Vauxhall location guide

Image courtesy of Andrew Tryon – Image licensed for further reuse.

Vauxhall is one of the many London neighbourhoods that isn’t on most people’s radars. Nevertheless, the location is great as it is on the River Thames, has a vibrant town centre, and offers a tightknit community feel that you don’t find everywhere. There has been some modernisation lately and a burgeoning LGBTQ community that has brought more and more people here.

Though the area looks a little rough around the edges, it is mostly young professionals and students who are taking advantage of the bar scene and low prices.

You can easily commute to anywhere from Vauxhall. And after your days finished, the riverside location provides you with a great space to clear your mind on a waterfront run.

Fans of James Bond films will recognise one of the massive buildings here: Vauxhall is home to MI6 – the United Kingdom’s secret intelligence service.

Vauxhall is well connected even by central London standards. London Underground, National Rail trains, and London buses are all available at Vauxhall station. As Vauxhall is on the Victoria line, you can get the tube to locations such as Green Park and Oxford Circus. In addition, Vauxhall bus station has 14 routes serving various parts of London. Some of these bus routes include numbers 77, 88 and 360 which can take you to places such as Waterloo, Camden Town and Kensington.

It is generally accepted that Vauxhall’s name originated in the late 13th century, from the name of Falkes de Breauté, the head of King John’s mercenaries, who owned a large house in the area, which was referred to as Faulke’s Hall, later Foxhall, and eventually Vauxhall.

There is no record of Vauxhall in the 1086 Domesday Book. The area originally formed part of the extensive Manor of South Lambeth, which was held by the de Redvers family. Falkes de Breauté acquired it in 1216 when he married Margaret, widow of Baldwin de Redvers; de Breauté’s lands reverted to the de Redvers family after his death in 1226. In 1293 South Lambeth Manor and the Manor of “la Sale Faukes” passed, probably by trickery, to Edward I. In 1317 King Edward II granted the manor of Vauxhall, Surrey, to Sir Roger d’Amory for his “good services” at the Battle of Bannockburn.

The land of Vauxhall was flat and parts were marshy and poorly drained by ditches, and it only started having work done on it with the draining of Lambeth Marsh in the mid-18th century, but remained a village. Before this Vauxhall provided market garden produce for the nearby City of London. Vauxhall Bridge and Vauxhall Bridge Road were opened in 1816. By 1860 the village had been subsumed by the town of Lambeth. Many of Vauxhall’s streets were destroyed during the construction of the railway to London Waterloo via the Nine Elms to Waterloo Viaduct, by German bombing in World War II or ravaged through poor city planning.

Vauxhall is filled with a variety of activities which you could do during your stay here! From visiting city farms to watching cricket, you will never be bored with nothing to do.

Image courtesy of VauxhallCityFarm

Are you a farmer at heart but don’t fancy traveling to the countryside? Then Vauxhall City Farm is where you should be. The farm is run as a charity and focuses on education, youth work, animal care and horticulture.

Entry to the farm is free. There is also a café if you’re feeling peckish and a gift shop if you want to get something for a friend or family member.

Vauxhall City Farm

Image courtesy of Ewan Munro

Image courtesy of PaddyBriggs

Image courtesy of MassiveEartha

Vauxhall Residence – Click Here

Located by the Albert Embankment in the heart of London, this residence has a selection of stylish en-suite rooms in shared apartment’s moments away from the infamous River Thames and minutes away from Vauxhall Tube and Overground Station. The stylish en-suite rooms come equipped with their own private bathroom, study area, small double bed and plenty of personal space for storage.You would then have access to a large shared kitchen where you can make the most of meeting your fellow flatmates amongst food!