Map & location
Overview
SW16 6LY is located in Furzedown, a quiet, largely Victorian residential neighbourhood in the south of the London Borough of Wandsworth. The area is characterised by wide, tree-lined streets of terraced and semi-detached houses, many dating from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and has a strong community feel with active local groups and residents' associations. It borders Streatham to the east and Balham to the north, and sits close to the boundary with the London Borough of Merton.
The immediate surroundings of SW16 6LY offer a blend of suburban calm and good local conveniences. Furzedown Recreation Ground is within easy walking distance, and the area benefits from proximity to Tooting Bec Common and Streatham Common, both of which provide substantial open green space. Local shopping is centred on the nearby stretches of Mitcham Lane and Streatham High Road, with independent cafés, supermarkets and convenience stores serving everyday needs.
Source: HM Land Registry Price Paid
The median sold price here is £475,000, around 3% below the wider SW16 district average of £488,292 (HM Land Registry, 727 recent sales).
Getting here
SW16 6LY is well served by bus routes running along Mitcham Lane and Streatham High Road, connecting residents to Tooting, Streatham, Brixton and central London. Cycling is popular in the area, with relatively flat roads and quieter residential streets making it a practical option for local journeys. The TfL Cycle hire scheme does not extend this far south, but cycle parking is available at several local destinations. Residents typically access the wider rail network via stations in neighbouring Tooting, Streatham and Balham.
What it's famous for
Furzedown is best known as one of south London's most sought-after residential enclaves, valued for its period architecture, village-like atmosphere and proximity to large open spaces. The area takes its name from the furze (gorse) that once covered this part of common land. Tooting Bec Common, close by, is one of London's larger open spaces and home to the historic Tooting Bec Lido — one of the largest freshwater outdoor swimming pools in Europe. The neighbourhood also has associations with notable local arts and community activity, and its well-maintained Victorian streetscapes are frequently used as filming locations.
Services & facilities
Provides local authority services for residents in SW16 6LY
Weekly bin collections and recycling services for the borough
Public library with books, digital access and community events
Local group supporting events, green spaces and neighbourhood issues
Tourist attractions
Local park with sports pitches, play areas and open green space
~400 mLarge open common with woodland, ponds and sports facilities
~900 mHistoric outdoor swimming pool, one of Europe's largest freshwater lidos
~1.1 kmExpansive common with café, woodland walks and kite-flying hill
~1.5 kmRow of independent and convenience retailers serving daily needs
~300 mMajor high street with supermarkets, restaurants and local services
~1.0 kmGPs, pharmacies & dentists
GP surgeries
SW166LY · 0844 4773500
~50 mSW166BL · 020 86770083
~300 mSW166PX · 020 87690845
~600 mPharmacies
SW166LY · 020 87690446
~50 mSW166LY · 020 87690446
~50 mSW166LY
~50 mDentists
SW166LY
~50 mSW166QT
~700 mSource: NHS Organisation Data Service
Schools & universities
The nearest school, Penwortham Primary School, is ~450 m away.
