Map & location
Overview
SW16 5LL falls within the Streatham Common & Vale ward of the London Borough of Lambeth, centred on the southern fringes of Streatham close to the open expanse of Streatham Common. The area is predominantly residential, characterised by Edwardian and Victorian terraced and semi-detached housing along tree-lined streets, with a strong sense of local community and easy access to green space, local shops and cafés along Streatham High Road.
The neighbourhood benefits from good connectivity into central London and towards Croydon, and sits within a short walk of Streatham Common itself — one of south London's most cherished public parks. The surrounding streets, including parts of Gleneldon Road and Lewin Road, offer a mix of owner-occupied homes and privately rented properties, making this a popular choice for families and young professionals alike.
Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid
The median sold price here is £507,250, around 4% above the wider SW16 district average of £488,292 (HM Land Registry, 776 recent sales).
Getting here
SW16 5LL is well served by buses along Streatham High Road (A23), one of south London's main arterial routes, offering frequent services northward to Brixton and central London and southward toward Croydon and Thornton Heath. Cycling routes connect the area to Streatham Common and the wider Lambeth cycling network. The postcode is approximately 0.5 miles from Streatham Common and within walking distance of local amenities. Streatham High Road is accessible on foot within a few minutes, and the area is well-suited to pedestrians with wide pavements and good street lighting.
What it's famous for
Streatham Common is the defining landmark of this part of south London — a 66-acre open space that hosts annual events including the Streatham Common Kite Day, popular with families across Lambeth and Croydon. The broader Streatham area has a rich entertainment heritage: the former Streatham Ice Rink was once the largest in Europe, and the Streatham High Road has long been a bustling commercial and cultural artery. The Vale area to the south is known for its attractive residential character and proximity to the wooded slopes of Norwood Grove.
Services & facilities
Provides council tax, planning and local services for this postcode
Policing provided by the Met's Lambeth borough command
Nearest fire station at Streatham, covering SW16
Kerbside recycling and refuse collection by Lambeth
Public library with reading, IT and community services nearby
Tourist attractions
Expansive 66-acre park with woodland, café and play areas
~0.3 miWooded hillside with panoramic views over south London
~0.5 miIndoor ice rink and leisure facilities on Streatham High Road
~0.7 miLarge open common with athletics track and open-air lido
~1.2 miOne of London's longest high streets with diverse shops and eateries
~0.3 miGPs, pharmacies & dentists
GP surgeries
SW165SE · 020 86797536
~250 mSW163NP · 02034 746999
~450 mSW166BL · 020 86770083
~600 mPharmacies
SW165TE · 020 87659140
~250 mDentists
SW165TF
~200 mSW165TD
~450 mSource: NHS Organisation Data Service
Schools & universities
The nearest school, Immanuel and St Andrew Church of England Primary School, is ~200 m away.
Voluntary aided school
~200 mCommunity school
~650 mCommunity school
~750 mVoluntary aided school
~850 mCommunity school
~950 mSource: Get Information About Schools (DfE)
Businesses & shops
Independent shops, supermarkets and national chains along the A23
Growing number of independent eateries and coffee shops in Streatham
Several independent and chain fitness operators in the SW16 area
Active residential sales and lettings market serving Streatham Common
Gyms & leisure
Open green space ideal for walking, kite flying and picnics
~0.3 miIce skating, swimming and gym facilities for all ages
~0.7 miHistoric outdoor swimming pool open seasonally
~1.3 miPopular community café within the park grounds
~0.3 miArts and performance venue serving the local community
~0.8 miService providers
Full fibre and FTTC broadband available in most of SW16
Cable broadband coverage extends across much of SW16
EE, O2, Three and Vodafone all provide 4G/5G coverage here
Drinking water and sewerage services for this postcode
Electricity distribution for the SW London area
Residential & community
Dominant housing stock; typically 3–4 bedroom terraced houses
Sought-after semis on quieter residential streets near the Common
Some purpose-built apartment blocks, popular with renters
Blend of owner-occupied, private rented and social housing
Transport
Train & Tube
Streatham Common
Streatham Vale
Streatham Station
Streatham
Norbury
Norbury
Mitcham Eastfields Station
Mitcham
Bus stops
Streatham High Road (A23)
Frequent buses northbound to Brixton, Victoria and the West End
Streatham Common (local stops)
Local bus routes connecting to Croydon, Norbury and Tooting
Cycle hire
Streatham Common Cycling Route
Quiet residential streets provide access into Streatham Common
A23 Cycle Lane
Dedicated lane sections on Streatham High Road heading north
Source: NaPTAN (DfT)
EV, defibrillators & more
EV charging
Streatham High Road EV Points
On-street EV charging bays installed by Lambeth Council
Defibrillators
Streatham Common Café
Publicly accessible defibrillator reported at the park café
Postboxes & Post Office
Streatham Post Office
Full post office services on Streatham High Road
Fuel stations
Local Petrol Station
Fuel station on or near Streatham High Road A23 corridor
Places of worship
Historic Anglican parish church serving the Streatham area
~0.7 miActive Baptist congregation with community programmes
~0.8 miCatholic church serving the Streatham and Balham parishes
~0.9 miLambeth hosts diverse faith communities within easy reach
variesCrime & safety
Recorded crime here runs about 125% above the national average (152.9 crimes per 1,000 residents per month, police.uk).
579 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 1,655.
Housing & utilities
Large proportion of late 19th and early 20th century terraced homes
Popular with families and professionals for park proximity and transport
Some conversion of larger houses into flats in recent decades
Demographics
Air quality & noise
Major public park immediately accessible from this postcode
A23 traffic contributes to local pollution; generally acceptable levels
Side streets are calm; High Road brings some traffic noise
Elevated ground near the Common reduces surface water flood risk
FAQs
Where exactly is the postcode SW16 5LL?
SW16 5LL is located in Streatham, south London, within the Streatham Common & Vale ward of the London Borough of Lambeth. It sits close to Streatham Common park and the A23 Streatham High Road.
What is the nearest railway or tube station to SW16 5LL?
Several rail and Underground stations serve the SW16 area — see the Transport section above for current options and approximate distances, as authoritative travel data is listed there.
Which schools are near SW16 5LL?
Several schools serve the SW16 5LL area — see the Schools section above for the nearest options with distances and Ofsted ratings, sourced from authoritative data.
What is the area around SW16 5LL like to live in?
The area is a pleasant, predominantly residential south London neighbourhood with Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses, easy access to Streatham Common park, good bus links and a diverse local community. It suits families and professionals looking for green space and good connectivity.
Which council covers SW16 5LL?
SW16 5LL falls within the London Borough of Lambeth. Lambeth Council is responsible for local services including planning, waste collection, parks and council tax.
Which parliamentary constituency is SW16 5LL in?
SW16 5LL is in the Streatham and Croydon North parliamentary constituency.
What bus routes serve SW16 5LL?
Streatham High Road (A23) is the main bus corridor, served by multiple routes including the 133, 159, 250, 417 and 57, offering frequent services to Brixton, Victoria and Croydon. Local routes also connect to Tooting and Norbury.
Is SW16 5LL close to any parks or green spaces?
Yes — Streatham Common, a 66-acre public park, is within approximately 0.3 miles of SW16 5LL. Norwood Grove and Tooting Bec Common are also accessible within about a mile.
Nearby postcodes
Other postcodes near SW16 5LL:
Useful links
Official records and property listings for SW16 5LL: