From the South Bank to Brixton
The northern tip of Lambeth is one of the most visited stretches of the Thames. The London Eye, the Southbank Centre and the National Theatre sit along the river walk opposite Westminster, and Waterloo station, one of the busiest in Britain, is on their doorstep. Further upstream, Lambeth Palace has been the London residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury for around eight centuries. Next door, the Garden Museum occupies a former church.
South of Kennington and the Oval cricket ground, the borough changes pace. Brixton is known for its markets, Caribbean heritage, Electric Avenue and the O2 Academy music venue, while Clapham, Herne Hill, West Norwood and Streatham each have their own high streets and commons.
Places worth knowing
- London Eye and the South Bank – river views, theatres and galleries.
- Lambeth Palace and the Garden Museum – history beside the Thames.
- The Oval – Test match and county cricket.
- Brixton Village and Market Row – covered markets with food from around the world.
Getting in and out
Waterloo has mainline trains to the south-west and four Underground lines. Vauxhall has the Victoria line and a busy bus station, and Brixton is the southern end of the Victoria line. Overground and Thameslink services cross the south of the borough. The A3, A23 and A24 run south from the river.
Airport transfers from Lambeth
Heathrow is reached via Vauxhall and the A4 or the South Circular. Gatwick is often convenient via the A23 from Brixton and Streatham. London City is reached across the river and along the Embankment or via Rotherhithe Tunnel. For Waterloo-area hotels, we plan for traffic around the station and the South Bank.
See our Gatwick Airport transfers and Heathrow Airport transfers pages.
Pickup tips for this borough
Roads around Waterloo station and the South Bank have bus lanes, taxi ranks and limited stopping places. We agree a precise meeting point in advance. Brixton's town centre is very busy on market days and evenings, so a side-street pickup is usually quicker.
Frequently asked questions
Is the London Eye in Lambeth?
Yes. The London Eye and most of the South Bank cultural quarter are in Lambeth, opposite the Houses of Parliament.
Which airport is best for Brixton and Streatham?
Gatwick is often the most convenient via the A23, with Heathrow as an alternative depending on traffic.
Can you collect from Waterloo station?
Yes. We confirm a meeting point near the station that avoids bus lanes and taxi ranks.