View source for Balham

{{Short description|Area in south London, England}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = England
| region = London
| official_name = Balham
| coordinates = {{coord|51.4434|-0.1525|display=inline,title}}
| london_borough = Wandsworth
| constituency_westminster = [[Tooting (UK Parliament constituency)|Tooting]] and [[Battersea (UK Parliament constituency)|Battersea]]
| constituency_westminster1 = 
| constituency_westminster2 = [[Clapham and Brixton Hill (UK Parliament constituency)|Clapham and Brixton Hill]]
| post_town = LONDON
| postcode_area = SW
| postcode_district = SW12, SW4, SW17
| dial_code = 020
| os_grid_reference = TQ285735
| population = 14,751
| population_ref = (2011 Census.Ward)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13689117&c=Balham&d=14&e=62&g=6339133&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1476264450938&enc=1|title=Wandsworth Ward population 2011|access-date=12 October 2016|publisher=Office for National Statistics|work=Neighbourhood Statistics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021060052/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13689117&c=Balham&d=14&e=62&g=6339133&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1476264450938&enc=1|archive-date=21 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| charingX_distance_mi = 4.5
| charingX_direction = NNE
| static_image_name = Balham_tube_080120.jpg
| static_image_caption = Balham High Road
| london_borough1 = Lambeth
}}
'''Balham''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|æ|l|əm}}) is an [[List of areas of London|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 after the opening of Balham railway station in 1856. During World War II, Balham Underground station suffered heavy damage from [[The Blitz|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.

==History==
[[File:Wandsworth Met. B Ward Map 1916.svg|thumb|A map showing the Balham ward of Wandsworth Metropolitan Borough as it appeared in 1916.]]
The settlement appears in the ''[[Domesday Book]]'' as ''Belgeham''. Bal refers to 'rounded enclosure' and ham to a homestead, village or river enclosure. It was held by Geoffrey Orlateile. Its ''Domesday'' Assets were: {{frac|1|1|2}} [[plough]]s, {{convert|8|acre|ha|abbr=off|0|spell=on}} of [[meadow]]. It rendered (in total): £2.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/surrey1.html#balham|title=The Domesday Book Online - Surrey|website=www.domesdaybook.co.uk}}</ref>
The Balham area has been settled since [[Saxon]] times. Balham Hill and Balham High Road follow the line of the [[Roman road]] [[Stane Street (Chichester)|Stane Street]] to [[Chichester]] – (now the [[A24 road (Great Britain)|A24 road]]). Balham is recorded in several maps in the 1600s as Ballam or Balham Hill or Balham Manor. The village was within the parish of [[Streatham]]. Large country retreats for the affluent classes were built there in the 18th century; however, most development occurred after the opening of [[Balham railway station]] on the [[West End of London and Crystal Palace Railway|line to Crystal Palace]] in 1856.

===Second World War air raid===
[[File:Air Raid Damage in Britain during the Second World War HU36188.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Air raid damage in Balham]]
On 14 October 1940 [[Balham station|Balham Underground station]] was badly damaged by air raids on London during [[World War II]]. People took shelter in the tube station during the raids. A bomb fell in the High Road and through the roof of the Underground station below, bursting water and gas mains and killing around 64 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ww2today.com/14th-october-1940-disaster-at-balham-tube-station|title=14th October 1940: Disaster at Balham Tube station|work=ww2today.com}}</ref> This particular incident was featured in [[Atonement (novel)|''Atonement'']], a 2001 novel by [[Ian McEwan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2001/sep/29/ianmcewan|title=Atonement by Ian McEwan|work=The Guardian|date=29 September 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2003/mar/29/ianmcewan|title=Atonement: metanarrative|author=John Mullan|work=The Guardian|date=29 March 2003}}</ref> An image of the aftermath is of the bus, on [[London Buses route 88|route 88]], which had fallen into the bomb crater.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-20637222|title=London Blitz: Bomb Sight interactive map created|work=BBC News|date=7 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2014/may/20/second-world-war-google-street-view-nazis-paris-london-blitz|title=Second world war in Google Street View|author=Halley Docherty|work=The Guardian|date=20 May 2014}}</ref> All passengers, along with the driver and conductor, had escaped from the bus before it fell. The bus was hauled out of the crater after two weeks.<ref>{{cite book|author=Marshall, Prince (1972)|title=Wheels of London|year=1972 |publisher=The Sunday Times Magazine |isbn=0-7230-0068-9}}</ref>
[[File:Church of Saint Mary, Balham (Southeast View - 02).jpg|thumb|right|120px|St Mary and
St John the Divine church]]