Community school
~450 mAcademy converter
~500 mAcademy converter
~750 mCommunity school
~850 mVoluntary aided school
~850 mSource: Get Information About Schools (DfE)
Businesses & shops
Mix of independent food shops, takeaways and convenience stores
Small independent eateries concentrated along Mitcham Lane and surrounding streets
Furzedown has a growing number of remote-working and home-office businesses
Gyms & leisure
Iconic outdoor lido open to the public seasonally
~1.1 kmFootball pitches, tennis courts and children's play area
~400 mOutdoor gym equipment and community café on the common
~1.5 kmAnnual community fair celebrating the neighbourhood's local identity
~0.5 kmService providers
FTTC and FTTP broadband infrastructure covers most of SW16
Cable broadband available across much of this part of Wandsworth
EE, O2, Vodafone and Three all provide good coverage in SW16 6LY
Responsible for electricity distribution in the SW16 area
Residential & community
Predominant housing stock, typically two or three storeys with bay windows
Spacious semis with gardens common on the wider residential streets
Smaller blocks of flats interspersed throughout the neighbourhood
Wide, leafy streets characteristic of the Furzedown conservation area character
Transport
Train & Tube
Tooting Bec Station
Tooting Bec
Tooting Broadway Station
Tooting Broadway
Mitcham Eastfields Station
Mitcham
Balham Rail Station
Balham
Bus stops
Mitcham Lane stops
Several stops along Mitcham Lane offering frequent services north and south
Streatham High Road stops
High-frequency routes to Brixton, Tooting and Croydon
Tooting Bec Road stops
Buses connecting Tooting Broadway and Clapham areas
Cycle hire
Quiet residential cycling routes
Furzedown's flat, low-traffic streets are suitable for everyday cycling
Tooting Bec Common cycle path
Informal cycling routes through the common linking to wider paths
Source: NaPTAN (DfT)
EV, defibrillators & more
EV charging
Furzedown area charging points
On-street EV chargers installed by Wandsworth Council in residential streets
Defibrillators
Community defibrillators
AEDs registered with The Circuit located at local community and sports facilities
Postboxes & Post Office
Mitcham Lane Post Office
Post Office counter services available at a local convenience store
Fuel stations
Streatham High Road petrol stations
Several fuel stations along the A23 corridor to the east
Places of worship
Parish church serving the Furzedown community
~600 mMethodist congregation close to Streatham High Road
~1.2 kmMajor mosque serving south London's Muslim community
~2.0 kmHindu temples, mosques and churches in nearby Tooting
~1.5 kmCrime & safety
Recorded crime here runs about 60% above the national average (108.8 crimes per 1,000 residents per month, police.uk).
551 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 6 of 10 (1 = most deprived), among the less deprived areas (Indices of Deprivation).
At the 2021 Census, this neighbourhood (LSOA) had a usual resident population of about 2,262.
Housing & utilities
Owner-occupation and private renting both common; some social housing nearby
Most homes date from 1890–1920, with original features often retained
Strong demand from families drawn by schools, parks and community atmosphere
Demographics
Air quality & noise
Multiple commons, parks and recreation grounds within easy reach
Generally good, though traffic on Mitcham Lane and the A23 has local impact
Furzedown sits on relatively elevated ground with low surface-water flood risk
Low ambient noise levels away from main bus routes and Mitcham Lane
FAQs
Where exactly is the SW16 6LY postcode?
SW16 6LY is in Furzedown, a residential neighbourhood in the south of the London Borough of Wandsworth. It sits roughly between Tooting to the north-west, Streatham to the east and the borough boundary with Merton to the south.
Which council is responsible for SW16 6LY?
SW16 6LY falls within the London Borough of Wandsworth. Wandsworth Council handles local services including bin collections, planning, parks and highways for this postcode.
Which parliamentary constituency does SW16 6LY belong to?
SW16 6LY is in the Tooting parliamentary constituency.
What is the Furzedown area like to live in?
Furzedown is widely regarded as one of south London's most desirable residential neighbourhoods. It has wide, tree-lined Victorian and Edwardian streets, a strong community spirit, good local schools, easy access to Tooting Bec Common and Streatham Common, and a quieter, village-like feel compared with nearby Tooting and Streatham.
What schools are near SW16 6LY?
Several primary and secondary schools serve the Furzedown area — see the Schools section above for the nearest options, with distances and Ofsted ratings.
What bus routes serve SW16 6LY?
The postcode is served by buses along Mitcham Lane (routes 155, 315 and 319) and is within reasonable distance of Streatham High Road, where numerous additional routes run towards Brixton, Tooting, Croydon and central London.
Are there parks or green spaces near SW16 6LY?
Yes — Furzedown Recreation Ground is within a short walk, Tooting Bec Common (with the famous outdoor Lido) is about a kilometre away, and Streatham Common is roughly 1.5 km distant. The area is well endowed with green space by London standards.
What ward is SW16 6LY in?
SW16 6LY is in the Furzedown ward of the London Borough of Wandsworth.
Nearby postcodes
Other postcodes near SW16 6LY:
Useful links
Official records and property listings for SW16 6LY: