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Current Student & Staff Login

How to reach ALRA South Facilities

Train Stations: Clapham Junction and Wandsworth Common
Buses:
77, 219 (alight at Windmill Road and then a short walk via John Archer Way)

The easiest way to plan travel within London is to go to the Transport for London website, www.tfl.gov.uk and type in ALRA's postcode (SW18 3SX) as your destination.

By Train

Clapham Junction is our nearest station. It's an Overground Rail Station; ALRA South is not easily accessible by Tube. Trains from Waterloo and Victoria leave every few minutes, and take less than 10 minutes to get to Clapham Junction. Exit the station via the 'Shopping Centre' exit. Clapham Junction is within easy walking distance and has a regular bus service that stops outside the school. If you decide to walk from Clapham Junction station, allow 25 minutes. Take the Shopping Centre exit out of the station, turn right and cross over the road. Walk up St John’s Hill over the railway bridge, continuing straight at the traffic lights, and take the third left - Vardens Road. Use the pedestrian crossing by The Roundhouse pub and continue in the same direction along Spencer Park (with the railway line on your left) until you reach John Archer Way. The Royal Victoria Patriotic Building is clearly visible across a small green on your right.

By Bus from Clapham Junction

You should take a 77 bus (not 77A) towards Tooting from the stop outside Debenhams in St. Johns Road. Get off at the stop called 'Windmill Road' (on London buses, each stop is announced through a PA system). Turn left into John Archer Way. The Royal Victoria Patriotic Building is clearly visible across a small green on your right.

By Tube

Although we recommend the above route, it is possible to reach us by Tube. Please be warned that this route may take longer so please allow yourself more time when travelling to and from ALRA. Tooting Bec is our nearest Underground station, but it is a mile and a half from the college. Take a 219 bus towards Wandsworth and get off at 'Wandsworth Prison' just after the County Arms pub on your left (on London buses, each stop is announced through a PA system). Access can be gained through Fitzhugh Grove, a little further along on the opposite side of Trinity Road from the bus stop. Once in Fitzhugh Grove, follow the road around to the left. The RVP Building should soon come into view. If you choose to walk, the route is straight along Trinity Road, but it is a long walk.

By Car

Parking is free in the grounds of the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building. If you park your car at the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building during office hours, pop into the office for a slip for your dashboard. Access to the RVP Building is via Windmill Road and John Archer Way. The one-way systems here can be tricky, so do take the time to plan ahead. ALRA South is not in the Congestion Charge zone, and for most journeys here the zone should be easy to avoid. Click here for a link to the AA's route planning service, and select the option 'Avoid tolls / congestion charging'.


At the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building:

If you are coming to an Audition Day or to visit the office:

Come in through the Main Entrance- the big black double doors at the foot of the central tower. Press the button marked ‘TR’ to buzz yourself in. You should report to the ALRA office in Studio 24 which is the first doorway in the corridor on the left.

If you are coming to see a show:

The ALRA Theatre is at the back of the RVP Building- there's no need to come in through the front entrance. Billboards should point the way for you. Parking is available in the back car park, and you don't need a permit to park in the evening. Theatre doors tend to open 10 minutes before a performance. As there isn't a front of house area or foyer, if you're early please head over to Le Gothique bar, on the other side of the courtyard.

Access

The Royal Victoria Patriotic Building is a listed building, though the recommended adaptations have been made for people with access needs. Please call us on 020 8870 6475 to discuss your needs before setting off on your journey. This will also help us prepare ramped entrances if they're needed. There is access to the ground floor level only- this includes the ALRA Theatre (via a ramp), Le Gothique bar, a disabled-access toilet, and some of our rehearsal spaces. The disabled-access toilet is in the rear courtyard, at the opposite end of the covered walkway from Le Gothique. Please ask for assistance if needed, and note that the rear courtyard is cobbled. If you are coming to see a show and require an aisle seat, or a place with level access, please call us to let us know. ALRA South is based at the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, a magnificent Grade II listed Victorian Gothic building on the edge of Wandsworth Common, South West London. The building is shared with artists and artisans, small businesses and private residents. It's a unique community - there's even a wine bar on site.


Location

The school is just a short walk away from Clapham Junction or Tooting, which each have popular bars, clubs and restaurants. The superb multi-arts venue Battersea Arts Centre, the Asian-led Tara Arts and acclaimed fringe venue Theatre503 are all nearby.

There is excellent access to the city centre for visits to West End theatres, fringe theatres and London nightlife. Trains to Waterloo and Victoria leave every few minutes and take less than 10 minutes to reach their destinations. There are also direct trains to Shepherd's Bush and Westfield Shopping Centre.