Living in Tooting

About Tooting

With its unpretentious, down-to-earth vibe and a lively mix of green spaces, bustling high streets and exciting new openings, Tooting has plenty to offer. It’s quieter than neighbouring Balham and Streatham, yet close enough to enjoy their amenities. Residents love the sense of community and the outstanding choice of schools, which makes it ideal for families.

Tooting is is known for its lido, which is the largest of its kind in the UK, and for the wide green expanses of the Tooting Commons, including Tooting Commons, which are perfect for weekend walks, picnics and outdoor activities. The area’s growing popularity means there’s plenty to do for all ages, from family-friendly attractions to a vibrant bar and restaurant scene.

Fact file

• There is a 28km diameter crater on the planet Mars called Tooting, as its discoverer was born in the area.
• The Gala Bingo hall is a spectacular Grade I listed former 1930s cinema and concert hall, which played host to Frank Sinatra and Carmen Miranda in its heyday, and is home to one of the last few working Wurlitzer organs in London.
• The actor George Cole, snooker player Jimmy White and footballer Darren Bent all hail from Tooting.

Architecture and property

Along with Balham, Tooting developed as a settlement on the old coach route out of London to the south and west. It remained largely rural until the late 19th century, when the railway arrived and development accelerated. Over the next two decades, many fine villas were demolished to make way for typical Victorian terraced housing. Between 1901 and 1911, the London County Council created the Totterdown Fields Estate, a pioneering cottage estate for working families and now a conservation area. Tooting’s transport links improved further in 1926 with two Northern Line stations designed by Charles Holden.

There are rare examples of early Georgian development on Upper Tooting Road and groups of Arts and Crafts style homes in Nightingale Lane. The bulk of Tooting’s housing, however, consists of Victorian and Edwardian terraces, 1920s cottages and purpose-built maisonettes, together with pockets of new build apartments.

Going out

Tooting is famous for its “curry corridor,” offering authentic dishes from across South Asia. Locals love Kaosarn for Thai food, while Dosa n Chutney serves exceptional South Indian dosas. Meza brings Lebanese flavours to South West London, and Bobochacha offers a pan-Asian menu for those who like variety. Graveney & Meadow is a unique spot, doubling as a bakery by day and a tapas and cocktail bar by night. For traditional London fare, Harrington’s pie and mash shop is a must-visit, while The Castle is known for award-winning ales and hearty dishes. 

Tooting’s drinking scene is just as diverse. The Wheatsheaf is a beautiful Victorian pub offering real ales alongside blues and comedy nights. The Trafalgar Arms, part of the Geronimo Inns group, serves modern English dishes in stylish surroundings. Inside Tooting Market, Unwined has evolved from a pop-up into a wine shop, bar and restaurant, while Graveney Gin offers organic small-batch gin with tasting sessions.

Culture thrives in Tooting thanks to its creative community. The Tooting Arts Club stages innovative productions in unexpected venues, such as Sweeney Todd performed inside Harrington’s pie and mash shop. Craft enthusiasts will enjoy the London Sewing Machine Museum, home to historic machines, including one owned by Queen Victoria. 

Local amenities

Tooting is home to two indoor markets just a few metres apart. Tooting Market has a lively multicultural atmosphere, while Broadway Market is one of London’s largest indoor markets, with more than a hundred stalls. Both are open Monday to Saturday and attract locals and visitors alike. For everyday shopping, there’s a large Sainsbury’s with ample parking in the town centre, alongside high street names such as Tesco Express, TK Maxx, Primark and Boots.

Tooting Library is open seven days a week and offers reading groups and a children’s chess club, making it a hub for community activities.

Fitness enthusiasts have plenty of options. Tooting Leisure Centre features a swimming pool, gym and indoor sports hall, while outdoor lovers can enjoy Tooting Bec Lido or the Tooting Bec Athletics Track. For 24-hour access, Anytime Fitness and The Gym on Garratt Lane provide round-the-clock facilities.

Green spaces

A large green space of over 200 acres, popularly known as the Tooting Commons, lies at the northern end of Tooting. Historically, this was two separate parks, Tooting Graveney Common and Tooting Bec. 

Tooting Bec Common is home to Tooting Bec Lido, which at 91m long is the largest open-air swimming pool in the country. The Lido is open to everyone from late May to the end of September and is home to the South London Swimming Club, whose members have exclusive use of the Lido during the winter months.