If you’re new to the area or just visiting, our below Vauxhall area guide explains what you should know and where you should go.
In this article we will give you a steer of where to go and where to avoid.
The advantage of our guide is it’s made by those who have actually been there and visited these places!
If you want to jump to any of the areas, here is a handy way of navigating this article;
Table of Contents
So let’s dive in…
All about Vauxhall
Let’s start with the basics for those unfamiliar.
Vauxhall is a district in South West London, part of the London Borough of Lambeth.
What makes it great is that it’s It is located right on the South Bank of the River Thames near the appropriately named, Vauxhall Bridge.
Vauxhall was once a fashionable suburb, known for its Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.
These were one of the leading venues for public entertainment in London from the mid-17th century to the mid-19th century.
The gardens closed in 1859 in terms of it being a venue.
However, the name Vauxhall still associates with the area, and the pleasure gardens continue to be a good place to visit.
Transport links
Being a quite central London area, as you can imagine the transport links are very good.
Vauxhall station is served by the Victoria Line and also national rail services (i.e mainline trains). The station falls within Zone 1 of the London Underground.
The Victoria Line will take you to Oxford Circus in just 7 minutes with tubes running every couple of minutes.
Best places to eat and drink
Here are what we believe to be the places you should go to eat and drink. We’ve been to each of the venues and have provided a rundown of various price points.
The Black Dog
If you’re after a classic English pub meal in Vauxhall, then look no further than the Black Dog.
This lively pub serves up a variety of classic pub fare, all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
What we really like about the Black Dog is its fun and friendly atmosphere.
The staff are friendly and always up for a chat and the pub is decorated with old photos and memorabilia.
The overall vibe is one of warmth and community, making it the perfect place to go for a casual meal or just drinks with friends.
Brunswick House Restaurant
Brunswick House is a restaurant and stunning cocktail bar.
A Grade II listed Georgian townhouse houses it the restaurant and antique furnishings and chandeliers decorate the interior.
The menu features modern British cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients.
The food is consistently good with a menu for all pallets. The dishes are well-presented and flavorful, and the portions are generous.
Some of the highlights include the roasted cauliflower with black truffle and hazelnuts, the grilled sea bass with fennel and citrus, and the sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel ice cream.
French Tacos Vauxhall
If you’re looking for a delicious and edgy twist on the classic taco, then you need to check out French Tacos.
This fun and delicious restaurant in Vauxhall serves up tacos that are stuffed with fries, meat, cheese, and sauce.
But these are no ordinary tacos. The meat is cooked to perfection, the cheese sauce is gooey and delicious, and the chips/fries are crispy and flavourful.
The flavors are so well-balanced, and the portions are generous.
Win and Lily Oriental Fine Foods
Moving now to those wanting a more oriental focused cuisine, we recommend Win and Lily.
What really sets Win and Lily apart is its fun and festive atmosphere.
The restaurant is decorated with bright colours and festive murals, and the staff are always up for a good time.
Whilst perhaps not as up market as some other options in the area, the food is great and you’ll have a fab time.
The overall vibe is one of excitement and fun, making it the perfect place to go for a casual meal with friends
Things to do
Eating and drinking is one thing but if you are visiting the area then no doubt you’d like to see some sights.
Fear not we have you covered, so here is a list of the top things to do in Vauxhall.
Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens
Today, the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens are a public park.
The park features a number of reminders of the gardens’ former glory, including the Chinese pagoda and some of the garden walkways.
The park is also home to Vauxhall City Farm, a working farm that provides educational opportunities for local residents.
Visit The Oval
The Oval is a world renowned cricket ground which has held international cricket for over 100 years.
Cricket isn’t everyone’s thing but soaking up some summer sun with a glass of Pimm’s may be.
Tickets for international matches are hard to come by, but one of the top domestic sides plays there, Surrey.
A ticket to watch Surrey is just £15 for adults and £1 for kids.
There are also tours available of the historic ground, tickets can be purchased here.
Lambeth Palace
The grandly named Lambeth Palace is The Archbishop of Canterbury’s residence.
For those not in the know the Archbishop of Canterbury is the head of the Church of England.
With 13th-century crypt & chapel, plus a historic library it is an interesting venue and a great photo opportunity.
Big Belly Bar and Comedy Club
The Belly Bar and Comedy Club is exactly what it says on the tin. It is an at times raucous venue which is great fun to visit.
They have a wide range of comics on display including famous faces you may recognise from the TV.
Prices can be as low as £9 so it’s a venue which may hurt your sides but not your pockets.
Vauxhall Area Guide – Crime
Vauxhall has a recorded population of about 20,000 people.
In terms of it’s crime rate, Vauxhall is considered to be medium.
According to available statistics the crime rate the area has an annual crime rate of 139.8 per thousand population.
This is slightly higher than the London average of 103 per thousand population.
However, it’s a densely populated central London area, and we don’t believe anyone should be overly concerned.
During our visits to Vauxhall we found locals and tourists mingling together, creating a hospitable and friendly environment.
Summary – Vauxhall Area Guide
Vauxhall is a conveniently located central London area with excellent transport links. It has a fantastic mix of upmarket and more affordable venues.
There are some historically significant sites along with more modern attractions. With the added benefit of being right on the River Thames we wholeheartedly recommend a visit.