===Post-war===
On the morning of 17 July 1974 a 10-pound bomb planted by the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army|Provisional IRA]] in a dustbin near Irene House (a Social Security office) and St Mary & St John the Divine Anglican Church exploded,
shattering a four-foot wall and 50 windows. No-one was hurt.<ref>{{cite news|author=<!---not stated--->|work=Belfast Telegraph|title=Bomb blasts London Ministry office block|date=17 July 1974|page=10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://southwark.anglican.org/church/balham-st-mary-st-john-the-divine/ | title=St Mary & St John the Divine }}</ref>

==Geography==
Balham is overwhelmingly in [[London Borough of Wandsworth|Wandsworth]], with only small parts in the neighbouring [[London Borough of Lambeth|Borough of Lambeth]] and encompasses the A24 north of [[Tooting Bec]] and the roads radiating off it.<ref name="teachlambeth.com">{{cite web |title=Henry Cavendish School Balham Lambeth |url=https://teachlambeth.com/school/henry-cavendish-primary-school/}}</ref> The Balham [[London SW12|SW12]] postcode includes the southern part of [[Clapham Park]] otherwise known as [[Clapham South]] and the [[Hyde farm estate|Hyde Farm]] area, both east of Cavendish Road and within [[London Borough of Lambeth|Lambeth]] (historically [[Clapham]], except for Weir Road) as well as a small detached part of Clapham south of Nightingale Lane, and part of [[Battersea]] (the roads north of Nightingale Lane). The southern part of Balham, towards Tooting Bec, near the 1930s block of [[Art Deco]] flats called [[Du Cane Court]] and the area to the south of [[Wandsworth Common]], comes under the SW17 postcode.<ref>[https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/media/12501/wbc_005_statement_of_common_ground_neighbouring_boroughs.pdf Statement of Common Ground]</ref> The Heaver Estate lies to the south of Balham in Tooting. The Estate mainly comprises substantial houses, was built in the grounds of the old Bedford Hill House and was the work of local Victorian builder, [[Alfred Heaver]].<ref>[https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/media/1609/heaver_caams_part_one.pdf Heaver Estate]</ref>

Balham is situated between four south London commons: [[Clapham Common]] to the north, [[Wandsworth Common]] to the west, Tooting Graveney Common to the south, and the adjoining Tooting Bec Common to the east – the latter two historically distinct areas are referred to by both [[London Borough of Wandsworth|Wandsworth Council]] and some local people as [[Tooting Commons|Tooting Common]].

Neighbouring areas are: [[Battersea]], [[Brixton]], [[Clapham Park]], [[Clapham South]], [[Streatham]], [[Tooting]] and [[Tooting Bec]].

==Economy==
Balham's town centre has a variety of bars, restaurants and shops including major chains. There are also local services, including independent stores, coffee houses and brasseries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://balham.com/listing/#map |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503094455/http://balham.com/listing/ |url-status = dead|archive-date=3 May 2013 |title=Listings - Balham.com |work=Balham.com }}</ref> There are two car parks serving the vicinity, one behind the Sainsbury's (181 spaces)<ref>{{cite web|title=Store Overview, Balham|url=http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/sol/storelocator/storelocator_detail_view.jsp?storeId=506&bmForm=store_details|work=Sainsbury's|access-date=25 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001134646/http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/sol/storelocator/storelocator_detail_view.jsp?storeId=506&bmForm=store_details|archive-date=1 October 2011|url-status = dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and one in front of Waitrose.

