South of the River Thames the buildings are dense, and green spaces are in short supply. All the same, great rhomboids of park land dot the landscape on what was common land. At the time of the mid 1800’s expansion of London, local people campaigned and paid for the land to be set aside, and ever since, governing councils and local friends groups have continued to manage the space, albeit with low funds, and it is probably that lack of budget that has given the time necessary for trees to grow.

From Balham station we take a short walk to Tooting Commons, bisected by a south-bound railway line, an expanse of now quite mature trees and grassland. Continue through suburban London to the slopes of Streatham Common; it’s expansive and a glance takes in the main sweep of it, but tucked away is an intricate and delightful park called the Rookery. Pass over [whose??] Norwood Grove manor lands and White House down through quiet shrubs to Norbury Park which is spacious with capacity for more splendour if the Friends can bring their energies to it.

• Meeting place: Balham station
• Distance: 4.9 miles
• End point: Norbury station
• Maps: Komoot
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