Tooting is bordered by two attractive commons which boast large playing fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, cafes and the popular lido. Furzedown is a leafy, residential area East of Tooting and bordering Streatham (SW16). It boasts beautiful houses and excellent primary and secondary schools.
Tooting is home to London's oldest open air Victorian lido, the largest fresh water pool in England. Tooting has a diverse population and has some of London's best curry houses. It is a lively shopping centre, with two covered markets and a range of excellent food and retail outlets. It is busy, bustling and full of surprises. I bet you didn't know that the Rolling Stones and The Beatles have both played Tooting! Or that the Granada Cinema - now a Gala Bingo Hall is Grade I listed and was designed by the Russian theatre director and designer ,Theodore Komisarjevsky, husband of Dame Peggy Ashcroft. The interior is fabulous.
Tooting falls into several smaller areas; Tooting Bec, Tooting Broadway and Furzedown, each with their own different 'feel'.
Tooting's History:
The word 'Tooting' probably comes from 'the dwelling of the sons of Totas', a Saxon name. The Domesday survey shows two distinct areas of Tooting, Tooting Bec and Tooting Graveney. Domesday also records the existence of a church which probably dated from shortly after the death of Edward the Confessor. Elizabeth I visted Tooting in 1600 and an avenue of trees was planted on the Common in her honour. During the 18th Century, Tooting became a desirable place for a country residence and many large mansions, for the rich of The City, were erected.
Famous people associated with Tooting:
- Daniel Defoe had strong connections with Tooting towards the end of the 17th century as he attended dissenters' meetings in Tooting.
- Richard Blackmore, 18th Century court physician and poet lived in Tooting.
- Sir James Bateman, Lord Mayor of London, lived in Tooting until his death in 1718.
- Samuel Johnson was, for fifteen years until the death of Henry Thrale in 1781, a frequent visitor to the Thrale's House which overlooked Tooting Bec Common.
- Thomas Hardy lived at 172 Trinity Road between 1878-81.
- Sir Henry Lauder, the music-hall performer, lived at 46 Longley Road between 1903-11.
- Jimmy White, the snooker player, was born and still practices in Tooting.
- Dom Brown - the guitarist with Duran Duran - lives in Furzedown, as does the drummer from Faceless!
- Map of area: Tooting
- Postcode: SW17
- Population: 13,216
- Average age: 34.1
- Average house price: £356,544
- Local authority: Wandsworth
- Within the congestion zone: No
- Train/tube: Tooting Broadway, Tooting Bec, Tooting NR
- Bus routes: 44, 57, 77, 127, 131, 155, 219, 264, 270, 280, 333, 355, 493, G1, N44, N133, N155
- Banks: 8
- Cinemas: 0
- Doctors: 13
- Dentists: 7
- Leisure facilities: 8
- Libraries: 2
- Supermarkets: 4
- Theatres: 1
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