==Demography==
[[File:Polish Church Balham 180.jpg|right|thumb|upright|The Polish Roman Catholic Church of Christ the King]]
Balham is diverse both in terms of economic and cultural demographics with an increasingly professional middle class population.<ref name="demo">{{cite web|url=http://localstats.qpzm.co.uk/stats/england/london/wandsworth/balham|title=Balham Demographics (Wandsworth, England)|work=qpzm.co.uk}}</ref>

The [[Poles in the United Kingdom|Polish]] population in Balham has hugely increased since 2006, though Balham has been one of the centres of the community in London since [[World War II]]. The [[Coat of arms of Poland|White Eagle]] Club is a thriving Polish community centre, and its traditional Saturday night dance draws people from across London.<ref>{{cite web |title=White Eagle Club - Lambeth and Southwark Mind |url=https://www.lambethandsouthwarkmind.org.uk/directory/white-eagle-club/ |website=lambethandsouthwarkmind.org.uk |date=13 September 2016}}</ref> Opposite the White Eagle is The Polish Roman Catholic Church of Christ the King.<ref>{{cite web |title=Polska Parafia Chrystusa Króla w Londynie Balham |url=https://www.parafia-balham.co.uk/ |website=parafia-balham.co.uk|language=pl}}</ref>

The [[Irish people|Irish]], [[Portuguese in the United Kingdom|Portuguese]], [[Somalis in the United Kingdom|Somali]], [[British Pakistani|Pakistani]] and [[Brazilians in the United Kingdom|Brazilian]] communities are also well represented.<ref name="demo" />

