Archbishop's Park
Archbishop's Park is a historic park adjacent to Lambeth Palace. Facilities include an all-weather games area, tennis and netball courts, a children's play area and a putting green.
The park is very popular with commuters at Waterloo Station and Westminster, as well as footballers and tennis players from both sides of the Thames. Take time out to walk along the Millennium Path, which offers a great insight into Lambeth's history.
Address: Carlisle Lane, SE1 7LE
Tube: Waterloo (Northern, Waterloo and City, Bakerloo and Jubilee lines), 0.2 miles (0.4km)
Rail: Waterloo (South West Trains) 0.2 miles (0.4km) – regular trains to and from Vauxhall, Clapham Junction and South West
Bus: 3, 12, 53, 77, 159 (to/from Brixton, Kennington, Elephant and Castle, Vauxhall, Waterloo and Westminster)
See location map for Archbishop's Park
Facilities
- Children's play area (dog free)
- Sports facilities:
- All Weather Pitch - Redgra type surface: chargeable; booking required.
- Cricket nets: free / booking required.
- Netball court: chargeable; booking required.
- Tennis courts - charges apply during the following hours only:
Monday-Friday: 4pm-9pm
Sat, Sun, Bank Holidays: 9am-7pm
Adults £4/hr; Under 16s free.
Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) manages sports bookings in our parks. Please call them on 0845 130 8998 to make a booking.
- 'Friends of' group - please contact us for details.
Opening times
The park opens by 7.30am each morning and is closed approximately 15 minutes before sunset. See opening and closing times
History
Archbishop's Park was originally part of the grounds of nearby Lambeth Palace, the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury since the 13th Century. Archbishop Tait, appointed in 1869, was concerned about the wellbeing of the poor and underprivileged in London. He opened up the grounds of Lambeth Palace to local families, which enabled 'scores of pale children to play often in the fresh air.' A section of the grounds known locally as 'Lambeth Palace Field' was put aside for children to play in and for ball games and continued to be used long after Archbishop Tait's death in 1882.
In 1900 it was decided that Lambeth Palace Field should be turned into a public park for permanent access, but still under the ownership of the Church Commissioners. In 1901 Archbishop's Park was officially opened to the public and a children's playground built in the park along with courts for ball games.
Over time, Archbishop's Park has gradually improved, with the addition of multi-use game and tennis courts, enlargement of the playground, creation of two new garden features, including one at the northern end of the site dedicated to Octavia Hill, the famous social campaigner and founder of the National Trust.
New developments at Archbishop's Park
The Founder's Place development, immediately to the north of the park and being led by Guy's and St Thomas Charity, is likely to provide significant benefits for Archbishop's Park. The development is expected to start in 2009 and run until 2013, providing accommodation for 400 key workers from Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals.
There will be a children's nursery for hospital staff and rooms available for the families of sick children undergoing treatment at the new Evelina Children's Hospital, which is part of St Thomas' Hospital. This development will also provide new health facilities, private and affordable flats, and release substantial funding to be invested in improving the environment and landscape of Archbishop's Park. Details of how the development will fund actual improvements to Archbishop's Park have yet to be finalised, but it is expected that the park will receive quality facilities that meet the needs of present and future generations.
Lambeth Council, The Friends of Archbishop's Park and the Museum of Garden History are working in partnership with Veolia (ES) UK, Lambeth's waste and ground maintenance contractor, to make major improvements to St Mary's Gardens, a small open space next to Lambeth Palace. Veolia ES and the Friends of Archbishop's Park, through The Big Lottery Fund's Breathing Places scheme, have provided funding for the project, which will dramatically transform the landscaping and planting in St Mary's Gardens.
Friends of Archbishop's Park
The Friends of Archbishop's Park represent those who live around and use the park, playing an important role in its management and development for present and future generations. They organise regular meetings and events. To join or find out more, please contact Lambeth Parks - email: parks@lambeth.gov.uk or tel: 0207 926 9000.
Help us look after Archbishop's Park
Lambeth Parks and Greenspaces manages Archbishop Park, which is patrolled by the Lambeth Park Rangers. The park also comes under the area patrolled by Bishop's Safer Neighbourhoods Team of the Lambeth Borough Police, who work in close partnership with Lambeth Council, Park Rangers and the Friends of Archbishop's Park to ensure that it provides a safe and welcoming environment.
Archbishop's Park welcomes responsible dog walkers, but some areas are dog free, including the children's playground, tennis and games courts. This is for the comfort and safety of children, carers and players and to help protect wildlife. The majority of the park can be used for exercising dogs off the lead, but please dispose of any waste properly.
For more information on Archbishop's Park and how to help us keep it clean, green and safe, please contact us on 0207 926 9000 or email us at parks@lambeth.gov.uk.
Further information