Events

See how a neighbourhood has been transformed over time from quiet fields to a leading musical venue, to industrial heartland. And now gleaming towers of the new Vauxhall. How did it happen? How did people survive and adapt? How music kept them going and art gave them hope. Come and find out on this circular walk starting at iconic and glorious Vauxhall rail station.

It is well known that in Shakespeare’s time south of the Thames to the east was famous for guilty pleasures such as bear baiting and brothels but by the 17th and 18th century, further west at Vauxhall, on a summer’s evening, large numbers of Londoners would cross to the south bank of the Thames to partake of pleasures sweet and musical at the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. By the 19th century the music hall arrived to sooth the evenings of the many workers toiling in the industry that lined the river and polluted the air at Vauxhall. Vauxhall products became famous, world-renowned composers performed here, comedian Charlie Chaplin visited and some employers found ways to improve the lot of their workers giving them hope of a better future.

This walk explores the universal themes of work and play in the local setting of Vauxhall, as it emerged into the neighbourhood, we have today. On this walk discover the essence of this enigmatic corner of the capital at Vauxhall on the river.

The walk is led by Barbara Wright qualified Lambeth and Westminster Guide – Barbara has worked as a town planner and on regeneration projects in London over many years.

This walk is part of Lambeth Heritage month September 2026.