==Landmarks==
{{multiple image
 | align  = right
 | direction  = vertical 
 | width = 200
 | image1 = The Bedford - geograph.org.uk - 1014297.jpg
 | caption1 = [[The Bedford, Balham|The Bedford]]
 | image2 = Du Cane Court 184.jpg
 | caption2 = [[Du Cane Court]] is a distinctive local landmark with its [[Art Deco]] design
 | image3 = Impressions of Balham Relief (Detail).jpg 
 | caption3 = ''Impressions of Balham'' 
- one of four bronze reliefs on Balham Station Road
}}
*[[The Bedford, Balham|The Bedford]] is a pub venue for live music and comedy on Bedford Hill. Performers at the Banana Cabaret have included [[Stephen K Amos]], [[Omid Djalili]], [[Harry Hill]], [[Eddie Izzard]], [[Al Murray]] and [[Catherine Tate]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bananacabaret.co.uk/about//|title=About|work=bananacabaret.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703050735/http://bananacabaret.co.uk/about// |archive-date=3 July 2018 }}</ref> Musicians who have played include [[Ed Sheeran]] and [[Sam Smith]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Live music at The Bedford in Balham, south London |url=https://thebedford.com/livemusic/ |website=The Bedford Pub London}}</ref> The pub has won various awards including the Publican Music Pub of the Year 2002; the Morning Advertiser Pub of the Year 2004; and the [[Evening Standard Pub of the Year]] 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebedford.co.uk/Content/About-Us.aspx |title=About Us |work=thebedford.co.uk |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508165630/http://www.thebedford.co.uk/Content/About-Us.aspx |archive-date=8 May 2009 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/General-News/And-the-winners-are|title=And the winners are|work=MorningAdvertiser.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406025805/http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/General-News/And-the-winners-are |archive-date=6 April 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://now-here-this.timeout.com/2014/08/30/comedians-khachapuri-and-chippies-its-balhams-best-bits/|title=Comedians, khachapuri and chippies: it's Balham's best bits|work=Time Out|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902060835/http://now-here-this.timeout.com/2014/08/30/comedians-khachapuri-and-chippies-its-balhams-best-bits/ |archive-date=2 September 2014 }}</ref> In 1876, the pub building (then named the Bedford Hotel) housed the [[coroner]]'s inquest into the notorious unsolved murder of [[Charles Bravo]], a resident and lawyer who was poisoned, possibly by his wife.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/greater-london/hauntings/the-bedford-public-house-balham.html|title=The Bedford Public House, Balham|work=mysteriousbritain.co.uk|date=29 May 2011 }}</ref> [[The Priory, Balham|The Priory]], where the alleged murder took place, is also a landmark noted for the specific architectural style.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/009baa32-fd1d-11e3-8ca9-00144feab7de.html#slide2|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210221259/https://www.ft.com/content/009baa32-fd1d-11e3-8ca9-00144feab7de#slide2|archive-date=10 December 2022|url-access=subscription|title=London's Balham: from murder mystery to haven for high-flyers|work=Financial Times|date=4 July 2014|last1=Stephens|first1=Philip|access-date=1 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
*The Bedford Hill area of Balham was associated with [[street prostitution]] throughout the 1970s and '80s. A project was organised for the matter in the late 2000s and since then has no longer been an issue for residents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/wandsworthnews/8311453.Prostitution_clampdown_hailed_a_success/|title=Prostitution clampdown hailed a success|work=Your Local Guardian|date=6 August 2010|first=Eleanor|last=Harding }}</ref>
*[[Du Cane Court]] was the largest block of flats in Europe built for private occupation rather than as social housing at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ducanecourt.com|title=Du Cane Court » Balham High Road » London » SW17|work=ducanecourt.com}}</ref> Its 676 flats range from studios up to 4-bedroom penthouses. The block has had a number of notable residents, including comedian [[Tommy Trinder]] and actress Dame [[Margaret Rutherford]]. Scenes from [[Agatha Christie's Poirot]] were filmed in the building.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ducanecourt.com/design.html|title=Du Cane Court » Balham High Road » London » SW17|work=ducanecourt.com|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914160429/http://www.ducanecourt.com/design.html|archive-date=14 September 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvlocations.net/plymouthexpress.htm|title=On Location with Poirot - The Plymouth Express|work=tvlocations.net}}</ref>
*[[Oak Lodge School]] is a secondary school for deaf children aged 11 to 19. It accepts pupils from all over London.
* ''Impressions of Balham'' are four cold cast bronze reliefs mounted on a high brick wall on Balham Station Road. These depict local residents and everyday scenes. They were conceived and constructed by Christine Thomas and Julia Barton and installed in 1991.<ref>{{cite web |title=Impressions of Balham |url=https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/impressions-of-balham-301817 |website=artuk.org |publisher=Art UK |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Impressions of Balham |url=http://www.shadyoldlady.com/location/2944 |website=shadyoldlady.com}}</ref>
