“Lambeth stretches all the way from the buzzing, touristy Southbank to the calm greenery of Clapham Common, with a myriad of different urban centres and communities in between”
Moving to Lambeth
If you want to understand the breadth and diversity of this south-western London borough, take a trip on one of its most famous landmarks – the London Eye. From these glass capsules you can see how this densely populated borough stretches all the way from the buzzing, touristy Southbank to the calm greenery of Clapham Common, with a myriad of different urban centres and communities in between.
As well as being the 4th most densely populated area in Britain, this is also one of the most vibrant boroughs in the capital, with a culturally diverse population and an eclectic selection of landmarks ranging from the feast of sights and smells at Brixton Market to the iconic red O-X-O of the OXO Tower. It is famous for offering locals a vibrant mix of vintage markets, award-winning wine bars and thriving arts facilities such as those on the Southbank, as well as nightlife to rival Central London.
Lambeth is a relatively youthful borough, and the dynamic lifestyle here is dominated by the fast pace of the younger generation as well as the large population of working professionals, who come here seeking excellent transport links, a cosmopolitain social scene, and relatively affordable housing.
House prices in Lambeth
Average house prices in Lambeth are close to the London average, at about £680,000 as of 2020, and due to the size and breadth of the borough it’s possible to find a real range of properties from family friendly homes in more suburban areas such as West Norwood, to lavish apartments overlooking the river at Waterloo. Clapham and Brixton are very popular with students and young professionals, while the southern areas of Streatham and Tulse Hill tend to be better suited for families seeking more space and a quieter nightlife.
“Lambeth is a relatively youthful borough, and the dynamic lifestyle here is dominated by the fast pace of the younger generation as well as the large population of working professionals”
Travelling in Lambeth
As the busiest underground station in London, Waterloo provides valuable links to commuters travelling both in and out of London with National Rail services and access to the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, Waterloo, and City lines for speedy commutes all over the city.
From the north of the borough all the way down to Clapham Common, multiple stations on the Northern Underground line provides locals and commuters with efficient transport links from the fringe of central London towards the outskirts of the borough. This is supported by Victoria Underground line which crosses at Stockwell and ends at Brixton, the Jubilee line which twists through Waterloo and the Bakerloo line, which has its final stop at Elephant & Castle. National Rail lines and bus services also service the borough well to aid efficient travel throughout the capital and beyond.
Restaurants in Lambeth
If you’re seeking an eclectic mix of restaurants, Lambeth has you covered – from authentic Ghanian cuisine in Brixton to wine bars on Southbank, there’s something for every palate. Top spots in Brixton include Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen, Boqueria tapas bar, and Franco Manca, while if you’re seeking the kitchen stars of tomorrow the containers at POP Brixton are full of brilliant street food offerings from imaginative chefs. In Clapham, high-street favourites such as Byron Burger, Nando’s and Strada sit alongside the likes of The Dairy and public-toilet-turned-wine-bar WC Clapham, while Southbank offers many good post-theatre options. After dark, Lambeth comes alive with young professionals and students heading out to bars and clubs across the borough, with choices stretching from the many bars and pubs of Brixton, Clapham, Vauxhall and Southbank to renowned late-night clubs such as Corsica Studios, Fire and The Lightbox.
Shopping facilities in the borough are less varied, with many residents choosing make the quick journey into Central London for a day of retail therapy rather than stay within the borough. However, high-street brands such as New Look, TK Maxx and H&M can all be found in Brixton and others on Clapham High Street, while throughout the borough there are opportunities for vintage shopping and independent boutiques on the likes of Abbeville Road, Brixton Station Road and around Waterloo.
Food shopping in Lambeth
From Tesco to Sainsbury’s, through to Lidl and Iceland, the excellent selection of supermarkets in Lambeth mean you’ll never be more than a short walk away from one. Alternative options can be found in multicultural Brixton, which has an array of international grocers and supermarkets, including Wing Tai and Africa Shopping Centre as well as Brixton Market. Abbeville Road in Clapham is packed with independent food shops and delicatessens too, such as MacFarlanes Deli and the famed Ginger Pig butcher.
Gyms in Lambeth
Many fitness facilities can be found in the London Borough of Lambeth, ranging from branches of Virgin Active, PureGym, The Gym and Fitness First to council-run services such as Clapham Leisure Centre. The borough is also home to a good selection of specialist gyms and studios, including Hot Power Yoga, In2Crossfit and Fierce Grace. If you’d prefer to exercise in the great outdoors, there are numerous outdoor gyms on Clapham Common, and Brockwell Lido is the top choice for an al-fresco swim.
Culture
As the home of London’s buzzing Southbank as well as vibrant Brixton, Lambeth is one of the capital’s cultural hubs with an excellent assortment of theatres, galleries and historic sites as well as fine museums, film venues and more. The National Theatre is located here, as well as the Southbank Centre and Hayward Gallery, while the Vaults Theatre regularly plays host to quirky events. Further down the riverside you’ll find the London Aquarium, London Eye and historic Lambeth Palace, while if you travel further south to Brixton there are a selection of top-notch music venues, including the 02 Academy.
Meanwhile, film fans are utterly spoilt for choice with Hollywood blockbusters showing at the Odeon Streatham and the British Film Institute Imax at Waterloo, the eclectic programme at the Ritzy Cinema in Brixton and the independent, art-house Clapham Picturehouse.
“From the north of the borough all the way down to Clapham Common, multiple stations on the Northern Underground line provides locals and commuters with efficient transport links from the fringe of central London towards the outskirts of the borough”
School and education
While not traditionally renowned for the quality of its schools, Lambeth is rapidly improving and a number of excellent educational institutions can now be found here. Primary schools are particularly good in Lambeth, with Elm Wood School, Paxton Primary School and Vauxhall Primary Schools among the 22 schools in the borough where over 90% of pupils reach government targets in English and Maths. For older children in the borough, Plantains College and La Retraite RC Girl’s School are both sought-after secondary schools, while Streatham and Clapham High School is the leading independent option.
Safety
Lambeth has one of the highest crime rates among London boroughs, although not every neighbourhood is created equally – Southbank has problems with theft due to the high number of tourists, while certain areas of Brixton have struggled with violent crime and gun issues over the years. However, the borough does have a vigilant police force who are working hard to bring crime rates down.
Green space
Despite being home to bustling, built-up areas such as Waterloo, Lambeth still offers a good section of parks and green spaces for nature-loving residents to enjoy. Top parks in the borough include Brockwell Park, home to a colourful 1930s lido, and Clapham Common, which straddles the border of Lambeth and Wandsworth and is a hub of the community with outdoor gyms, running tracks, and three picturesque ponds.
How can OneDome help me move to Lambeth?
We are the first website in the UK capable of connecting every step of both home buying and selling. If you’re a homebuyer for example, you can use OneDome to not only find a property in Lambeth, but connect with estate agents, get a mortgage, and complete conveyancing as well. The best part? Everything is done online and in one place, meaning drastically reduced paperwork, phone calls, and trips to the post office.
For more information on how we can help you move to Lambeth, get in touch with our experts on 020 3868 6262 today. Or, click here to check out our explainer video, which breaks down exactly how OneDome works