Country On The Common

Getting to Tooting Common is straightforward thanks to London’s transport network. By Underground, take the Northern Line to Tooting Broadway or Tooting Bec – each station is only about a 15-20 minute walk (or short local bus ride) from the park. Southern Rail trains also serve nearby Streatham and Balham stations, which are within walking distance. Several London buses (for example, routes 249 and 319) stop right adjacent to Tooting Common. It’s a good idea to check the Transport for London journey planner or a travel app for the fastest route. Cycling could also be a convenient option – the festival will provide bicycle parking (bring your own lock).

If you plan to drive, allow extra travel time for London traffic. The common is just off the A24 (Tooting High Street), which connects to the M25 ring road to the south and London’s South Circular to the east. Drivers coming from central London can also reach Tooting via local roads like the A217 (Garratt Lane). Note that on-site parking is virtually unavailable (aside from a handful of spaces for disabled badge holders). We recommend parking outside central London or near a Tube station and using public transport or a short taxi ride to the festival.

London’s airports are well-connected to the city. Heathrow (LHR) is the closest (about 12 miles to the west); from there you can take the Piccadilly Line into central London and switch to the Northern Line. Gatwick (LGW) offers express trains to London Victoria or London Bridge; from those stations transfer to the Underground. Stansted (STN) and Luton (LTN) connect via train to London (Liverpool Street or St Pancras), then onward by Tube. For travelers from the Midlands (Leicester/Nottingham), East Midlands Airport (EMA) is also an option – take a train to London St Pancras or Euston and then the Northern Line to Tooting. In all cases, plan extra time for travel on London’s transport network.

For accommodation, book early and consider staying near a Tube or train station. Budget hotels, B&Bs, and guesthouses are available in Tooting, Balham, and Wandsworth – all on or close to the Northern Line. Nearby neighborhoods like Clapham and Streatham also have lodging and easy connections. If those fill up, many visitors stay in central London (for example near Waterloo or Camden) and commute south on the Northern Line each day. You can also explore short-term rental options in residential zones. Being close to public transit will make returning to the festival each night convenient, after enjoying London’s many sights and dining options.