London may be best known for its business side and its tourist attractions, but regular visitors will know about its green spaces such as Regent’s Park, Hyde Park and Clapham Common.

Clapham Common is perhaps the least well known of these areas but it is in fact one of the most visited areas in south London. With 220 acres of open parkland for people to make use of, the Common is the perfect hangout on a sunny day.

The park centres on a bandstand. More than 120 years old, the bandstand was built in 1890 and is the oldest and largest of its kind in London. Although not in its original form, the bandstand was recently renovated to keep it suitable for modern day use and concerts are held twice weekly, with the Sunday show a spectacle that causes many locals and tourists congregate to see.

The Common also formerly housed a number of windmills – the inspiration for the name of a popular nearby pub – but nowadays these have all been removed after becoming defunct.

Clapham Common has long been a centre of meeting and back in 1790 houses were built in close proximity so people could make use of the grassland. Because of the associated class with the parkland, these houses were all lavish and accusations were made that they were unaffordable for the common man. At this time Clapham was outside London’s city boundary but as business expanded the two places grew and merged. While these extravagant houses do still exist in the area, there are many more affordable houses near the Common and estate agents Clapham will be able to help you find something that’s in your price range.

Clapham Common allows you to socialise with friends you know or to meet strangers at special occasions – whether it’s the cultural events held on certain dates throughout the year such as the yearly fireworks display held on Guy Fawkes Night. Regular events – such as an open air cinema or concerts – take place throughout the year which allow people to come for an enjoyable night out free of charge.

Because of its value to the city the park is visited regularly by both tourists and regulars and is the perfect mingling spot during the summer whether you want to play sport, have a picnic or walk your dog. Whether you can afford to visit on a daily, weekly or monthly basis or if it’s just as a one-off, Clapham Common has plenty to offer everyone in London.

Gladstone Brown is a freelance author who writes for both business and pleasure. He uses this site for both purposes and all articles should be used for information and not as pieces of advice.