Lambeth Area Guide [Updated with 2024 Data]

What’s it like to live in Lambeth?

Living in Lambeth can be both exciting and challenging, as it is a diverse borough with a rich history and culture, but also faces issues such as crime and affordability. The cost of living can vary depending on the area, with some parts being more affordable than others. For example, areas like Streatham and West Norwood offer a more affordable cost of living, while nowadays Clapham and Brixton tend to be pricier.

Lambeth offers a wide range of amenities and attractions. The borough has several large parks such as Brockwell Park and Clapham Common, plus there are many bars, restaurants, and markets throughout the borough, including the famous Brixton Market. Several museums are situated in the borough, including the Florence Nightingale Museum and Garden Museum (and the Imperial War Museum is just outside the borough’s borders) whilst attractions such as the London Eye, National Theatre and Southbank Centre on the south bank of the Thames draw residents and visitors from around the world. 

As a centrally located borough, transport links in Lambeth are generally good. The hub station of Waterloo connects the borough with many destinations inside and outside of London, plus the Victoria, Jubilee, Bakerloo and Northern underground lines pass through areas within the borough.

There are several highly rated primary and secondary schools in Lambeth. The borough is also home to Lambeth College, which offers a range of vocational courses and apprenticeships.

Lambeth has an above average crime rate relative to other London boroughs. This is in part due to parts of the borough being tourist hotspots, but also areas such as Brixton have had historical issues with crime.

This guide provides an overview of important statistics about the borough and how it compares to other boroughs in London.

How much does it cost to buy a house in Lambeth?

Properties in Lambeth on average cost £501,094.00, ranking the borough as the 16 most affordable borough in London, according to data from HM Land Registry. 

Lambeth has a mix of both expensive and more affordable areas. Areas such as Clapham, Brixton, and Herne Hill tend to be more expensive, while areas such as West Norwood and Streatham can be more affordable.

How much does it cost to rent in Lambeth?

According to data from the ONS:

• A studio costs on average £1,205 per month to rent which ranks 25 as the most affordable borough in London
• A one bedroom property costs on average £1,640 per month to rent which ranks 24 as the most affordable borough in London
• A two bedroom property costs on average £1,952 per month to rent which ranks 23 as the most affordable borough in London
• A three bedroom property costs on average £2,584 per month to rent which ranks 25 as the most affordable borough in London
• A four or more bedroom property costs on average £3,470 per month to rent which ranks 24 as the most affordable borough in London

How many people live in Lambeth?

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Housing, it has 144000 in total, ranking 4 of London boroughs by number of dwellings.

According to data from the ONS:

• 14.3% of households are owned outright
• 28.3% of households are being bought with a mortgage
• 27.7% of households are rented from the local authority of housing association
• 27.7% of households are privately rented

Is Lambeth a good place to live?

Although determining whether an area is a good place to live is subjective, we can use data on personal wellbeing collected by the ONS through the Annual Population Survey as an indicator to compare boroughs:

• Lambeth ranks 32 of 32 boroughs in terms of life satisfaction (i.e. ‘how satisfied are you with your life?’)
• Lambeth ranks 29 of 32 boroughs in terms of ‘worthwhile’ (i.e. ‘to what extent do you feel things you do in your life are worthwhile?’)
• Lambeth ranks 31 of 32 boroughs in terms of happiness (i.e. ‘how happy did you feel yesterday?’)
• Lambeth ranks 31 of 32 boroughs in terms of anxiousness (i.e. ‘how anxious did you feel yesterday?’)

What schools are there in Lambeth and are they good?

In total Lambeth has 99 schools, which are broken down into:

• 60 state primary schools
• 19 state secondary schools
• 8 independent schools

Some of the primary schools in Lambeth include Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School, St. John the Divine Church of England Primary School, and Sudbourne Primary School.Secondary  schools in the area include Bishop Thomas Grant Catholic Secondary School, Evelyn Grace Academy, and Platanos College. Lambeth also has a number of colleges and sixth forms. Lambeth College and St. Francis Xavier Sixth Form College offer a range of vocational and academic courses.

For a breakdown of all schools in the area and their latest ratings, search Ofsted’s reports.

Is Lambeth polluted?

According to data from the GLA and TFL Air Quality:

• Lambeth ranks 24 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest NO2 concentration
• Lambeth ranks 24 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM2 concentration
• Lambeth ranks 23 of 32 boroughs in terms of lowest PM10 concentration

What is the employment rate in Lambeth?

The employment rate in Lambeth is 83.5% which ranks 4 of 32 boroughs in terms of highest employment rate.

Employment rate is important to know for those considering moving to the area, as it can provide an indication of the job market and economic opportunities available in the borough.

Is Lambeth a wealthy area?

The average income in Lambeth is £56,100 according to data from HMRC. This ranks 13 of London’s boroughs (ranked by highest average income). 

Lambeth is a very diverse borough. While there are certainly pockets of affluence, it is generally not considered a wealthy area overall.

Is Lambeth a religious area?

Like the rest of London, Lambeth has a mix of cultures and religions. According to the ONS:

• 44.4% of the resident population identifies as Christian
• 10.6% of the resident population identifies as Muslim
• 2.2% of the resident population identifies as Hindu
• 0.0% of the resident population identifies as Sikh
• 0.0% of the resident population identifies as Jewish
• 4.4% of the resident population do not identify as religious

How large is Lambeth?

Lambeth is 26.8 km2, making it the 25th largest borough in London.

Its population is estimated as 343,982 according to data from the GLA, ranking it 7 as the most populous borough.

Its population per km2 is 12,830, ranking it 5 as the most populous per km2 borough.

