Editing Balham (section)

{{Short description|Area in south London, England}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country = England
| region = London
| official_name = Balham
| coordinates = {{coord|51.4434|-0.1525|display=inline,title}}
| london_borough = Wandsworth
| constituency_westminster = [[Tooting (UK Parliament constituency)|Tooting]] and [[Battersea (UK Parliament constituency)|Battersea]]
| constituency_westminster1 = 
| constituency_westminster2 = [[Clapham and Brixton Hill (UK Parliament constituency)|Clapham and Brixton Hill]]
| post_town = LONDON
| postcode_area = SW
| postcode_district = SW12, SW4, SW17
| dial_code = 020
| os_grid_reference = TQ285735
| population = 14,751
| population_ref = (2011 Census.Ward)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13689117&c=Balham&d=14&e=62&g=6339133&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1476264450938&enc=1|title=Wandsworth Ward population 2011|access-date=12 October 2016|publisher=Office for National Statistics|work=Neighbourhood Statistics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021060052/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=13689117&c=Balham&d=14&e=62&g=6339133&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1476264450938&enc=1|archive-date=21 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| charingX_distance_mi = 4.5
| charingX_direction = NNE
| static_image_name = Balham_tube_080120.jpg
| static_image_caption = Balham High Road
| london_borough1 = Lambeth
}}
'''Balham''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|æ|l|əm}}) is an [[List of areas of London|area]] in south-west [[London]], England, in the [[London Borough of Wandsworth]], with small parts extending into the neighbouring [[London Borough of Lambeth]]. It has been settled since Saxon times and appears in the Domesday Book as Belgeham.

The area saw significant development after the opening of Balham railway station in 1856. During World War II, Balham Underground station suffered heavy damage from [[The Blitz|air raids]], killing around 64 people. In 1974, a bomb planted by the [[Provisional IRA]] exploded near government buildings in the area.

Balham is between four south London commons. The town centre features a variety of bars, restaurants, and shops, and the area is economically and culturally diverse. The Polish, Irish, Portuguese, Somali, Pakistani, and Brazilian communities are well-represented in Balham.

Notable landmarks in the area include the Bedford, a pub venue for live music and comedy, the distinctive [[Art Deco]]-designed [[Du Cane Court]], and the Oak Lodge School for deaf children. Balham has its own library and leisure centre and was the site of the UK's first pedestrian diagonal X-crossing. Balham station serves as an interchange between National Rail and London Underground services.