Borough of Lambeth

This borough situated on a sharp bend on the southern bank of the River Thames began as the ancient settlements of Water Lambeth and Lambeth Marsh.  This marshy land was drained becoming fields for small farms and market gardens that provided food for the London area.  Over time, the new middle-class moved to the area.  Among them in the mid-late 1700s were William Wilberforce and group of evangelical Christians who moved into the area of Clapham Common. Ironically, within the same neighbourhood was George Hibbert, who ran the largest trading company with Jamaica and was an opponent of Wilberforce on the Slave Trade Act. William Blake also was resident in the area in the 1790s.  The area changed again with the coming of the railway in the 1800s. The area was bombed during World War II giving way to tower blocks of housing that redefined the skyline.  After World War II, Lambeth became home to new communities of people from the Caribbean who came to work in public transport and the newly established National Health Service. Lambeth is also home to Lambeth Palace, the London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Because of the church’s connection to the government, Lambeth Palace has been a place of power struggles.  Sir Thomas More refused to recognize Henry VIII as Supreme Head of the Church of England leading to More’s execution.  Archbishop Thomas Cranmer was imprisoned in the palace and later burned at the stake.  The Palace became a military prison in the time of Cromwell. The 1951 Festival of Britain revitalised the area along the river by developing the Royal Festival Hall.  Now known as ‘South Bank’, it includes the National Theatre, the National film theatre and the Hayward Gallery.  Waterloo Station was turned into London’s first international train terminus for the Eurostar.  Situated close to Waterloo Station on the riverfront the London Eye continues to give spectators wonderful views of London.   The London Eye, formerly known as the Millennium Wheel, was built to symbolise the turning into the new Millennium.  Every New Year’s Eve since it has been the centrepiece for London’s firework display.

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