Overview of North Lambeth
North Lambeth is one of the most exciting areas of London. The arts are thriving here and it is at the heart of a thriving 24 hour metropolis.
North Lambeth is and has historically been an ethnically diverse area. All through the last century settling Italian, Portuguese, Caribbean and African and Asian immigrants have all left their imprint on the area and add to the vibrancy and richness of North Lambeth.
The North Lambeth Town Centre Area encompasses the distinct areas of Waterloo, Kennington and Oval, Vauxhall, Vassall ward in North Brixton.
Waterloo
Facing the Houses of Parliament across the Thames is Lambeth Palace, historic home of the Archbishop of Canterbury. North Lambeth's spectacular riverside walk also takes in the South Bank arts complex including the Royal Festival Hall, the National Theatre, the Hayward Gallery, the National Film Theatre, Queen Elizabeth Hall and the British Film Institute.
While the spectacular IMAX 3D cinema is a recent arrival in Waterloo, other key attractions such as the Old and Young Vic theatres and the popular Imperial War Museum have been major local landmarks for much longer.
Westminster Bridge is a few hundred yards upstream from the actual station, while the world's biggest ferris wheel, the London Eye, stands above the river.
County Hall, former home of the Greater London Council, lies south of Westminster Bridge. Its new incumbents include a vast Aquarium and hotel. One of London's major hospitals Saint Thomas', which also houses the Florence Nightingale Museum is situated straight opposite.
The diversity of the Waterloo area is reinforced by the presence of Morley College, the Waterloo campus of Kings College, St John's Church and the headquarters of the London Ambulance service.
Lambeth Council is tackling a backlog of social and economic problems by active participation and creation of regeneration partnerships: The South Bank Partnership is a consortium of private and public sector bodies, which promote projects such as the work at Jubilee Gardens to create an attractive public park.
Waterloo's green credentials are further boosted by the Millenium Green in Baylis Road, an area for the local community. There is also the Museum of Garden History on Lambeth Palace Road and some of the lesser known green spaces, such as Archbishops Park and the Jubilee Gardens. These play an important part in offering some respite from the hussle and bustle of the area.
The Cross River Partnership works with the London Boroughs of Westminster, Southwark, Lambeth and the Corporation of London plus bodies such as Railtrack and the London Tourist Board.
Kennington & Oval
The Kennington Oval is famous among Cricket fans the world over and features as a prominent landmark in the area.
Right opposite it is the Oval House Theatre, one of the most popular non-West End theatres of the capital. Intimate in nature it features the eclectic works of contemporary playwrights and hosts art exhibitions and workshops. The Gasworks Gallery also underlines the traditional role of Kennington and Oval as an area for the arts.
Vauxhall
Divided from the North side of Town by the River Thames, this lively area is a major gateway into the West End.
Situated just behind the Heritage Centre in Tyers Street, the Vauxhall City Farm brings the country to local urban residents and is especially popular with local schools.
Vassall
Adjacent to Oval and Kennington, and just north of Brixton, this mostly residential area is in the middle of a massive restructuring and regeneration programme.
It is also home to the much loved Onion Shed Theatre and Myatts Field Park. St John the Divine, once described by John Betjeman as the "most magnificent church in South London", can be found in the heart of this area on Vassall Road.