Local history
Lambeth appears in Domesday Book of 1086 as Lanchei. It was held partly by Lambeth Church and partly by Count Robert of Mortain. Its domesday assets were: 2½ hides; 1 church, 10 ploughs, 22 acres of meadow, woodland worth 3 hogs, 19 burgesses in London paid £1 16s 0d. It rendered £15.
Today, Lambeth is one of 13 local authorities that make up inner London. From the Thames in the north to its southern boundary, Lambeth covers seven miles and from east to west is about two and half miles wide, and with over a quarter of a million residents has the highest population density of the London boroughs.
Our local history walks provide a great way to learn about the borough's rich and diverse history. Download our leaflets for guidance and maps.
Look through Lambeth's visual archives online. Landmark is a showcase for the best 6,000 images from the Lambeth Archives collection of 35,000 old photographs, drawings, prints and water colours.
Read histories of the borough and the various areas within.
In the 18th century Lambeth played its part in both the slave trade and its eventual abolition. March 2007 marked the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade, and throughout the year Lambeth ran a series of events to commemorate this.
Guidance on how to find out about the history of your Lambeth house.
Using a generous selection of historic photos, maps and documents from the local history collections of south London boroughs, the Ideal Homes website explores the origins and significance of suburbia.
Local History Organisations