Palace Road Local Nature Reserve

Palace Road Local Nature Reserve is based on the site of two large houses and their gardens, at 34 and 36 Palace Road, which were demolished in the 1980s. The cleared land was then converted into a public open space, with a small pond and circular path network, with another pond added later.

Many trees and shrubs in the grounds of the original house have been retained in the present site, which explains the diverse mixture of native and exotic species such as ash, English oak, holm oak, whitebeam, sycamore and conifers like Cedar of Lebanon, Swamp Cypress and Coastal Redwood. The woodland understorey contains species like garden privet, holly, hawthorn, elder, cherry laurel, ivy and bramble. The site is also abundant in many different fungi, wild birds and invertebrates. The ponds are an important home for the tadpoles of frogs, toads and newts.

Further improvements have since been made to the site in partnership with Friends of Hillside Gardens and Palace Road Nature Garden. This includes additional woodland paths, a summer flowering meadow, an orchard and a colourful mural on the wall of an adjacent house created by and for the local community.

One of Lambeth's Six Local Nature Reserves

As well as being a Borough "Site of Importance for Nature Conservation" (or SINC) for the London Borough of Lambeth, the site is also one of six Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) in the borough. It was formally declared a LNR in October 2025 under powers vested in the Council  through Sections 19 and 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. Both designations recognise Palace Road LNR's importance not just as a place for wildlife to survive and develop, but also as a place for people living and working in Lambeth and London to enjoy access to nature.

It is also one of Lambeth's Green Flag Award-winning parks, and is also holder of a coveted ‘Conservation Area’ award from London In Bloom. These awards recognise the achievements made to provide visitors to and residents of Lambeth with a clean, safe, welcoming and popular open space they can all be proud of.

Other useful information

Friends of Hillside Gardens Park and Palace Road Nature Garden - Friends of Hillside Gardens And Palace Road Nature Garden

Green Flag Award – Green Flag Award

London in Bloom - London In Bloom

Creating a Local Nature Reserve - Local Nature Reserve