*Balham has its own library and leisure centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.placesleisure.org/centres/balham-leisure-centre/|title=Balham Leisure Centre|work=placesforpeopleleisure.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.better.org.uk/library/london/wandsworth/balham-library# |title=Balham Library - Wandsworth - Better Libraries}}</ref>
*The UK's first pedestrian diagonal [[pedestrian scramble|X-crossing]] was installed at the intersection of Balham High Road, with Balham Station Road and Chestnut Grove in 2005.  This was later adopted at [[Oxford Circus]] in 2009 which was the second X-crossing in the UK.<ref>[http://ww3.wandsworth.gov.uk/moderngov/(S(jpfrmg55o3e5ic45yryvmt55))/Data/Regeneration%20and%20Transport%20Overview%20and%20Scrutiny%20Committee/20020611/Agenda/(Paper%20No.%2002-475).pdf Wandsworth Borough Council "Regeneration and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee" Report 2002] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907031024/http://ww3.wandsworth.gov.uk/moderngov/%28S%28jpfrmg55o3e5ic45yryvmt55%29%29/Data/Regeneration%20and%20Transport%20Overview%20and%20Scrutiny%20Committee/20020611/Agenda/%28Paper%20No.%2002-475%29.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907031024/http://ww3.wandsworth.gov.uk/moderngov/(S(jpfrmg55o3e5ic45yryvmt55))/Data/Regeneration%20and%20Transport%20Overview%20and%20Scrutiny%20Committee/20020611/Agenda/(Paper%20No.%2002-475).pdf |archive-date=2014-09-07 |url-status=live |date=7 September 2014 }}</ref><ref>[http://ww3.wandsworth.gov.uk/moderngov/(S(jpfrmg55o3e5ic45yryvmt55))/Data/Regeneration%20and%20Transport%20Overview%20and%20Scrutiny%20Committee/20050907/Agenda/$Bedford%20Hill%20(Paper%20No.%2005-685).doc.pdf Wandsworth Borough Council "Regeneration and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee" Report 2005] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907030652/http://ww3.wandsworth.gov.uk/moderngov/%28S%28jpfrmg55o3e5ic45yryvmt55%29%29/Data/Regeneration%20and%20Transport%20Overview%20and%20Scrutiny%20Committee/20050907/Agenda/%24Bedford%20Hill%20%28Paper%20No.%2005-685%29.doc.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907030652/http://ww3.wandsworth.gov.uk/moderngov/(S(jpfrmg55o3e5ic45yryvmt55))/Data/Regeneration%20and%20Transport%20Overview%20and%20Scrutiny%20Committee/20050907/Agenda/$Bedford%20Hill%20(Paper%20No.%2005-685).doc.pdf |archive-date=2014-09-07 |url-status=live |date=7 September 2014 }}</ref>
*The world's first "intelligent" pedestrian crossings have also been trialled at [[Balham station]] (including [[Tooting Bec tube station|Tooting Bec]]).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-26480686|title='Intelligent' pedestrian crossings trialled in London|work=BBC News|date=7 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2014/march/tfl-to-launch-worldleading-trials-of-intelligent-pedestrian-technology-to-make-crossing-the-road-easier-and-safer|title=TfL to launch world-leading trials of intelligent pedestrian technology to make crossing the road easier and safer|author=Transport for London |work=tfl.gov.uk}}</ref>
*The prominent [[neon sign]] "Roberts for Ekcovision" installed by a former electrical shop in the 1950s on Bedford Hill was restored in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Restored and brightly lit 'Roberts for Ekcovision' neon sign shines light on a piece of Balham history |url=https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/news/news-december-2022/restored-and-brightly-lit-roberts-for-ekcovision-neon-sign-shines-light-on-a-piece-of-balham-history/ |work=Wandsworth Borough Council|date=14 December 2022|language=en-gb}}</ref><ref name="HOLT">{{cite web |title=Roberts for Ekcovision Sign |url=https://www.heritageoflondon.org/projects/roberts-for-ekcovision-sign |work=Heritage of London Trust|language=en}}</ref>{{efn|The Roberts store rented out the "Ekcovision" brand of [[television sets]] manufactured by the British electronics company E. K. Cole Ltd (aka [[EKCO]]).<ref>{{cite web |title='Ekcovision' TMB272 mains/battery portable television, 1956 {{!}} Science Museum Group Collection |url=https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co34474/ekcovision-tmb272-mains-battery-portable-television-1956-television-receiver |website=sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk |language=en}}</ref> The advertisement was proposed for the shop by EKCO and is positioned to be viewed by passengers on mainline trains passing through Balham station.<ref name="HOLT" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Balham, Roberts Ekcovision advertisement, from the station - geograph.org.uk - Wikimedia Commons |url=https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Balham,_Roberts_Ekcovision_advertisement,_from_the_station_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2502553.jpg |website=commons.wikimedia.org |language=en}}</ref>}}
{{CSS image crop
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|bSize         = 500
|cWidth        = 330
|cHeight       = 110
|oTop = 20
|oLeft = 60
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|Description = Original "Roberts for Ekcovision" neon sign on Bedford Hill (c.1985)}}

