WHY I LIVE IN VAUXHALL: AUTHOR ELIZABETH DAY ON HOW SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH LIVING SOUTH OF THE RIVER

WHERE TO LIVE

Journalist and author Elizabeth Day on what made her a convert to life south of the river and why her booming area is somewhere to love

PRUDENCE IVEY, EDITOR, HOMES & PROPERTY @PRUDENCEIVEY19 MARCH 2024

I’ve lived all over London, but in the aftermath of my first marriage breaking down I lived in Kentish Town and adored it. 

I told myself I was never going to leave. 

Then I met Justin, my now husband, who has to live south of the river. I was reticent to go but he suspected I might like Vauxhall and he was right, I love it.

Late Summer Sunday 25th September 3-5pm

Bonnington Square Garden Association are delighted to welcome back Junction Jazz for an afternoon of entertainment and ice cream. Sponsored by Oddono’s Gelati
Donations invited.

Huge thanks to Junction Jazz & Oddono’s and all who come to support

Please note that social distancing was observed – even if it might not look like from some of the shots.

Bonnington Square, Vauxhall, SW8 1TQ.

The Square boasts 2 wonderful community gardens and the unique Italo Deli where refreshments can be obtained during the performance.

We are delighted to be supporting the Community Garden project.

1. The right turn from Wandsworth Road into ‘Bridgefoot’/start of Kennington Lane/under the railway will NO LONGER be possible. This means that to go from S Lambeth Road you will have to go along the new 2 way S Lambeth Road, turn R into Kennington Lane then do that huge loop up Durham St, Harleyford Rd, then L into S Lambeth Road and L into Vauxhall Grove as at present. This will take longer than the current loop around the one-way system. IF (a big if) they would permit a R turn into Vauxhall Grove from the new 2 way S Lambeth Road (and there is no reason for this to become a rat-run) the problem would be solved. This is what I will propose as an alternative.
2. The only way to drop off elderly or disabled people at the station will be if you are coming from from the West along S Lambeth Rd. For anyone coming from Albert Embankment or Harleyford/Kennington Lane this would be impossible.

The planners at the meeting agreed with me on both these points and made a note of them but unless sufficient people make a noise they might for convenience just forget about these issues.

You can respond to TfL’s consultation on the redevelopment of the bus station and roads around it here (the consultation is set to end 17 January) https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/vauxhall-cross

Thank you to Jamie O’Sullivan for this beautiful artwork of Bonnington Sq – our community captured so beautifully…

Source: Timeline Photos – Bonnington Square Garden Association

The draft ‘Nine Elms on the South Bank Public Realm Design Guide’ has been produced in conjunction with Nine Elms Vauxhall Partnership, the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Wandsworth and Transport for London. Click here to download a copy of the Nine Elms on the South Bank Public Realm Design Guide The Guide applies to an area from the Albert Embankment at Lambeth Palace in the London Borough of Lambeth, to Queenstown Road in the London Borough of Wandsworth. This area is defined as the Vauxhall Nine Elms Opportunity Area. Good public realm should serve the interests of all users, inclusive of age, gender, ability and cultural differences. This Guide focusses on the distinct urban character of Nine Elms on the South Bank and aims to ensure that future design is both relevant, and reflective of the area. It also defines the structure of ten character areas within the community, as well as the overarching themes for good public realm.

Source: Citizen Space – Nine Elms on the South Bank – Public Realm Design Guide

England’s capital city is home to more than 8 million residents, and that’s not counting the millions of tourists who visit this historic city each year. Take some time to de-stress in this British metropolis:Bonnington Square Garden: This community garden offers a new perspective on daily living. Each plant and tree that greets you is cared for by local residents, creating a sense of community that’s palpable as soon as you come upon the square. Be sure to visit the low-key and quirky Bonnington Cafe, whose ever-rotating menu of vegetarian fare takes on new international inspiration each day.

Source: De-stress-tinations: Low-key locales in some of the world’s busiest cities | Cheapflights