Is Lambeth safe?

According to data from the Metropolitan Police Service, in the last two years there were:

• 28,891 total reported crimes and 83.99 total crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Lambeth as 26 of boroughs with the least total number of crimes
• 1,490 total reported burglaries and 4.33 total burglaries per 1k of the population, ranking Lambeth as 24 of boroughs with the least number of burglaries
• 1,605 total reported cases of criminal damage and 4.67 total cases of criminal damage per 1k of the population, ranking Lambeth as 24 of boroughs with the least number of cases of criminal damage
• 743 total reported drug related crimes and 2.16 total drug related crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Lambeth as 17 of boroughs with the least number of drug related crimes
• 1,771 total reported robberies and 5.15 total robberies per 1k of the population, ranking Lambeth as 28 of boroughs with the least number of robberies
• 680 total reported sexual offences and 1.98 total sexual offences per 1k of the population, ranking Lambeth as 29 of boroughs with the least number of sexual offences
• 13,585 total reported thefts and 39.49 total thefts per 1k of the population, ranking Lambeth as 25 of boroughs with the least number of thefts
• 8,617 total reported violent crimes and 25.05 total violent crimes per 1k of the population, ranking Lambeth as 27 of boroughs with the least number of violent crimes

What public transport options does Lambeth have?

The borough of Lambeth is well-served by a range of public transport options, including tube lines, overground services, rail services, and bus routes.

Lambeth has many tube stations that are served by several different lines:

• Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, and Waterloo & City Lines)
• Clapham North (Northern Line)
• Clapham Common (Northern Line)
• Brixton (Victoria Line)
• Oval (Northern Line)
• Stockwell (Northern and Victoria Lines)
• Lambeth North (Bakerloo Line)
• Vauxhall (Victoria Line)
• Nine Elms (Northern Line)
• Kennington (Northern Line) (on the border of Lambeth and Southwark)

The Overground network provides services to several stations in Lambeth, including:

• Denmark Hill
• Clapham High Street
• Wandsworth Road

There are several National Rail stations in Lambeth that provide connections to other parts of London and beyond, including:

• Waterloo
• Waterloo East
• Vauxhall
• Wadsworth Road
• Clapham High Street
• Brixton
• Herne Hill
• Streatham Hill
• Streatham
• Streatham Common
• Tulse Hill
• West Norwood
• Gipsy Hill

Lambeth is also served by a range of bus routes, including several night buses. Some of the key bus routes in the area include:

• 3: Crystal Palace to Oxford Circus
• 35: Clapham Junction to Shoreditch
• 45: Clapham Park to King’s Cross
• 68: West Norwood to Euston
• 159: Brixton to Marble Arch
• 345: Peckham to South Kensington
• N2: Crystal Palace to Trafalgar Square (night bus)
• N3: Bromley North to Oxford Circus (night bus)
• N35: Clapham Junction to Tottenham Court Road (night bus)

What places are in Lambeth?

There are several distinct areas in the borough of Lambeth, each with their own unique characteristics and attractions. This includes:

• Brixton – a vibrant area with a strong Caribbean influence, known for its lively market and music scene.
• Clapham – a popular residential area with a range of restaurants, bars, and shops, as well as a large common.
• Vauxhall – a rapidly changing area with new developments and an increasingly vibrant nightlife scene.
• Waterloo – a bustling transport hub with a range of cultural attractions, including the National Theatre and the Southbank Centre.
• Kennington – a leafy residential area with a strong community spirit and a range of local amenities.
• Streatham – a diverse area with a range of independent shops and restaurants.
• Herne Hill – an affluent area with a strong sense of community and a popular Sunday market.
• Stockwell – a culturally diverse area with a range of affordable housing and good transport links.
• West Norwood – a suburban area with a mix of Victorian and Edwardian housing, good transport links, and a growing food and drink scene.
• Tulse Hill – a predominantly residential area with good transport links and a range of local amenities.

What is Lambeth famous for?

Lambeth is a popular destination with Londoners and visitors, and is known for several cultural and social attractions, such as:

1. The O2 Academy Brixton – a legendary music venue that has hosted some of the world’s biggest artists, including David Bowie and The Clash.
2. The London Eye – a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the Thames that offers panoramic views of the city.
3. The National Theatre – a renowned theatre complex that stages a range of productions, from Shakespeare to contemporary drama.
4. Brixton Market – a vibrant and colourful street market that offers a range of food, clothing, and other goods.
5. Clapham Common – a large green space in the heart of Clapham that is popular with locals for sports, outdoor activities and music festivals
6. The Kia Oval – a historic cricket ground that has hosted international matches and is home to the Surrey County Cricket Club.
7. The Southbank Centre – a cultural complex that includes the Royal Festival Hall, the Hayward Gallery, and the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
8. The Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens – an historic park that was once a popular destination for entertainment and relaxation.
9. Lambeth Palace – the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury and an important site in the history of the Church of England.
10. The Streatham Common Kite Festival – an annual event that brings together kite enthusiasts from around the world.
11. The Brockwell Lido – a popular outdoor swimming pool in Brockwell Park that is open year-round.
12. The Windmill – a historic pub in Brixton that has been a favourite of locals and musicians for decades.

What boroughs are next to Lambeth?

Lambeth is bordered by several other boroughs:

• The City of Westminster is to the north
• The City of London is to the north
• The London Borough of Southwark is to the east
• The London Borough of Bromley is to the southeast
• The London Borough of Croydon is to the south
• The London Borough of Merton is to the southwest
• The London Borough of Wandsworth is to the west