==Transport==
{{multiple image
 | width = 170
 | image1 = Southern 377626, Balham (13991902963).jpg
 | caption1 = National Rail
 | image2 = Balham tube stn southbound look north.jpg
 | caption2 = London Underground
 }}
[[Balham station]] is an interchange between [[National Rail]] and [[London Underground]] services, in [[Travelcard Zone 3|London fare zone 3]]. The stations connect Balham to both the [[City of London]] and the [[West End of London|West End]]. Balham Underground station is on the [[Northern Line]].

[[Clapham South tube station|Clapham South Underground station]] is also technically in Balham, lying exactly at the meeting point of [[Clapham]], [[Battersea]] and Balham.<ref>{{NHLE |desc=Clapham South Station (Including above ground station building and sub surface platforms and passages) |num=1266140 |accessdate=5 February 2023}}</ref>

Current bus routes serving the area are the [[London Buses route 155|155]], [[London Buses route 249|249]], [[London Buses route 255|255]], [[London Buses route 315|315]], [[London Buses route 355|355]] and [[London Buses route N155|N155]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Balham Station Travel Information |url=https://assets.nationalrail.co.uk/e8xgegruud3g/6AMdHfIYdI3hQWKH7OsT7K/9e195bfb79c5ee93a0155d9149ad6359/Balham__BAL__OTI.pdf}}</ref>

==Notable people born in Balham==
*[[John Marco Allegro]], archaeologist.<ref>{{cite book|author=Weston W. Fields|title=The Dead Sea Scrolls, A Full History|publisher=Brill|location=Leiden|year=2009|volume=1|isbn=978-9004175815|page=211}}</ref>
*[[Ray Cattouse]], former British lightweight boxing champion.
*[[Gail Elliott]], fashion designer and former model.<ref>{{cite web |last=Porter |first=Zoë |title=Gail Elliot. The Beauty from Balham |url=https://thenationaltreasuresseries.com/2014/05/06/gail-elliot-the-beauty-from-balham/ |website=The National Treasures Series |language=en |date=6 May 2014}}</ref>
*[[Percy Fender]] (1892) Surrey cricket captain, world record holder and England Test all rounder.<ref>{{cite book |last = Streeton |first = Richard |title = P. G. H. Fender: A Biography |publisher = Faber & Faber |year = 1981 |location= London |isbn = 0-571-11635-3|page=32–33.}}</ref>
*[[Fred Again]], singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and remixer.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sound Of 2023: Fred Again's emotive electronica earns second place |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64051684 |work=BBC News |date=4 January 2023}}</ref>
*[[Mel Gaynor]], musician, drummer of the rock band [[Simple Minds]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mel Gaynor |url=https://drummercafe.com/featured/drummer-percussionist/mel-gaynor |website=drummercafe.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>
*[[Jimmy Hill]], English footballer, manager and broadcaster.<ref>{{cite news |last=Williams |first=Richard |title=Jimmy Hill obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/dec/19/jimmy-hill |work=The Guardian |date=19 December 2015}}</ref>
*[[Lisa Knapp]], folk singer and musician.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lisa Knapp music, videos, stats, and photos |url=https://www.last.fm/music/Lisa+Knapp |website=Last.fm |language=en |date=8 December 2024}}</ref>
*[[Alan Knight (footballer, born 1961)|Alan Knight]], footballer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alan Knight {{!}} Football Stats {{!}} Soccer Base |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=4253 |website=www.soccerbase.com}}</ref>
*[[Jamie Lawrence (footballer, born 1970)|Jamie Lawrence]], footballer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jamie Lawrence - Margate FC Players History |url=https://www.margatefootballclubhistory.com/players-profile/?profile=828&player=Jamie_Lawrence |website=www.margatefootballclubhistory.com}}</ref>
*[[Eric Maxon]], Shakespearean and early film actor.<ref>[https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7814/SRYRG13_669_670-0484?pid=5070238&backurl=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv%3D1%26dbid%3D7814%26h%3D5070238%26tid%3D%26pid%3D%26usePUB%3Dtrue%26_phsrc%3Ddjv2147%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=djv2147&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&_ga=2.164478271.105825090.1574801182-1722705520.1534682038 1901 England Census for Eric Mackay – Surrey, East Molesey, District 10 – Ancestry.com {{subscription required}}]</ref>
*[[Hannah New]], who starred as Eleanor Guthrie in the TV series ''[[Black Sails (TV series)|Black Sails]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Large |first=Amber-Louise |title=Fiery new character joins season three Bridgerton line-up |url=https://www.mylondon.news/news/tv/bridgerton-balham-actress-play-fiery-25298391 |work=My London |date=19 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Margaret Rutherford]], actress.<ref>{{cite web |title=Margaret Rutherford {{!}} Actress {{!}} Blue Plaques |url=https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/margaret-rutherford/ |website=English Heritage}}</ref>
*[[Captain Sensible]], singer and musician.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|first=Colin|last=Larkin|date=27 May 2011|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=9780857125958|access-date=9 June 2016|via=Google Books}}</ref>
*[[John Sullivan (writer)|John Sullivan]], writer of ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/lovely-jubbly-john-1282831.html|title=Lovely jubbly, John|first=Tim |last=Minogue|date=12 January 1997|website=The Independent}}</ref>

