walk/tour
St Thomas' Hospital Garden, Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1 7GA
what3words: tested.piano.angel
This architecture and open-space tour explores post-war north Lambeth. Born in an era of optimism for health, housing, learning, and play, these modernist places tell a deeper story. Together, we will uncover hidden figures of influence, reflect on representation, and examine how culture challenges our values. By considering power, people and context we can make a better 21st-century city for all.
Westminster, Lambeth North, Waterloo
Waterloo
11, 12, 148, 159, 453
Lambeth Bridge / Lambeth Palace Road
Our meeting point is by the seats near to the Mary Seacole statue, in the tranquil riverside gardens of St Thomas' Hospital.
Bring your best energy as we move with the bustle of the city, taking time to pause in the open and more tranquil places.
As we explore north Lambeth, on the south side of the Thames, we shall look at the modernist architecture of health, housing learning, and play. Whilst reflecting on the contexts of the time, and through the lens of influential women, we shall question how we are impacted by central and local government policy. This walk invites us to question the relationships between place, power, and society as we look for ways to adapt our built environment to the challenges of the 21st century.
Join us for a weekday, three-hour walk to experience the bustle of the city and everyday social infrastructure in use. As Ann guides you through the streets, you are invited to reflect and as we pause in the quieter, open spaces we'll share responses. We’ll be navigating a mix of busy routes and narrow pavements. Due to the context and our group size, please leave dogs and buggies at home this time. Please message me directly with queries and we can discuss how best to support your needs.
Our meeting point is by the seats near to the Mary Seacole statue, in the tranquil riverside gardens of St Thomas' Hospital. Public toilets are in the ground floor of the hospital. Please arrive 5 minutes early if you can, so we can compose ourselves before the walk. The route passes one of the 100 drinking water fountains installed by the Mayor of London, to reduce the number of single-use plastic bottles and to provide free access to tap water. More public toilets are available in the Imperial War Museum, as we pass through Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park.
The Golden Key Academy is a course training up insightful and engaging guides dedicated to explaining London and bringing its many stories to life. This tour is part of a wider collection of tours created by Golden Key Academy guides for the Open House Festival celebrating their conclusion of the eight month course.
Further information on the Golden Key Academy can be found here https://open-city.org.uk/golden-key-academy
If you would like to attend this tour, please ensure you have booked a ticket before turning up.
