Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens London

Vauxhall's chill space

Harry from London

About me I'm a reporter at a national newspaper based in London. Aside from writing, I love exploring where I live and finding the best and most exciting places around. Why London? London is always changing, never a dull day. Often places you love close down, and that's sad but fear not because here in one of the most vibrant cities in the world it's only a matter of time...
"Birds sing while trains rumble along atop the parallel railway arches, old men play boule in the shade and planes skim overhead on approach to Heathrow."

London's Vauxhall is proud to be "different", a statement that adorns the tunnels and signage around this misunderstood part of town. One of London's main LGBTQ+ districts, it is a place where expression is encouraged and everyone is welcome.

At the heart of it all is Vauxhall Pleasure Garden, a green centre point amongst the noise and bustle of this crucial interchange. In the shadow of MI6 and Vauxhall's ever-changing (and ever taller) skyline, the pleasure garden offers a beautifully maintained and ever-peaceful moment to breathe while keeping the excitement of the city in a clear, tantalising view.

Birds sing while trains rumble along atop the parallel railway arches, old men play boule in the shade and planes skim overhead on approach to Heathrow. Around the edges of the park bars like Mother Kelly's, the Black Dog and the famous Vauxhall Tavern cabaret provide an atmosphere of a summertime square, the clink of glasses and gentle chatter unmissable on a Friday night.

At its centre sits the Tea House Theater, a former gentlemen's club turned laid-back spot for a nice bite to eat and a refreshment, alcoholic or otherwise.

Take a trip, have a lie in the sun, and live life as the locals do.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

This week 25% off

with the code fall25

*on our yearly membership

London Spotter Harry

About me I'm a reporter at a national newspaper based in London. Aside from writing, I love exploring where I live and finding the best and most exciting places around. Why London? London is always changing, never a dull day. Often places you love close down, and that's sad but fear not because here in one of the most vibrant cities in the world it's only a matter of time until a new place opens or you stumble across the next gem. Where can you find me online? Twitter Work Portfolio

About this spot

Arch 70 Albert Embankment

£

free

Oct 31, 2025

Our London City Guide

Find your way with 276 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our London guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in London

Unwined

With a glass of wine

As an independent wine bar their focus is on stocking wines from smaller producers, lesser known regions and grape varieties, and also female winemakers.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

The Penny Drop

Proper coffee in Fitzrovia

The team at the Penny Drop are real coffee geeks in the best possible sense of the word and go to great lengths sourcing the best coffee beans out there.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Fortitude bakehouse

Sourdough enthusiasts heaven

If you arrive in the morning you’ll find their popular morning buns with a variety of fillings, sticky buns, beignets, and more!

024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Rondo La Cave

A hip wine bar

Rondo La Cave is a hip wine bar situated in the basement of the Hoxton hotel and has a charming rustic interior with dim lighting.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Lamb's Conduit Street

Bloomsbury's hidden gem

Quiet yet somehow buzzing, classy yet unpretentious, central yet hidden. What impresses me most is the concentration of great spots in such a small area.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Milk cafe

Best brunch in London

The menu has all the brunch classics you’d expect and also some more unusual offerings as well as weekend specials that change regularly...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Bloomsbury Farmers' Market

A mid week treat

The Bloomsbury farmers market is a small market for fresh produce and lots of different food stalls held every Thursday on Bloomsbury square.

026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Southwark Brewing Company

A special spot

Southwark Brewing company has a range of traditional beers such as ales, IPAs, porter, and bitter - all really fresh and available on draft or bottle.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Museum Lates

Enjoy museums without the crowds

Museum Lates is a concept that is essentially a late-night opening when you can explore the exhibitions without the day-trip crowds getting in your way.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

Stir Coffee Brixton

Coffee with a local vibe

Stir Coffee Brixton is a lovely neighbourhood coffee shop located on the corner of Brixton Hill and Arodene Road which has a very chilled vibe.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Angelina

Ivanova

Nov 22, 2025

House of Hodge

Books, books and more books

It was set up in 2009 by Highbury resident and cat enthusiast Doreen Rolph, as a place to raise funds for local animal welfare organisations.

002-building
Art & culture
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Madeline

Gowers

Nov 21, 2025

Brunei Gallery

Art from across the globe

Past topics include tent-making in Islamic Cairo, recycling methods in Japan and underground pop culture in ‘50s to ‘80s Ghana.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Madeline

Gowers

Nov 21, 2025

Heading to London?

276 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

London app Home
London app Home
London app Map
London app Home

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

276 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite London

Our team loves London

Get to know our other Spotters from London

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
19
Made with the 💚 of 496 Spotters.
Filters