Balham is a neighbourhood in South London. 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.
In October 1940 Balham underground station was hit by a bomb that burst a water main. Sixty-four people drowned. This story was never released until after the war, because many people sheltered from air raids in underground stations. If they had found out what had happened there might well have been panic.
Balham is notable for Bal-ham, Gateway to the South – This is a line in a celebrated sketch made famous by Peter Sellers. The Bedford Hill area of Balham was associated with street prostitution throughout the seventies and eighties.
Balham Leisure Centre offers Swimming, squash, gym, spinning classes, children’s activities, over 50’s activities, yoga classes, aqua classes, child care, swimming lessons, sunbeds and workout classes.
See also Collierswood.co.uk and claphamjunction.co.uk and tootingbroadway.co.uk