• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
    • First Time Here?
    • Archive
    • London Blogs
  • Blog
  • Travel
    • London Theater Tickets
    • Shopping
    • Tips
    • Tours
    • Transport
    • Maps
    • Parks
    • Resources
    • Restaurants
    • Top 10 London
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Buildings
    • Food
    • London Books
    • Movies
    • Museums
    • Music
    • Pubs
  • Londonism
    • Reviews
    • Fun London
    • Iconic London
    • Life in London
    • London Realities
    • Moving to London
    • Politics
  • The Tube
  • London History
    • Great London Buildings
    • Great Londoners
  • Contact
  • Guidebooks
    • 101 London Travel Tips – Guidebook
    • 101 Free Things to do in London

Londontopia

The Website for People Who Love London

You are here: Home / Guides / Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Lambeth

Top Ten London: Top 10 Things to See and Do in Lambeth

Apr 22, 2019 By John Rabon

The London district of Lambeth is certainly one of the most happening places in the city, owing perhaps to its location along the banks of the River Thames.  The area gives its name to the larger borough of which it is part and derived from Lambehitha or “landing place for lambs,” shortened to Lambeth by 1255.  The manor of Lambeth was in the ownership of the Archbishop of Canterbury and grew into one of the most densely populated areas of South London.  Today, it houses many of the city’s best attractions, and while we have identified ten of our favorites, you can let us know your own favorite Lambeth spots in the comments.

London Dungeon

More or less a tourist trap, the London Dungeon is still worth it for its opportunity to let you delve into the goriest and most terrifying moments in the city’s history.  The dungeon features several notorious persons and events from London’s past, including Jack the Ripper and Guy Fawkes as well as the Black Death and the Great Fire.  Of course, it’s not too scary as it’s all meant to be in good fun, so don’t feel too terrible about bringing your children along.

Lambeth Palace

Lambeth Palace is the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Church of England’s highest position (not counting the Queen who is the head of the church).  The Community of Saint Anselm, a religious order under the Archbishop’s patronage, also calls Lambeth home.  Its importance and Tudor-style architecture has netted it Grade I listed status, and the palace is available to tour so you can learn everything about its 800-year history and relationship with the Church of England.

London Eye

While this has been included in plenty of top ten lists before, the London Eye still merits a spot when talking about Lambeth.  This Thames-based attraction offers a unique chance to see the city as your spin around the cantilevered observation wheel.  Dubbed “flights,” each trip lasts about thirty minutes and can be booked as a group, or you can reserve a solo flight for a greater cost.  For a bit more money, you can opt for champagne or chocolate with your flight.

Garden Museum

Once known as the Museum of Garden History, this often-overlooked London museum is dedicated to all things that grow and the development of gardens over the centuries.  Its collections include gardening tools, designs, art, and the evolution of gardening.  The museum is housed in the former church of St. Mary of Lambeth, it displays a great example of the repurposing of old buildings and is a must visit for anyone with a green thumb.

Cinema Museum

Fans of classic cinema houses will want to visit the Cinema Museum in Lambeth. The museum was formed in 1986, and the current building has its own cinema history as Charlie Chaplin lived here when it was a workhouse.  Open for pre-booked tours throughout the year, the museum’s collection began with a collection of lobby cards and now includes film and projection equipment, posters, publications, uniforms, and items remaining from now-demolished cinemas from across the United Kingdom.  In the days of multiplexes and corporate-owned cinemas, Cinema Museum is a great reminder of days gone by.

Florence Nightingale Museum

Dedicated to history’s most famous nurse, the Florence Nightingale Museum is appropriately enough located in St. Thomas’ Hospital.  Of course, much of the museum’s collection focuses on Nightingale’s life, but it also takes great care to show you the continuing legacy that she had on the profession of nursing.   Presently the museum has an exhibit focusing on the Nightingale Training School, that produced some of the first generations of nurses using her methods as well as exhibits on the Crimean War and the Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918.

Young Vic

An offshoot of its parent theater, The Old Vic, The Young Vic was built to showcase plays and talent “now and in the future.”  As such, its repertoire and company tend to focus more on newer plays and upcoming actors.  This can bring an interesting mix of contemporary and experimental plays.  The building was constructed in 1970 and only meant to last five years, but has since become permanent.  It’s one of the city’s best theaters in the round, meaning audiences get a 360-degree view of the stage and the players.

Old Vic

One of the grandest theaters in London, the Old Vic tends to host more traditional plays, though this doesn’t limit its repertoire as it has also been known to host contemporary pieces.  It has been in the entertainment business since 1818 when it was known as the Royal Coburg Theatre.  The theater also sponsors a younger company of actors that have provided Britain with several of its famous names, and it is highly likely that you will be able to witness some of Britain’s greatest and most famous talents at one of the Old Vic’s shows.

Sea Life Aquarium

Sea Life London Aquarium opened in 1997 and has more than 500 species of marine life spread out over 14 different themed zones.  From an amazing Rainforest Adventure to the Seahorse Kingdom, there’s a lot to explore and opportunities to get up close and personal with the aquarium’s inhabitants through portholes and tunnels that allow you to be fully immersed in their lives.  You may wonder what to do if you’re traveling in London without kids, but the aquarium is fun for all ages.

Imperial War Museum London

The primary location of the Imperial War Museums, the London museum focuses on modern conflicts from World War I to the present day.  IWM London has an extensive collection of items from World War II.  After you’re finished with World War II, you can move onto the Cold War and see how the shifting alliances at the end of the war helped to set up the political conflict with the Soviet Union.  The museum is funded by government grants, charitable donations, and commercial activity, so there’s no cost to enter.

