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 wildlife-friendly areas.
Archbishop's Park is one of Lambeth's six Green Flag Award-winning parks, having secured this prestigious title in 2009. The Green Flag Award recognises the considerable achievements made together by residents and council to provide the local community with a quality green space we can all be proud of.
The park is popular with commuters between 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)
Facilities
- Children's play area (dog free)
- Toilets
- 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 Archbishop's Park - email: f.archbishops@btinternet.com
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 steadily improved with the addition of multi-use game and tennis courts, refurbishment and 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 to the north of the park is being led by Guy's and St Thomas Charity and is likely to provide benefits for Archbishop's Park. The development is due to start in 2009 and run until 2013, providing accommodation for key workers from the hospital.
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 funding to be invested in improving Archbishop's Park. Details of how the development will fund improvements to Archbishop's Park are still being finalised, but it is expected that the park will receive quality facilities that meet the needs of present and future generations.
In 2008 Lambeth Council, The Friends of Archbishop's Park and the Garden Museum worked 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.
The Friends of Archbishop's Park, through the Big Lottery Fund's Breathing Places scheme, have provided funding for the project, which has dramatically transformed the landscaping and planting in St Mary's Gardens.
Friends of Archbishop's Park
The Friends of Archbishop's Park represent those living around and using the park, playing an important role in its management and development for present and future generations. They also organise regular meetings and events. To join or find out more, please contact the Friends by email at f.archbishopspark@btinternet.com or go to their website.
Help us look after Archbishop's Park
Lambeth Parks and Greenspaces manages Archbishop Park, which is patrolled by the Lambeth Park Rangers.
The park 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