==Notable people who used to work, study or live in Balham==
*[[Adele]], singer and songwriter, attended Chestnut Grove School.<ref>{{cite web|title=Grammy Winner Adele inspires Chesnut Grove students|url=http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/wandsworthnews/9542955.Grammy_winner_Adele_inspires_Chesnut_Grove_students/|work=Local Guardian|date=21 February 2012 |access-date=28 January 2014}}</ref>
*[[Bob and Margaret]], cartoon characters, are former residents.<ref>{{cite web |title=BFI Screenonline: Snowden, Alison (1958-) and Fine, David (1960-) Biography |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1296729/index.html |website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref>
*[[Peter Baynham]], screenwriter, is a former resident with Richard Herring.<ref>{{cite web |last=Guide |first=British Comedy |title=RHLSTP 466 - Peter Baynham - RHLSTP with Richard Herring |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/rhlstp-466-peter-baynham/ |website=British Comedy Guide |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Friday 21st July 2017 {{!}} Warming Up |url=https://www.richardherring.com/warmingup/email/11197/friday_21st_july_2017.html |website=www.richardherring.com}}</ref>
*[[Sarah Beeny]], property developer, businesswoman and broadcaster is a former resident of Balham.<ref name=BoomBal>{{cite news | title= Booming Balham | date= 12 January 2004 | url=https://www.standard.co.uk/home/booming-balham-7227965.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/help-sarah-beeny-wants-to-dig-a-mega-basement-near-us-8596907.htm|title=Help! Sarah Beeny wants to dig a 'mega basement' near us}}</ref>
*[[Marcus Brigstocke]], comedian and actor with Rachel Parris.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rees |first=Caroline |title=Marcus Brigstocke: 'I've found my chameleon dangling off the curtains a few times' |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/property-home/article/marcus-brigstocke-ive-found-my-chameleon-dangling-off-the-curtains-a-few-times-gffv0wdm7 |work=[[The Times]] |date=20 May 2022}}</ref>
*[[Jon Craig]], journalist.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://twitter.com/joncraig/status/538050853941542912|title=Learned at & after Spectator awards that lobby chums Michael Crick & Andrew Rawnsley are Balham neighbours. What a media enclave we are!|last=Craig|first=Jon |website=[[Twitter]]|date=27 November 2014}}</ref>
*[[Jack Dee]], comedian, actor, writer and producer is a former resident of Balham.<ref name=BoomBal /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/jack-on-jack-when-dee-met-whitehall-8986491.html|title=Jack on Jack: When Dee met Whitehall|work=The Evening Standard|date=6 December 2013}}</ref>
*[[Gracie Fields]], actress, singer and comedian was a former resident.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://graciefields.org/wordpress/149-high-road-balham/|title=149 High Road, Balham|work=The Official Gracie Fields}}</ref>
*[[Ainsley Harriott]], TV chef.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bloodworth |first=Adam |title=Ainsley Harriott: TV freed me from racist London restaurants |url=https://www.cityam.com/ainsley-harriott-tv-freed-me-from-racist-london-kitchens/#:~:text=Growing%20up%20in%20Balham%2C%20south,know%20me%20for%20the%20memes.|work=City AM |date=1 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Viner |first=Brian |title=Ainsley takes Manhattan!|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/ainsley-takes-manhattan-283930.html |work=The Independent|date=24 March 2000}}</ref>
*[[Richard Herring]], comedian and writer, is a former resident with Peter Baynham.
*[[Stewart Lee]], comedian and writer, is a former resident.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Stewart |title=Stewart Lee: my life on the shelf |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2010/aug/01/stewart-lee-collecting-comics-stand-up |work=The Guardian |date=31 July 2010}}</ref>
*[[Malcolm McLaren]], band manager, musician and entrepreneur, was a former resident with Vivienne Westwood.
*[[Rachel Parris]], comedian, musician and actress with Marcus Brigstocke.
*[[DBC Pierre]], novelist, is a former resident.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/aug/22/dbc-pierre-lights-wonderland-interview|title=DBC Pierre: 'I'm not a satirist. Reality has surpassed satire'|first=Sean|last=O'Hagan|date=21 August 2010|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
*[[Arthur Smith (comedian)|Arthur Smith]], comedian.<ref name="DCC">{{cite news |title=Du Cane Court, in Balham, could have been Adolf Hitler's Nazi headquarters during Second World War, it's rumoured |url=https://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/news/15563720.du-cane-court-in-balham-could-have-been-adolf-hitlers-nazi-headquarters-during-second-world-war-its-rumoured/ |work=Wandsworth Times |date=28 September 2017 |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Tommy Trinder]], comedian and former chairman of [[Fulham Football Club]], was a former resident.<ref name="DCC" />
*[[Vivienne Westwood]], fashion designer and businesswoman was a former resident with Malcolm McLaren.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/westwood-opposes-plan-to-build-flats-on-roof-of-her-old-home-6832904.html|title=Westwood opposes plan to build flats on roof of her old home|work=The Evening Standard|date=13 April 2012}}</ref>