John Rabon
Author: John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

close

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Share this:

  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Pocket

Filed Under: Featured, Guides

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

About John Rabon

John is a regular writer for Anglotopia and its sister websites. He is currently engaged in finding a way to move books slightly to the left without the embarrassment of being walked in on by Eddie Izzard. For any comments, questions, or complaints, please contact the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson's haircut.

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Our Free London Updates

Free London News

Get the latest news on London history, culture, travel, exhibitions, and more right in your inbox!

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Get the Anglotopia/Londontopia App

Our Advertisers

If you are a mobile gamer, you may want to take a look at UK’s new mobile casinos and slots reviewed by NewCasinoUK.

Join the London Forum

  • Mudlarking
  • MY FAVOURITE PLACE IN LONDON
  • What's Your Favorite Place in London?
  • Paddington Station

London Guide

  • Ten Cheap Things You Can Do in London on a Budget
  • Ten London Exhibitions to Look Forward to in 2023
  • London’s Non-Free Museums: Your Guide to London’s Museums That Charge Admission
  • Trip Planning: Top 10 Exhibitions To Plan Your 2018 Trips to London Around
  • London Guide: Our Favorite Restaurants in London – London Restaurant Recommendations for Americans – What’s Your Favorite?

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • RSS Feed
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Support Londontopia

Search our Extensive Archive

Top 10 London

  • Ten Unusual Exhibits to See in London
  • London Pubs: Ten Thameside Pubs for a Pint and a View
  • Top 10 London: Ten More Things to Do Along the River Thames
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Shopping Centers in London
  • Museums of London: Ten Overlooked London Museums
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haggerston
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Haringey
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Redbridge
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to See and Do in Hillingdon
  • Top 10 London: Top Ten Things to Do in Canonbury

Recent Posts

  • More than 200 looks to feature in V&A exhibition on Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel
  • Souls Grown Deep like the Rivers: Black Artists from the American South at The Royal Academy
  • National Portrait Gallery to reopen with exhibition on pioneering color photographer
  • London Eye gets spring clean to mark start of the season
  • Natural History Museum named most visited indoor UK attraction again
  • The Ugly Duchess: Beauty and Satire in the Renaissance at the National Gallery
  • Gatwick returns to profit as air travel bounces back
  • Sir Mark Rylance brings role as Dr Semmelweis to West End
  • Shire horses prepare Tower of London moat for next wildflower display
  • In Video: Watch pianist Lang Lang perform at St Pancras station

Best Posts on Londontopia

  • 101 London Travel Tips
  • Top 100 London Attractions
  • How to Find the Cheapest Airfares to London
  • 10 Things NOT to do in London
  • Best London Guidebooks
  • 101 Free Things to do in London
  • London Lingo – A London Word Dictionary
  • Top 7 Tips for Doing London on the Cheap
  • Top 11 Myths American Believe about London
  • Guide to Eating in London
  • Best Times of Year to Travel to London
  • London Packing Tips
  • Top 11 Movies Set in London
  • Top Attractions off the Tourist Track
  • Top 5 Most Amazing London Hotels
  • Top 10 Hostels in London
  • Best Views in London Restuarants
  • London Taxi Ettiquette
  • Top 12 London Views
  • Great Fire of London
  • A Guide to Five of London’s Bridges
  • 10 Random Facts and Figures about Trafalgar Square
  • Top 100 British Slang Words

London Places to Explore

Bloomsbury Buckingham Palace Canary Wharf City of London Covent Garden Cutty Sark Greenwich Hampstead Hampton Court Palace Heathrow Houses of Parliament Hyde Park Imperial War Museum Islington Kensington Kensington Palace Leicester Square London London Eye London Transport Museum Museum of London National Gallery Notting Hill Piccadilly Circus Putney Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Regent's Street Royal Academy Selfridges Somerset House Southbank Southwark St Pancras St Paul's Cathedral Tate Britain Tate Modern The City Tower Bridge Tower of London Trafalgar Square V&A Wandsworth West End Westminster Westminster Abbey

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Recent Videos

Walk Around London Virtually Right Now – Watched Walker is the YouTube Channel We All Need Right Now

Jason Hawkes Shares a Beautiful Video of London From Above That We All Need Right now

London Tube: You’ve Got to Watch This Amazing Mesmerizing Animation That Shows the Real Geography of the London Underground

Video: The Basics of Crossrail – London’s New Underground Line

London History: The Place Where Old London Double Decker Buses Went to Die

London Video: A Look at the Great Smog of London

10 Interesting Facts about the Hammersmith and City Line

Nearly half of Londoners have used Elizabeth line so far – survey

Tube and London bus fares to rise by nearly 6% from March

What is Crossrail 2 and What is Its Current Status?

London Alert: Strike by London Underground workers to go ahead after last-minute talks fail

London Mayor hails Elizabeth line as direct routes and Sunday services begin

Footer

About Londontopia

Londontopia is simply the website for people who love London. It was founded by Jonathan & Jackie Thomas from Anglotopia.net as a place to post articles solely focused on London and its environs. Keep up with all the latest London news at Londontopia! This site is geared towards people who love to visit London and our primary audience is North American but everyone is welcome!

When We’re in London Next

We don’t currently have any travel plans to London but hope to visit at some point in 2021.

  • SEO Backlinks
  • Travel Blog

SIGN-UP FOR FREE LONDON WEEKLY UPDATES!

Please enter a valid email address
That address is already in use
The security code entered was incorrect
Thanks for signing up

Copyright © 2023 Anglotopia, LLC · Website Developed by Anglotopia, LLC · Log in