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Address: Balham High Rd, London SW12 9BW
Opened: 6th December 1926
Station Code: BLM
Fare Zone: 3

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London Underground Line(s) Served:

Northern Line (Bank Branch)

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Service Pattern(s):

10 Trains Per Hour to Edgware via Bank
2 Trains Per Hour to Mill Hill East via Bank
8 Trains Per Hour to High Barnet via Bank
20 Trains Per Hour to Morden

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Interchange(s)

National Rail: Southern

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Station History

Charles Holden designed Balham Station was the last to open on the City and South London Railway‘s extension from Clapham Common to Morden on 6th December 1926, the other stations and the line having opened on 13th September of that year.

Holden designed the station to fit a confined area, with entrances on the east and west sides of Balham High Road linked via a pedestrian subway. The station’s construction from white Portland stone with large glazed screens allowed natural light to flood the ticket halls and subway, creating a welcoming feel.

The formation of the London Passenger Transport Board in 1933 saw the C&SLR amalgamated with other lines to form London Underground, becoming the Northern Line.

With the outbreak of World War II, Balham was designated as one of the deep-level stations to be used as a civilian air raid shelter.

During an air raid on the evening of 14th October 1940 a large fragmentation bomb was dropped on the road above the northern end of the platforms. The crater left by the device was crashed into by a bus, causing the northbound platform tunnel to collapse and fill with earth, water and sewage from the fractured mains and sewers.

The effects of the explosion, combined with the flooding of the entire station led to the deaths of 64 civilians and 4 railway staff with over 70 people injured. The line was closed between Tooting Bec and Clapham Common to allow repairs to take place, with the work completed and the station reopened on 12th January 1941.

Nothing of any note occurred at the station for the next forty six years when the station buildings, platforms and passageways were granted Grade II Listed Status on 16th June 1987.

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