Lambeth
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What is Lambeth?
Lambeth is an inner borough of London, located in the historic county of Surrey, that stretches southward from the River Thames. Established in 1965, it resulted from the amalgamation of the metropolitan boroughs of Lambeth and Wandsworth.
With settlement dating back to Roman times or earlier, Lambeth remained sparsely populated until the 18th century, with most inhabitants living and working along the Thames. Today, Lambeth is known for the South Bank arts complex, which includes the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and the Hayward Gallery. Lambeth is also home to the Imperial War Museum, London Aquarium, and the London Eye.
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Where is Lambeth located in London?
Lambeth is an inner borough of London, located in the historic county of Surrey, and it stretches southward from the River Thames. It was established in 1965 through the amalgamation of the former metropolitan boroughs of Lambeth and Wandsworth (in part).
Lambeth includes the districts of Lambeth, Vauxhall, Kennington, South Lambeth, Stockwell, and Brixton, as well as large parts of Clapham, Balham, Streatham, and Norwood. Its waterfront developments are directly across the Thames from the Houses of Parliament and the City of Westminster, though Lambeth itself is largely residential, with its center of government two miles south in Brixton.
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What are some important areas or landmarks in Lambeth?
Lambeth, an inner borough of London, extends southward from the River Thames and has been settled since Roman times.
Important areas and landmarks include the South Bank arts complex, home to the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Royal National Theatre, the National Film Theatre, and the Hayward Gallery. Other attractions are the Imperial War Museum, the London Aquarium, and the London Eye. Lambeth Palace, the London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the adjacent St. Mary's Church are also notable.
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How is Lambeth different from other London boroughs?
Lambeth, an inner borough of London, extends southward from the River Thames and was established in 1965 through the amalgamation of the metropolitan boroughs of Lambeth and Wandsworth.
While famous for its waterfront developments opposite the Houses of Parliament and the City of Westminster, Lambeth is largely residential. Its local government is based two miles south in Brixton, which has a sizable Afro-Caribbean community. One-third of Lambeth’s population are ethnic minorities, including many Africans, South Asians, and Chinese.
The borough contains the South Bank arts complex, including the Royal Festival Hall, and other attractions like the Imperial War Museum and the London Eye.
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What is the population and diversity like in Lambeth?
Lambeth, an inner borough of London, has a rich history dating back to Roman times. The borough's population in 2011 was 303,086.
Lambeth is known for its diverse community; ethnic minorities comprise one-third of the population. Notably, Brixton has a sizable Afro-Caribbean community. Africans, South Asians, and Chinese are also numerous within the borough. During the economic boom of the 1950s and 60s, black Londoners settled as private tenants in Brixton.
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What role does Lambeth play in London's culture and history?
Lambeth, an inner borough of London south of the River Thames, has a rich history and culture. Sparsely populated until the 18th century, its northern section became a manufacturing center. Today, Lambeth is home to the South Bank arts complex, including the Royal Festival Hall, National Theatre, and Hayward Gallery.
Other attractions include the Imperial War Museum and the Lambeth Palace, the London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury since about 1200. The Lambeth Conference of bishops of the Anglican Communion was held here until 1968. Though famous for its waterfront, Lambeth is largely residential with a sizable Afro-Caribbean community in Brixton.
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Lambeth, inner borough of London, part of the historic county of Surrey, extending southward from the River Thames. It includes the districts of (roughly north to south) Lambeth, Vauxhall, Kennington, South Lambeth, Stockwell, and Brixton and large parts of Clapham, Balham, Streatham, and Norwood. It was established in 1965 by the amalgamation of the former metropolitan boroughs of Lambeth and Wandsworth (in part).
Settlement of the area dates to Roman times or earlier, and many of its place-names may be of ancient derivation. The origin of the name Lambeth is disputed, but the name Lamhytha (probably indicating “Harbour Landing for Lambs”) was recorded in 1088 ce; Domesday Book (1086) lists “Brixiestan” (Brixton) and “Chenintune” (Kennington). Parish churchwardens’ and vestry records exist from the 16th century.
The borough was sparsely populated until the 18th century, and the majority of its inhabitants lived and worked along the Thames. Direct access to the left bank was by ford, horse ferry, or boat until 1750, when Westminster Bridge was opened. Because of its proximity to central London and the use of the river for bulk transportation, Lambeth’s northern section became an important manufacturing centre by the 18th century. Glass and pottery works and, later, machine shops were established. Public gardens laid out at Vauxhall about 1660 were a favourite resort of the diarist Samuel Pepys and others. By 1859 the increasing urbanization of London caused the gardens to be closed and used as a building site.
During World War II, Lambeth’s riverfront industrial areas were heavily bombed, and some commercial and government offices (such as County Hall) later arose in their places near the huge rail terminus of Waterloo Station. The riverfront is now graced by one of Europe’s major cultural centres, the South Bank arts complex, which includes the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Royal National Theatre, the National Film Theatre, and the Hayward Gallery. Other attractions include the Imperial War Museum (1920), the London Aquarium (1997), and the London Eye, a Ferris wheel-like structure that takes passengers to a height of 443 feet (135 metres). (Some lesser-known museums also are tucked away in Lambeth, notably the Museum of Garden History [1977] and the Florence Nightingale Museum.) Although famous for its waterfront developments, which are directly across the Thames from the Houses of Parliament and the City of Westminster, Lambeth is largely residential. The borough’s centre of government is two miles south, in Brixton, where there is a sizable Afro-Caribbean community. Africans, South Asians, and Chinese also are numerous; ethnic minorities in Lambeth make up one-third of the population.
In Archbishop’s Park the parish church, St. Mary’s, lies alongside Lambeth Palace, the London residence of the archbishop of Canterbury. Famous hospitals include St. Thomas’s and King’s College. The former Oval Cricket Ground (which has been renamed with each change of sponsor) is in Kennington, and the borough’s parklands include large parts of Clapham, Tooting Bec, and Streatham commons. Area 10.4 square miles (27 square km). Pop. (2001) 266,169; (2011) 303,086.