Londoners: tell me about Clapham

[franch]

Currently living in Islington but need somewhere bigger - we may move locally but DH's family are in S London so it suddenly occurred to us that Clapham might be a good move. I'm a confirmed Islingtonian but don't know Clapham at all really so have a totally open mind and would love to hear opinions - particularly if you know both areas and can compare.

Interested in the usual stuff: family-friendly places; things to do with a baby and toddler; schools (including private); entertainment, eating out etc. What are the most desirable/convenient areas?

Also, baby no. 2 is due in Sept - if we're in Clapham by then, what are the local hospitals and midwifery teams like? (I'm going for a homebirth.)

Thanks

How about Herne Hill? 10 mins from Clapham, still zone 2, great houses and cheaper than Clapham too. Also got King's College down the road with one of the highest home birth rates in the country. Good primary state schools but not a lot in the way of secondary schools (at the moment). Wonderful Brockwell Park too!

I think the Abbeville Village area of Clapham is great - its that village in a city type feel - close to common/tube and loads of buses. Herne Hill is a good suggestion, but you have to deal with no tube only buses and overground but there are good schools in that area. HTH Plus Clapham has more restaurants, stuff to do that Herne Hill IMO

hat about Balham? I'm in Balham, just a bit further down the Northern line and we LOVE it here. Not sure about schools although there seem to be a couple of reasonable primaries but great bars and restaurants, Mainline station (into Victoria) as well as tube, v.close to Wandsworth Common, good leisure centre and library. I will be heartbroken when we have to move but with baby no.1 on the way in September we can't afford to buy a bigger place.

I think Clapham scores v highly on restaurants, bars, Clapham Picture House, v good state primaries - (Clapham Manor and Bonneville for e.g,) and there seem to be a wealth of popular private schools in the area too - but more around Dulwich. Good good state secondaries are just over the border in Wansworth -or 2 good ones in Streatham - Graveny and Dunraven - but you have to live close. Loads of access to children's activities, pool and sports centre, library etc etc.

Between Brixton and Herne Hill (Poet's corner!) and Herne Hill itself are v up and coming, loads of arts and media folk (with children), restaurants (more open every month), and poised midway between the Thameslink line to the City etc, and the Victoria line. I like Brockwell Park better than Clapham Common (it's hilly). Also walking distance to The Ritzy, the Lido - with a centre which runs children's activities - and all cheaper than Clapham.