=="Balham, Gateway to the South"==
For many years Balham was held up to mockery because of the [[comedy sketch]] "[[Balham, Gateway to the South]]".  Written by [[Frank Muir]] and [[Denis Norden]], with [[Peter Sellers]] as the narrator, it satirised the [[travelogue (films)|travelogues]] of the day, with their faraway exotic locations, by highlighting the supposed tourist attractions of Balham in postwar austerity Britain.  The title's origin most probably alludes to a [[Southern Railway (UK)|Southern Railway]] poster "Gateway to the Continent" dating from 1928 by T D Kerr.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southernposters.co.uk/Continental/gateway-southern.html|title=Gateway - Southern Posters|work=southernposters.co.uk}}</ref> In 1979 [[Micky Dolenz]] of the [[Monkees]] directed a short film based on the sketch with [[Robbie Coltrane]] playing multiple roles. It was released for broadcast in 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6f14cb15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810120403/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b6f14cb15|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-08-10|title=Balham: Gateway to the South (1979)|work=BFI}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvcream.co.uk/?p=3764|title=Balham - Gateway to the South|work=tvcream.co.uk|date=6 May 2009|access-date=9 June 2016}}</ref> The mockery reduced as Balham house prices soared.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Mount|first=Harry|title=Neighbourhood Watch|magazine= Spectator Life|date= 21 June 2014|publisher= Spectator (1828) Ltd}}</ref>

==Balham Group==

In 1932, the Balham Group, the first British [[Trotskyism|Trotskyist]] group, was expelled from the [[Communist Party of Great Britain]] and formed the [[Communist League (UK, 1932)|Communist League]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Martin Upham: History of British Trotskyism (Chap.3) |url=https://www.marxists.org/history/etol/revhist/upham/03upham.html |website=marxists.org}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Wandsworth Radio]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Balham, London}}
* {{OpenDomesday|TQ2873|balham|Balham}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ewUOSlRDkk Balham, Gateway to the South] (film version).

{{LB Wandsworth}}
{{LB Lambeth}}

{{Pubs in London}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Balham| ]]
[[Category:Areas of London]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Wandsworth]]
[[Category:Districts of the London Borough of Lambeth]]
[[Category:District centres of London]]