Abbeville Road

It's South Clapham's best kept secret. Nicknamed “Abbeville Village”, there’s a real community atmosphere here, which is why it’s so popular with families.

Tucked well away from busy roads and just a few minutes’ walk from Clapham South underground station, you’ll find a neat parade of traditional shops that extends into a residential street of attractive Victorian houses, with brick facades and stucco detailing around the doors and windows. Abbeville Road lies close to the route of the Roman road once known as Stane Street. It stretches from the A205 in the south to Clapham Park Road in the north, running parallel to Clapham Common Southside. Up to the 1870s the area was mainly rural, although there were many fine manor houses here, owned by rich Londoners escaping the noise and dirt of the city. When the railways arrived in 1863 the commute between Clapham and central London became much easier, and during the last three decades of the 19th century Abbeville Road and its surrounding streets were developed to provide homes for the middle classes.

Shopping and Leisure

Although the main shopping parade is located in a small area between Bonneville Gardens and Hambalt Road, this is the beating heart of the area, where you’ll find delicatessens, bakers, supermarkets, gift shops and fashion boutiques, newsagents, beauty salons and barbers, not to mention a good sprinkling of cafes, restaurants and gastro pubs. A street fete takes place here each year, with stalls, a barbecue and live music.

There are additional shops outside Clapham South Tube station, including a Marks and Spencers, a florist and a traditional fishmonger. Just across the road there’s a large Tesco store, frequented by homeward bound commuters.

Clapham Common is a magnet for anyone wanting to keep fit, whether they are running, playing tennis or football or simply enjoying a walk. It’s also a great destination for leisure activities. A traditional fair pitches up on the Common every summer and a number of small festivals are held here over the summer months.

Nights out around Clapham High Street and in the bars close to Clapham South station tend to attract the young and lively, but there’s a much more relaxed vibe in Abbeville Road. Choose from The Abbeville, a quiet gastropub with a modern British menu, Bistro Union or La Bonne Heure, which serves French cuisine.

Transport connections

Abbeville Road’s nearest tube station is on the Northern Line, which connects to the West End and City. From Clapham South you can reach Leicester Square in 18 minutes and Bank underground station in 17 minutes. Bus routes include the 155, 249, 255 and 355. A night bus, N155, goes to Covent Garden.

In brief

If you want to live on a street with an intimate, villagey vibe that’s well connected to central London, Abbeville Road is definitely for you. At Winchester White we specialise in south west London’s hidden rental property gems, so if you’re looking for a house to let in Abbeville Road, call our Battersea office today and speak to our friendly lettings staff.