Esoteric London

Balham Station Road, London, SW12. Photo © Roger Dean 2010

The Suburban Homes of London – William Spencer Clarke, 1881:

Balham is not a parish in itself, and, like many other suburban neighbourhoods which have grown up since London began to live out of town, it is difficult to say where it begins and where it ends. Perhaps its situation is best described in the language of the geographer, as it is bounded on the north by Clapham Common, on the west by Wandsworth Common, and on the east and south by Tooting Common. It is thus peculiarly favoured with the possession of what is known as ‘open spaces;’ and including also a very fair share of well-wooded land yet unbuilt upon, it should be, and doubtless is, one of the healthiest spots in the suburbs of South London.

Balham has very little antiquity, and no history worth speaking about.

[ The image above is a detail from one of four bronze resin reliefs called ” Impressions of Balham” set in the wall along Balham Station Road. They were executed by Julia Barton and Christine Thomas in 1991. R.D.]