The area has undergone a lot of changes in the last ten years. There are now many estate agents in the area offering a wide selection of flats to rent or buy. Houses large and small are also offered to let or to purchase.
The renting market is currently strong, and stretches from Battersea Park in the North to Clapham Common in the South East.
The most famous landmark in Clapham Junction for going out is undoubtedly the Clapham Grand.
It was originally opened in 1900 as a theatre, but its unique, rich decor has been preserved and recently renovated to give the venue a touch of splendour with ornate ceilings and VIP gold boxes. It is now a exciting venue spread over three floors and is perfect for live acts, corporate entertainment and private functions.
Other venues include the Battersea Arts Centre, which delivers tomorrow’s theatre for today’s audiences.
A comedy club, Jongleurs, offers a change for a refreshingly different night out.
The main shopping areas are St. John’s Hill and St. John’s Road. At the main centre is the department store Arding and Hobbs (Allders). Allders went into liquidation at the start of 2005 and Arding and Hobbs is now part of the Debenhams chain. The cupola is illuminated at night. There is a lively and popular street market in Northcote Road.
Clapham Junction Post Office
Lavender Hill is the location of the public buildings, such as the Town Hall, police station and magistrates court and the post office. In times past, entertainment was also provided in the shape of a theatre and a cinema. Now Lavender Hill is home to Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) which has played host to many stars of television and theatre.
Clapham Junction railway station is located at St John’s Hill in the south-west of Battersea in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is not in Clapham but the area, influenced by the station, is commonly known as Clapham Junction. Many routes from London’s two busiest termini, Waterloo and Victoria funnel through Clapham Junction.
By number of trains passing through each day, some 2000 (most of which stop), it is the busiest railway station in Britain, and in Europe as signage of 17 June 2005 proclaimed. It is less busy by the number of passengers, most of whom pass straight through. Interchanges make some forty per cent of the activity and by that count too it is the busiest station in the UK.
The Clapham Junction rail crash was a serious railway accident involving two collisions between three commuter trains at 08:10 on the morning of 12 December 1988.
The collisions occurred 800 m (half a mile) southwest of Clapham Junction railway station in southwest London. Thirty-five people died and five hundred were injured, making the crash one of the worst in the UK in recent times.
Pupils from the adjacent Emanuel School were first on the scene of the disaster and helped save the lives of many. They were commended for their service by the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.