Clapham Common needs YOU
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Clapham Common needs YOU -
Working Together.
For Nature.
For Community.
For Clapham Common.
Clapham Common lies at the heart of our community, a cherished green space offering a sanctuary for both wildlife and the local community.
The Common has existed for nearly 1,000 years, but the pressures on its character today are immense. The Friends of Clapham Common, a registered charity, is an active environmental organisation of over 900 members who work to protect and improve the biodiversity of the Common.
Proudly working together
Protecting and restoring the biodiversity of Clapham Common
WHAT WE DO
Guided by ecology experts, the Friends work to create diverse habitat on the Common for wildlife to include wildflower meadows, islands of scrub, wetlands and areas of long grasses as well as planting trees and hedges. Our aim is to provide a balance between areas of recreation for the public and habitat for wildlife.
Engaging with the local community
The Friends organise events such as an Easter Treasure Trail and an Autumn Pumpkin Patch to provide family fun and raise funds for projects on the Common. We also work with local schools to encourage children to explore the Common and learn about nature. The Friends relies on a large and diverse group of volunteers to support our efforts in litter picking, mulching, hedge planting, watering and running our family fun events. We offer opportunities for Duke of Edinburgh students to fulfil their volunteering commitments.
We work with Lambeth Borough Council, who manage the Common, to ensure that there is a balance between commercial events and free access to the Common for the general public.
GET INVOLVED
How you can help…
Become a Friend
We are lucky to have Clapham Common at the heart of our community, but it takes a team effort to keep it looking great!
Join us to become a member to receive our news and support our work.
Community Watering
No, it’s not beer! If you’ve ever wondered what’s in those barrels, it’s water being delivered by our volunteers to keep the Common’s shrubs and trees hydrated duringthe hot summer months.
To find out more and take part, email the Friends.
Litter Picking Days
Meeting at the Bandstand on the first Saturday of every month everyone comes together for a morning of litter picking fun! Bring the whole family, help to clean up the Common and enjoy a sweet treat, courtesy of Lockdown Bakehouse as a reward. Equipment is provided. Come along!
ACHIEVEMENTS
The Wetlands at Clapham Common
With our partners Wild Clapham this has to be the greatest of our achievements, a wetland habitat so vital for nature that provides access to all. It also provides a wonderful educational tool for local schools, enabling children and members of the public to observe nature up close without creating any disturbance to a habitat that is fenced around for protection. The drought, through the whole of spring and summer 2025, severely delayed the growth of plants, but then we were rewarded with wildflowers as late as November. It will be fascinating to see which oxygenating plants reappear and to watch the surrounding landscape evolve as we come in to spring this year.
We hope you’ll enjoy this short film produced by Ieva and Simon Ball which tells you more about the construction process, our partners for the project and the wildlife that is already moving in.
We give thanks to our major donors - The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Mayor of London ‘Rewild London’ Fund and the Consano Earth Fund and to everyone who contributed to allow us to bring this project to fruition.
SUPPORT
Help us protect and improve the common now and for future generations
Clapham Common lies at the heart of our community, a cherished green space offering a sanctuary for both wildlife and community activities.
FOLLOW US
Keep up to date with our latest news
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Come along and do something great for your local space - and if that’s not enough, there’s free @lockdownbakehouselondon treats for all litter pickers!
📍Meet at the Bandstand anytime between 11am and 12.15pm to collect your litter picking equipment
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This is a popular event with local families, suited to young children. There are 3 sessions of 250-300 children with accompanying adults. We collaborate with Eden Camp and Northcote Art School for entertainment and arts and crafts. We have bouncy castles, photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, easter eggs for the children, a potting shed, face painting (at an extra cost) and a bake sale. Tickets on sale shortly.
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Come along and do something great for your local space - and if that’s not enough, there’s free @lockdownbakehouselondon treats for all litter pickers!
📍Meet at the Bandstand anytime between 11am and 12.15pm to collect your litter picking equipment
Clapham Common needs YOU
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Clapham Common needs YOU -
GET INVOLVED
Upcoming events
SUPPORT
Clapham Common needs YOU!
Help us protect and improve the common for everyone for years to come.
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![Close-up of a smiling woman with curly hair, wearing glasses, hoop earrings, and layered necklaces, indoors.]()
I love to feel part of the community and it feels great to help our beautiful common.
Laurie Payton
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![A man with curly dark hair, glasses, and facial hair looking slightly to the side, sitting indoors near a plant and a wall.]()
The Common is the center of our community and I'm happy to help it thrive.
Jamie Kokot
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![A young woman with short black hair smiling in a greenhouse or botanical garden, surrounded by green plants and ferns, wearing a blue top.]()
We've taken part in a few events now and its always fun, the kids love it too.
Lindsey Beumer
Planting a tree on Clapham Common is a meaningful way to celebrate the life of a loved one or mark a special occasion. Memorial trees create a living tribute that will grow and flourish for years to come, while also contributing to the health and biodiversity of the Common.
Each tree provides valuable habitat for wildlife and enhances this green space for everyone to enjoy.
If you would like to arrange a memorial tree or give one as a gift, please get in touch to find out more.
MEMORIAL TREES
A lasting way to remember someone special
GET ACTIVE
Recreation on the Common
there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
We would love to hear from you
If you have any questions please drop us a message below and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
CONTACT US
