.

Clapham Common also plays host to a bunch of festivals and concerts all year round. The Ben & Jerry's festival is worth a go.

SPORTS TIP - Booking a tennis court on clapham common always seems really difficult. Best to head down to the courts after 7pm and book for the following weeks or months if you are a tennis enthusiast!

I think you really need to experience the Common in the summer in order to build up any enthusiasm for it - in the winter it really looks a bit gloomy and sad. Gone are the happy campers sitting on the grass drinking beer in the sun; on the other hand, there are plenty of miserable-looking runners like myself braving the weather and sliding around in the mud and the dead leaves.

Still, in the summer it's great fun. The lack of a surrounding hedge means you'll be able to spot the groups of happy beer drinkers from afar and you'll immediately want to join them, forgetting all about everything you were supposed to do that day. A happy place.

Many a sunny afternoon of my London life has been spent practising my frisbee throwing, relaxing with friends with a lovely lazy, boozy picnic and sleeping under the shade. Ok, not that many as London's summer this year wasn't outstanding, but I did spend quite a few afternoons and Sunday's at this large park, and I love it! There are two sides to this massive park, big enough to hold events such as the Ben&Jerry's festival, and the SW4 event, and on a hot day, the place was absolutely packed with bathing beauties and babes. It is a perfect place to relax before or after an outing in London, as it's so close to the tube station. It is also opposite a thriving high street fully equipped with an ice-creamery, cafe's, bars, pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and shops, which makes it perfect to slowly work into a bigger night. I'm sure it catered to a wide variety of Australians as well, considering numerous AFL matches were held here, and on Saturday mornings you can watch those game enough endure a gruelling esercise work out led by an army officer!