Description
Although Larkhall Park opened in 1974, plans for a public open space here dated from around 1943 and it formed part of the County of London Plan to provide improved housing, transport and open spaces for Londoners. The LCC began purchasing land in 1952, and the park's completion was planned in three phases. In 1971 c.5.25 hectares were cleared and responsibility for laying out the park transferred to Lambeth Council, who worked with local tenants to grass over the area. Temporary facilities for recreation were provided by 1973 and development of the new park began in 1974. In 2006 the park underwent major improvement works.
Practical Information
| Previously known as | Wandsworth Road Open Space |
|---|---|
| Site location | Priory Grove/Courland Grove |
| Postcode | SW8 2PX |
| What3Words | ///images.next.pure |
| Type of Site | Public Park |
| Borough | Lambeth |
| Open to Public | Yes |
| Opening Times | unrestricted |
| Facilities | Children's play area, One O'Clock Club, sports pitches, café, tennis, athletics |
| Public Transport | Tube: Stockwell (Northern, Victoria). Rail: Wandsworth Road. Bus: 77, 77a, 196 |
| Research Updated | 8 June 2023 |
| Last Updated | 18 October 2026 |
Full description
Although construction of Larkhall Park began in 1974, plans for a public open space here dated from around 1943 and it formed part of the County of London Plan to provide improved housing, transport and open space for Londoners. The 1951 County of London Development Plan had proposed that a new park of 27 acres should be created to serve 'an area due for redevelopment on the borders of Lambeth and Wandsworth and to be sited between Wandsworth Road, Larkhall Lane, Lansdowne Way and Union Grove'. The LCC began purchasing land in 1952, and the park's completion was planned in three phases. Plans drawn up in 1965 show that the intention was to build the park on 27 acres of land although due to budget constraints it eventually occupied half of the initially proposed area. It was known as Wandsworth Road Open Space until 1967 when it was renamed Larkhall Park by the GLC. There may have been a mansion called Lark Hall, which was later a tavern and tea gardens on the site of the present Larkhall Tavern.
In 1971 c.5.25 hectares were cleared and responsibility for laying out the park transferred to Lambeth Council, who worked with local tenants to grass over the area. Temporary facilities for recreation were provided by 1973 and development of the new park began in 1974. However, work was slow, as a result of which Larkhall Park Action Group was set up by local residents to urge the council to remove the corrugated iron fencing then surrounding the site and get on with the creation of the park. A group of young architects who had joined the Action Group put forward an alternative park plan, including a number of features that were incorporated, such as a walled rose garden and extra entrances, but their proposals for a bamboo grove, wild life area, meadow and pond were not. They successfully raised £500k through Government Innercity Partnership funding, which the council subsequently used to build a cafe and changing rooms. The Friends of Larkhall Park were formed in 1996.
Larkhall Park underwent a major transformation in 2006 to improve its physical and natural environment and raise its public profile in the borough. The Friends of Larkhall Park, Stockwell Partnership and Metropolitan Police were all consulted, ensuring that Larkhall Park had facilities that met the needs of the local community. Projects to improve the park have included redevelopment of Wandsworth Road entrance, new football and basketball facilities, and children's playground (2007); outdoor gym (2011), new tennis courts and a trial seeded meadow area by Priory Grove 92012), and re-design of the Priory Grove entrance (2013).
Larkhall Park is one of Lambeth's Green Flag Award-winning parks, and a holder of a ‘Park of the Year’ award from London in Bloom.
In 1971 c.5.25 hectares were cleared and responsibility for laying out the park transferred to Lambeth Council, who worked with local tenants to grass over the area. Temporary facilities for recreation were provided by 1973 and development of the new park began in 1974. However, work was slow, as a result of which Larkhall Park Action Group was set up by local residents to urge the council to remove the corrugated iron fencing then surrounding the site and get on with the creation of the park. A group of young architects who had joined the Action Group put forward an alternative park plan, including a number of features that were incorporated, such as a walled rose garden and extra entrances, but their proposals for a bamboo grove, wild life area, meadow and pond were not. They successfully raised £500k through Government Innercity Partnership funding, which the council subsequently used to build a cafe and changing rooms. The Friends of Larkhall Park were formed in 1996.
