From pinched Old Queen Street, the Broad Sanctuary opens up wide ahead – boasting the twin towers of Westminster Abbey’s west end.
Turn north for its medieval majesty and east for its English perpendicular chapel echoed in the Palace of Westminster opposite. In front the great survivor, the Great Hall has witnessed 900 years of lawmaking.
Pull away – the Thames is in sight, rubbing up against Victoria Tower Gardens.
Here Lambeth Palace beckons.
It’s time to cross from north bank to south.
A shoreline once thick with high factory chimneys is now thick with high rise homes – the frontage of Doulton’s pottery a lonely reminder of that past. With dining, dancing, music and misconduct, Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens were an escape from the city – revived today without their 18th century reputation.
Nearby Vauxhall Park would have succumbed to Victorian developers but for campaigners and today provides a respite from neighbouring and overbearing blocks. Demolition of adjacent slums was interrupted by the war. The 1950s saw a new neighbourhood of council homes, with delightful sculptures of children at play on its walls.
Clapham Road is a fitting end, where Annie Mc Call one of our first women doctors provided care for poor women from her own home.
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THE GUIDING
A B A –
Section 8 of the Ultimate London Walk September 2026.
This section shifted pace a bit. Once we crossed the river at Lambeth Bridge, we left the bustle behind and entered a fascinating neighborhood with plenty of green spaces.
The pre-walk information was excellent. The detailed email regarding meeting points, potential toilet stops, and terrain made it easy to prepare and pack appropriately. Additionally, the group size was ideal—everyone could hear clearly and walk at their own pace without feeling rushed.
Finally, our guide, Charlie, was outstanding. He was attentive, passionate about sharing his knowledge, and very open to input from the group.
ant –
walk 8: Starting with Royalty, Palaces and Abbey, this could be a tour on its own. Charley tactfully keeps us on the move with our Ultimate Walk in mind and yet still shared engaging and interesting information along the way. Crossing the river felt a leap on this walk as moving north to south of the river and over a half way point. Vauxhall has certainly changed and is a complete contrast to the first part of the walk. Charley was able to explain and bring the area alive. How he recalls all the information I will never know….. a real gem. Thank you.
Jacky –
Our Merrie Band of Pilgrims continue the Ultimate London Walk!
We set off in the afternoon through Westminster, past the Houses of Parliament.
Randomly a small fleet of gentlemen riding Penny Farthings passed us by.
Once over Lambeth Bridge we were in another world, walking through the (in)famous Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens mentioned by Samuel Pepys – today a valued outside space with a small theatre café & city farm.
Charlie got into his stride again with London planning issues and we walked through Bonnington Square, made famous in the 1980’s when all the houses, vacant and awaiting demolition, were squatted and restored – the community created then continues to the present day.
What’s good about this walk is you see so much you would otherwise miss in the hurry of the day-to-day. It’s a chance to step back and experience a different and intimate side to London.
Dorothy MacDonald –
After the splendour of Westminster Abbey and Westminster Palace with all it’s history we cross the Thames to what was a more industrial part of London, all full of interest and stories and some great views along the Thames. All the different residential areas are so different so where will our path lead us next and what will it reveal?