Map & location
Overview
SW16 1BB falls within the busy commercial and residential corridor of Streatham High Road, one of the longest high streets in London, running through the London Borough of Lambeth. The area blends independent shops, cafés, restaurants and services alongside Victorian and Edwardian terraced housing on the surrounding streets. Streatham St Leonard's ward takes its name from the medieval parish church of St Leonard's, which remains a local landmark.
The neighbourhood benefits from strong bus connectivity into central London and to neighbouring boroughs including Croydon, Merton and Wandsworth. Open green spaces such as Streatham Common and Tooting Bec Common are within easy reach, giving residents access to woodland walks, sports facilities and lido swimming. The area has a diverse, community-minded character and has seen ongoing regeneration investment in recent years.
Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid
The median sold price here is £450,000, around 8% below the wider SW16 district average of £488,292 (HM Land Registry, 527 recent sales).
Getting here
SW16 1BB is well served by bus routes along Streatham High Road (A23), connecting directly to Brixton, Clapham, Tooting and central London. The A23 is a key arterial road, and driving towards the M25 and beyond to Gatwick Airport is straightforward. Cycling infrastructure has improved along the high road corridor, and the wider Lambeth cycling network connects to Brixton and beyond. The area is within comfortable walking distance of the wider Streatham town centre, and several bus stops are immediately adjacent to this postcode.
What it's famous for
Streatham is renowned for its extraordinary length of high street — Streatham High Road is frequently cited as one of the longest urban high streets in Britain. The area has a rich entertainment heritage, including the former Streatham Ice Rink (now the Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre), which has been a local institution for decades. Streatham also has literary and artistic associations, and has historically been home to a diverse community that continues to shape its vibrant cultural scene.
The nearby Streatham Common hosts an annual kite day attracting thousands of visitors, and the ancient St Leonard's Church on the high road dates to at least the 12th century. The area's location close to both Clapham and Brixton has made it popular with young professionals and families seeking more space while remaining well connected to inner London.
Services & facilities
Local authority providing housing, planning and community services
Public lending library on Streatham High Road, approx. 0.3 km
Main post office serving the Streatham area
Policing for SW16 provided by Lambeth's local policing team
London Fire Brigade station on Streatham High Road, approx. 0.5 km
Tourist attractions
Large open common with woodland, café and annual kite day
~1.0 kmHistoric ice rink and sports facility on Streatham High Road
~0.5 kmMedieval parish church at the heart of Streatham St Leonard's ward
~0.3 kmExpansive common with lido, sports courts and open parkland
~1.5 kmOne of London's longest high streets with shops, cafés and restaurants
adjacentArts and community venue hosting theatre, events and exhibitions
~0.8 kmGPs, pharmacies & dentists
GP surgeries
SW161XU · 0844 4773313
~100 mSW161QB · 020 87693308
~200 mSW162ST · 02070 627860
~250 mPharmacies
SW161BB · 020 87691165
~50 mSW161BB · 020 86773145
~50 mSW161BB · 020 86775859
~50 mDentists
SW161UN
~150 mSW161BJ
~200 mSource: NHS Organisation Data Service
Schools & universities
The nearest school, Burlington House School Tooting, is ~550 m away.
