SW17 Area Guide
A locals' guide to SW17
Where do SW17 locals go?
Did you know?
"The Granada Cinema in Tooting is the first Grade II listed cinema in Britain. It is built in an Art Deco style and has seen many famous faces on its stage, including Frank Sinatra and Carmen Miranda."
Bradley Slade
Stephanie Kele
Bradley Slade
Explore SW17
What locals say about SW17
“Tooting is family-friendly and safe. You have everything here on your doorstep.”
Alex
“Great community feel with loads of small business activity in the indoor market.”
Shahin
“So many good places to eat out and a great atmosphere in the evenings and weekends.”
Shannon
“Attractive terraces and a wide selection of places to eat out.”
Harry
“An underrated gem sandwiched between 2 beautiful commons and close to one of my favourite restaurants, Chez Bruce. I was living in Earlsfield and was never able to get on the first train that comes, but in Tooting Bec, I can usually get on the first train. ”
Mami
“I love vast Tooting Bec Common just on my doorstep. It is so convenient for kids, with its two playgrounds, duck pond and little cafe, not to mention the lido. Tooting Bec Underground Station is just a short walk away with its direct access to the city and West End. I love the many shops and fantastic food joints, not to mention the two markets. There are lots of baby playgroups around and some very good schools. I love the atmosphere when I walk down the high street. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. ”
Mum of two
“Tooting Bec Common on a Sunday morning, fresh fruit smoothies from Tooting Market, amazing restaurants, live music in the local pubs, the lido in summer and the fabulous melting pot of its constituents. Tooting has been burning a fire for years but now the heat is palpable. I love it!”
Lou
“Very conveniently located for transport links, but not too busy either with some lovely cafes and restaurants around. I much prefer it to its neighbours on the Northern line.”
Ben
“I love Tooting Bec because of how diverse the community is yet it is so accepting of everyone. Walking home, I pass a phone store and a butchers and we always greet each other despite me never having purchased anything from there. The area is filled with so many things to do and has really good transport links with Balham only being a 10 minute walk away. It really is so convenient! It's not the trendiest part of London but I've never felt unsafe here.”
Hayley
“Open and airy yet still feels like you're close to London.”
Colin
“Lovely community feel and lots of older settled families and also lots of young professionals couples and families moving in. Tooting has long been the hidden gem in London.”
oldtimer
“Northern line takes you straight to the centre of London and, being just before busy Balham and Clapham, you actually get a seat. You also have an Overground rail option just down from Balham. Vast open green parks with tennis courts and the largest lido in the country. Great curry houses just around the corner in Tooting Broadway and, if you have a car, just a short drive from beautiful places such as Richmond, Wimbledon, etc. Finally, the council is around the most efficient in the country with among the lowest tax rates. Tooting Bec pretty much has it all.”
David
“Young professionals and families moving in. New bars and restaurants opening, turning Tooting into an increasingly trendy place.”
Local resident
“I like living in Tooting because of Tooting Bec Common and the leafy oak trees, and above all else the quiet. ”
Local resident
“I love Tooting because of Tooting Bec Common and Wigmore Lawn Tennis Club.”
Local resident
Activities near SW17
Train Time Play Time 1pm-2pm Session
Come and join our Stay and Play session at Tooting & Balham Sea Cadets 89 Mellison Road London SW17 9AS One hour of toot-tastic fun with various trains and track play-sets Free tea and coffeeRead more
Train Time Play Time 9am-10am Session
Come and join our Stay and Play session at Tooting & Balham Sea Cadets 89 Mellison Road London SW17 9AS One hour of toot-tastic fun with various trains and track play-sets Free tea and coffeeRead more
BalhamBalham Bowls Comedy: April 2nd with Maisie Adam
Back at Balham Bowls with an absolutely phenomenal headliner... MAISIE ADAM! star of LIVE AT THE APOLLO, BIG FAT QUIZ OF THE YEAR, MOCK THE WEEK (and pretty much every telly show out there!) - we are delighted to have Maisie down! AND...the viral sensation that is ALI WOODS! Fresh from selling out Hackney Empire, a Comedy Central performance and writing his own bloody sitcom - Ali is one of the fastest rising stars on the UK circuit! The last 6 shows have sold out so don't delay! Get your tickets now and join us at Balham Bowls!Read more
Comedy and Cocktails at Goldfinch: April 9th
7pmComedy is a comedy pop up that specialises in putting on new material comedy shows with big names alongside the best up and comers! Previously we've had comedians like Joe Thomas (the Inbetweeners), Sindhu Vee, Fin Taylor, Esther Manito, Fatiha El-Ghorri (Live At The Apollo) and many more drop in to try out new jokes! Sometimes they'll be unlisted but keep an eye on our instagram @7pmComedy for all our show updates! Check out instagram for the latest info on our lineups - @7pmcomedyRead more
Crack Comedy Wimbledon
We bring you comedy on Broadway - The Wimbledon Broadway - but still you get the ideal! Join us each week on Saturday nights for amazing laughs with the best comics in the UK and get free entry to the only nightclub in Wimbledon. Shows are from 8pm to 10pm at Tunnel 267 and join us from 7pm for a drink in their fantastic bar. You can stay after the show until very, very late.Read more
WhizzDance Choreography Competition
We are hosting our second Choreography Competition to give the opportunity for our WhizzDancers to get creative and perform to an audience on a stage whilst hopefully raising some money for our 2026 Show Pot. We look forward to supporting our ever creative WhizzDancers and seeing them in action on stage. SPECTATORS: 7 a seat, no charge for babes in arms ENTRIES: Please click "BOOK HERE" to enter. Please read the following before entering: We have 3 age categories: 4-7yrs, 8-10yrs, 11yrs+ The following categories to enter: SOLOS, 10 per entry DUETS, 12.50 per entry GROUPS, 15 per entry (One entry per choreographic number) Deadline for entry is 15th April 2025. You may enter up to a maximum of 2 solos, 2 duets and/or 3 group dances. You may choreograph for another dancer/s at WhizzDance. Dances may be any genre. Song and dance is welcome but the backing track must have no vocal line. No dance should be longer than 1 mins (Group dances may have up to 2 mins) One trophy only will be presented to all categories The competition will be judged by a special guest visitor to WhizzDance Costume is encouraged by not essential Music needs to submitted by edited digital format, or music to a link with instructions on when to fade by Friday 9th May to misslucy@whizzdance.com If we do not have enough entries to run the event by the 15th April we will cancel with full refund.Read more
Lucifer
'Lucifer' is an almost true, autobiographical two hander play about Tom, an engineer, who is fired after giving a presentation to a company for a new contract, because he stammers.Read more
About SW17
SW17 is the postcode district in South West London incorporating the areas of Tooting, Mitcham and is covered by the Wandsworth local authority.
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Feedback about living in SW17 has been submitted directly by the public and may not necessarily reflect the views of Foxtons. The description of SW17 was modified from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons licence. Land Registry data is Crown copyright. All the views and contributions contained within Foxtons Local Life are those of the contributors. All content is assessed before publishing for taste, however free opinion is encouraged. Foxtons accept no payment or sponsorship for content that is posted about SW17.