Larkhall Park underwent a major transformation in 2006 to improve its physical and natural environment and raise its public profile in the borough. The Friends of Larkhall Park, Stockwell Partnership and Metropolitan Police were all consulted, ensuring that Larkhall Park had facilities that met the needs of the local community. Projects to improve the park have included redevelopment of Wandsworth Road entrance, new football and basketball facilities, and children's playground (2007); outdoor gym (2011), new tennis courts and a trial seeded meadow area by Priory Grove 92012), and re-design of the Priory Grove entrance (2013).
Larkhall Park is one of Lambeth's Green Flag Award-winning parks, and a holder of a ‘Park of the Year’ award from London in Bloom.
Further Information
| Grid Reference | TQ299765 |
|---|---|
| Size in hectares | 5.47 |
| Site Ownership | LB Lambeth |
| Site Management | Environment Directorate, Parks and Greenspaces Unit (Team Lambeth). Friends of Larkhall Park |
| Dates | 1973 onwards |
| On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens | No |
| Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965 | No |
| Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931 | No |
| Local Authority | Lambeth |
| In Conservation Area | No |
| Conservation Area Name | (abuts Larkhall and Wandsworth Road CAs to north, east & west) |
| Tree Preservation Order | No |
| Nature Conservation Area | No |
| Green Belt | No |
| Metropolitan Open Land | No |
| Special Policy Area | No |
| Other LA Designation | Parks Regeneration Area. Open Space |
Gallery
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.
Nearby parks and gardens
The former Annie McCall Hospital has been converted as a residential development, completed in 2014. The hospital originated as Clapham Maternity Hospital, which was founded in 1889, the third hospital in Britain to be founded and run by women, and the first maternity hospital. The purpose-built wing was designed by architects Hart and Waterhouse and opened in 1915, with an extension of 1938 designed by Gertrude Leverkus. After the hospital closed in the 1970s, it was used for council offices, and then from c.1987 became an artists' studios complex known as Stockwell Studios, which was based here until 2013. In the hospital's extensive grounds, Stockwell Studios created a wildlife garden and community and arts education centre with a kitchen garden in the walled garden. The hospital site was sold for development by LB Lambeth and what remains of the grounds within the new development are now provided for the private use of residents.
Lansdowne Circus was laid out in 1843-50 as part of speculative housing development, largely undertaken by John Snell. Development in this area accelerated after Vauxhall Bridge was constructed. The layout of axial roads around the formal circus, numerous street trees, and detached, semi-detached and terraced housing has little changed since the mid C19th. The central garden enclosure was planted with grass and trees but appears not to have been accessible. Lambeth Borough Council compulsorily purchased the garden in 1951.
Stockwell Memorial Gardens is a small triangular space surrounding a fine white stone WWI memorial in the form of a clock tower. It was laid out c.1920 when the site at Stockwell Terrace was conveyed to Lambeth Borough Council. In 1928 it is described as having lawns and flower beds and 'very attractive'. Adjacent to it is the circular vents 'rotunda' and access buildings serving the 1940s Deep Underground Shelter which has been decorated with a painted mural. A mural unveiled in 2001 commemorates Violette Szabó, GC, and Stockwell residents who died in WWII. The mural unveiled in 2001 commemorates Violette Szabó, GC, and Stockwell residents who died in WWII.
On 8th October 2008 a statue entitled 'Bronze Woman' by Ian Walters was unveiled. The Bronze Woman is London’s first statue of an African-Caribbean woman.
In 2016 the road layout was rearranged to encourage cycling and pedestrians. The gardens were linked to an adjacent parade of shops (having previously been rather isolated as part of a gyratory traffic island amid heavy traffic) with a new avenue of trees planted alongside the shops and extending the gardens. The Bronze Woman statue was carefully re-sited to the north of the rotunda vents within the gardens as part of the 2016 works.
On 8th October 2008 a statue entitled 'Bronze Woman' by Ian Walters was unveiled. The Bronze Woman is London’s first statue of an African-Caribbean woman.
In 2016 the road layout was rearranged to encourage cycling and pedestrians. The gardens were linked to an adjacent parade of shops (having previously been rather isolated as part of a gyratory traffic island amid heavy traffic) with a new avenue of trees planted alongside the shops and extending the gardens. The Bronze Woman statue was carefully re-sited to the north of the rotunda vents within the gardens as part of the 2016 works.