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 nine Green Flag Award-winning parks, having first 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
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, but still under 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, a popular and welcoming playground, creation of new garden features, including one at the northern end of the site dedicated to Octavia Hill, a 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 will provide benefits for Archbishop's Park. 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 on these 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.
A new community orchard was opened in 2010 in the north-western corner of Archbishop's Park to help open up and improve what had been until recently an underused and tired looking part of the park. Funding and support have been provided by the London Orchard Project, Veolia (ES) UK, Lambeth's waste and ground maintenance contractor, and Lambeth Council to plant 25 fruit tree saplings.
The varieties of tree used are typical of what would have been planted on this same site up to 200 years ago, when much of north Lambeth was covered with orchards and market gardens. The new orchard will also attract wildlife and act as a focal point for school activities and local volunteering.
The children's playground at Archbishop's Park, already a popular and attractive feature, has recently been extended through funding secured by the Friends of Archbishop's Park from the Big Lottery Fund and Western Riverside Environment Fund. The new playground has a colourful 'nautical adventure' theme, with equipment which meets the needs and ideas of local children consulted on the project.
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 the Friends of Archbishop's Park website.
Help us look after Archbishop's Park
Archbishop's Park is maanged by Lambeth Parks and Greenspaces, which comes within the Lambeth North Parks Area.
It comes comes under the area patrolled by Bishop's Safer Neighbourhoods Team of the Lambeth Borough Police, who work in partnership with Lambeth Council 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