St Mary-at-Lambeth Church and Tower

Standing beside Lambeth Palace is all that remains of St Mary-at-Lambeth church. Or, more correctly, its tower.

There has been a church on this site since before 1086, while Lambeth Palace opened in 1435.

In 1851 the church was demolished, with the exception of the tower, and rebuilt, so that more seats could be added. This Middle Ages inspired building remained in use until 1972. 

At the base of the tower, is an immersion font. Archbishop of Canterbury Edward Benson (1883-1896) appointed his close friend John Reeve as the Rector of St Mary's, in 1894. Reeve commissioned this font in Benson's memory. It is one of only two known examples of an immersion font to be found in an Anglican church.

The tower is still accessible to visitors who, for a small fee, can climb the 131 steps to the roof of the tower.

Garden Museum, Lambeth

In what was St Mary-at-Lambeth church resides the world's first Garden Museum.

John and Rosemary Nicholson, who were keen garden lovers, rediscovered the tombs of two 17th century Royal gardeners, John Tradescant the Elder and the Younger in the churchyard garden, in 1976. This same year the church, by now roofless and crumbling, was scheduled for demolition, so the Nicholsons set up the Tradescant Trust as a way of saving the tombs and the church buildings, with plans to open a museum to the history of gardening.

The Museum of Garden History opened in 1977, with much of its original collection being donated by friends and Londoners. When it opened it had wooden and earth floors, no heating or lighting and no drainage. As such the museum was unable to exhibit works of art or precious artefacts that needed to be securely displayed.

In the 1980s the Knot Garden, created and designed by Lady Salisbury, President of the Garden Museum, offering a place of quiet reflection, away from the hustle and bustle of London life.

In 1990 the Museum of Garden History looked to expand, not just its collection but also spaces within which to display it, so plans were drawn up that included a mezzanine level.

In 2002 the museum set a target to raise £600,000 to pay for a general overhaul of the facilities.

In 2008 Phase I of the refurbishment began, with the museum's interior being transformed to include exhibition, event and gallery spaces. On November 18 the Museum of Garden History reopened as the Garden Museum.