The Self-Styled Mayor of Balham
Time Out have two wonderful books of London Walks - all curated by writers/comedians/artists. This walk is a quick jaunt in Balham, created by the comedian Arthur Smith. The associated essay suggests that he lives at the visited Du Cane Court - as you may see him on the way to the shops. In his capacity as the self-styled Mayor of Balham, he promises a gold embossed certificate for those completing the walk. But we know he is a comedian, so it is unlikely to be true.
I like Arthur - he suggests stopping for a pre-walk livener at the Bedford Pub. And who am I to argue with that. An impressive looking comedy/music and food venue that has been smartened up considerably since it was known as a den of iniquity for prostitutes plying their trade.
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| Would probably be my local, if I lived here |
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| Lots of pop music memorabilia |
Residential streets - spotting the new builds, presumably replacing the holes left from the WWII bombing raids - and into Tooting Bec Common. One of those surprising little pockets of countryside that can be found in London. Amidst the woodland, football pitches and tennis courts can be found the lido. Security lax enough that an urban rambler can enter for a discreet photo of the UK's largest freshwater outdoor swimming pool, holding one million gallons of unheated water.
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| London Walking |
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| London Swimming |
Back into civilisation and past Arthur's Mayoral home. Du Cane Court.
Du Cane Court on Balham High Road was built between 1935 and 1938 and, with around 677 flats and roughly two miles of internal corridors, was reputedly the largest privately owned block of flats in Europe when completed. Designed in a striking Art Deco style, it was intended as a complete 1930s lifestyle, with residents originally having access to a restaurant, bar, club, billiards room, rooftop garden, Japanese gardens, central heating, constant hot water and even piped radio. Its residents included a number of entertainers, among them Margaret Rutherford, Hermione Gingold and Tommy Trinder, giving the building strong connections with London's theatre and variety world. During the Second World War it survived the bombing of London, giving rise to the persistent local rumour that Hitler had earmarked Du Cane Court as accommodation for German officers after a successful invasion of Britain.
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| Just a sliver of Du Cane Court |
Walk Details
Distance - 3 miles
Walk Inspiration - Time Out London Walks Book 2, Walk 3
Geocaches - 1
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