Other independent special school
~550 mOther independent special school
~600 mAcademy converter
~600 mCommunity school
~700 mOther independent school
~750 mSource: Get Information About Schools (DfE)
Businesses & shops
Diverse mix of independent shops, restaurants and takeaways
Wide range of cuisines reflecting Streatham's multicultural community
Accountants, estate agents and solicitors serving the Streatham corridor
Numerous salons, barbers and wellness studios along the high road
Gyms & leisure
Ice rink, gym and sports facilities open year-round
~0.5 kmWoodland walks, café kiosk and open-air events space
~1.0 kmOne of Europe's largest outdoor swimming pools, open seasonally
~1.5 kmCommunity arts hub with live performance and gallery space
~0.8 kmExtensive green space ideal for walking, cycling and sport
~1.5 kmService providers
Full-fibre and FTTC broadband available across SW16
Cable broadband and TV services available in much of Streatham
Water and sewerage provider for the SW16 area
Electricity distribution network operator for south London
Residential & community
Predominant housing stock on streets off the high road
Many period houses subdivided into flats, popular with renters
Post-war and modern apartment blocks interspersed across the ward
Ongoing mixed-use development schemes along the A23 corridor
Transport
Train & Tube
Balham Station
Balham
Tooting Bec Underground Station
Tooting Bec
Tooting Broadway Station
Tooting Broadway
Clapham South Underground Station
Clapham South
Bus stops
Streatham High Road (various stops)
Frequent services northbound to Brixton and southbound to Croydon
Streatham High Road / Streatham Hill stops
Night bus services providing 24-hour connectivity to central London
Cycle hire
Streatham High Road Cycle Lane
Marked cycling provision along parts of the A23 corridor
Quietway & LCN Routes
London Cycling Network links connecting Streatham to Brixton and Tooting
Source: NaPTAN (DfT)
EV, defibrillators & more
EV charging
Streatham High Road EV Charging
On-street and car-park EV charge points available in central Streatham
Defibrillators
Streatham High Road (registered defibrillators)
Several public-access defibrillators registered in the high road area
Postboxes & Post Office
Streatham High Road Post Office
Main post office branch serving the SW16 area
Fuel stations
Petrol Station, Streatham High Road
Petrol and diesel available at forecourt on the A23
Places of worship
Ancient parish church, heart of Streatham St Leonard's ward
~0.3 kmCatholic parish church serving the local community
~0.5 kmActive Baptist congregation with community programmes
~0.6 kmLocal mosque serving Streatham's Muslim community
~0.7 kmCrime & safety
Recorded crime here runs about 367% above the national average (317.8 crimes per 1,000 residents per month, police.uk).
556 street-level crimes were reported within about a mile of this postcode in April 2026.
Source: data.police.uk. Locations are approximate (anonymised to map points) and cover England, Wales & Northern Ireland.
Area data & demographics
This neighbourhood falls in deprivation decile 4 of 10 (1 = most deprived), among the more deprived areas (Indices of Deprivation).
At the 2021 Census, this neighbourhood (LSOA) had a usual resident population of about 1,863.
Housing & utilities
Combination of private renting, owner-occupation and social housing
Ground-floor commercial units with residential above on A23
Strong demand from young professionals and families due to transport links
Demographics
Air quality & noise
Air quality affected by high traffic volumes on Streatham High Road
Streatham Common and Tooting Bec Common within 1.5 km
Elevated road and commercial noise near the A23 corridor
Most of SW16 1BB is in a low flood-risk zone per Environment Agency data
FAQs
Where exactly is SW16 1BB?
SW16 1BB is located in Streatham, in the London Borough of Lambeth, south London. It falls within the Streatham St Leonard's ward, centred on and around Streatham High Road (the A23).
Which council covers SW16 1BB?
SW16 1BB is administered by the London Borough of Lambeth. For council tax, planning, housing and local services, residents contact Lambeth Council.
Which parliamentary constituency is SW16 1BB in?
SW16 1BB falls within the Streatham and Croydon North parliamentary constituency.
What is the Streatham SW16 area like to live in?
Streatham is a lively, diverse south London neighbourhood with a long high street, good bus connections, nearby green spaces including Streatham Common and Tooting Bec Common, and a mix of period terraces and converted flats. It attracts young professionals and families alike.
Are there good schools near SW16 1BB?
Several schools serve the area — see the Schools section above for the nearest options, with distances and Ofsted ratings.
How do I get from SW16 1BB to central London?
The area is well served by frequent bus services along Streatham High Road (A23), including routes to Brixton and onward connections to central London. The A23 also makes driving straightforward.
What green spaces are near SW16 1BB?
Streatham Common (approximately 1 km away) offers woodland walks and open space, while Tooting Bec Common (approximately 1.5 km) includes the famous Tooting Bec Lido and extensive recreational areas.
What is SW16 1BB's postcode sector and district?
SW16 1BB belongs to the SW16 postcode district, which covers Streatham and parts of the surrounding south London area. The '1' sector broadly corresponds to the central Streatham High Road area.
Nearby postcodes
Other postcodes near SW16 1BB:
Useful links
Official records and property listings for SW16 1BB: