Lambeth’s Heritage Festival takes place throughout September and brings together over 80 different events and activities celebrating the history and heritage of our borough.
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, Lambeth Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said: “I am passionate to ensure that the history of Lambeth’s people and places is shared widely with residents and other Londoners, and is preserved for generations to come, as well as using it to help connect local people with the opportunities and challenges in Lambeth today”.
Lambeth from every perspective
The festival covers just about every historical and geographical perspective:
- Talks about South London’s lost rivers, the history of Ovalhouse theatre and women artists at
Doulton’s Pottery.
- Online workshops on family history and an urban sketching tour of Brixton.
Discover history on your doorstep
- Opportunities to explore hidden corners of our extraordinary borough with tours of Brixton Market, St Leonard’s crypt, a walk exploring Streatham’s Art-Deco heritage, history walks in Norwood, Lambeth and Streatham Cemeteries, Kennington Park, Brixton Windmill and Henry Tate’s gardens as well as a tour of Brixton through the eyes of the Windrush generation.
- A 6-mile pilgrimage between the churches of St Matthew, Mark Luke and John (each celebrating their 200th anniversary this year) and a 16-mile cycle tour around the boundary of the ancient parish of Lambeth.
Shakespeare in Lambeth
Lambeth Archives, based in its new building on Brixton Hill, will also use the festival to celebrate the return to Lambeth of three Shakespeare folios on loan to the
‘Othello’ in Lambeth
British Library for the last 75 years.
The Shakespeare in Lambeth exhibition highlights key Shakespeare moments in Lambeth’s theatres: from Richard III performed on horseback at Astley’s Amphitheatre where the horse, not the actor, was the star of the show, through to Lilian Baylis’s revival of Shakespeare at the Old Vic during the First World War, on to more recent innovative productions at the National Theatre. Keep an eye on Lambeth for news of a surprise visit from one of our best-loved actors reading from the Shakespeare folio.
Guide to the Festival
- See Cllr Anyanwu’s video invitation to enjoy the events of Lambeth’s Heritage festival
- Watch Lambeth Archives manager Jon tell us how Lambeth is celebrating the return of rare copies of Shakespeare’s folios
- Get your copy of the month’s programme from any of Lambeth’s libraries or from Archives at 16 Brixton Hill, or download a copy.
- Or find details on the Lambeth Heritage Festival subsite on the Council’s website.
