Lambeth Palace Open Garden

Visit the oldest garden in London

The Archbishop of Canterbury is opening Lambeth Palace garden, the oldest continuously-cultivated garden in London, in aid of the British Red Cross as part of Red Cross Week on the 6th May. The garden at Lambeth Palace has been a private garden since the 12th century and is the oldest continuously cultivated garden in London.

There is always plenty of interest all-year-round, from masses of spring bulbs and blossoms, through to summer tranquillity and lovely autumn colours. Visitors can also see Cardinal Pole’s historic white-fleshed fig tree, first planted on the site in 1556.

History of Lambeth Palace garden

Shortly after his enthronement in 1783, Archbishop John Moore initiated substantial alterations to give the garden a less formal structure. These included the curved walkways, belts of trees and landscape contours that still exist today.

In 1901 Archbishop Frederick Temple gave nine acres of land from the east side of the garden on an indefinite lease to the people of Lambeth to form Archbishop's Park. This park next door is maintained by Lambeth Council.

Today the site of Lambeth Palace covers around 13 acres, of which the garden takes up just over 10 acres. The garden forms part of the Archbishop's ministry, and is used by his family, staff and visitors. The garden is maintained using organic principles wherever possible.

Garden owner: The Archbishop of Canterbury.