This short circular walk shows off some of the best bits of a much overlooked part of London. It visits charming garden squares, small secluded parks and quiet sections of riverside path. After crossing into Millbank, you’ll find the hustle and bustle quickly disappears as you enter a conservation area with its impressive architecture. Towards the end of the walk there’s an opportunity to visit one of London’s premier art galleries, Tate Britain.
[1] Start at the entrance of Vauxhall underground station. Walk to the left had side of the bridge. Cross over and turn left at the other side down a flight of 17 steps to Crown Reach riverside walkway.
(A) Vauxhall bridge was originally built from cast iron and was opened in 1816. The current bridge dates from 1906 and has bronze figures on both sides. From east to west these represent science, fine arts, local government and education. On the upstream side, pottery,engineering, architecture and agriculture.
[2] Follow the path alongside the river until you reach Grosvenor Road. Turn left and then immediately left through the gate. Follow the river path until you reach Pimlico gardens.
(B) On your right is a statue of William Huskisson, a statesman, financier and MP, who died at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester railway after being run down by George Stephenson's 'Rocket'.
Continue along the riverfront, then turn right towards the gate.
Pass a sculpture called The Helmsman, which is part of a series by Andre Wallace exploring maritime themes.
[3] Exit and cross to the left hand side of St George's Square, using the pedestrian crossing. Walk along the left hand side of the square until you reach St Saviour's Church. Enter the square if open and walk up to the northern end.
You can look at the inside of the church through glass doors.
Turn right into Lupus Street.
(C) On the opposite side of the road is a cabman's shelter dating back to 1874. There are 13 dotted around London. They were constructed to provide cabbies with 'good and wholesome refreshments at moderate prices' using a fund set up by the Earl of Shaftesbury. Each one houses a kitchen and can seat 10-13.
[4] Turn right and continue along the right hand side of Lupus Street, crossing the other arm of St George's Square and Aylesford Street. Follow the road past Pimlico underground station. The road bears right and as it bears left turn into Bessborough Place. After a few yards, turn right to go under an arch and into Buonaparte Mews, which has a small garden. Retrace your steps back through the arch and turn right.
[5] Go past the car barrier and turn left at Bessborough Place terrace. Take the next left at Balneil Gate and go through gates in the terrace into Bessborough Gardens. Walk round the gardens and exit on the left corner onto busy Vauxhall Bridge Road. Turn left and use the pedestrian crossing to cross and then walk down the left-hand side of John Islip Street.
[6] You are now in the Millbank conservation area. Cross Ponsonby Place and Cureton Street. Turn left into Atterby Street to go into a small square, then turn right into Herrick Street. Just past the red telephone box (BT has largely replaced the traditional red phone boxes, but the ones that survive are now listed buildings), turn into Millbank Gardens. Go straight across the gardens and then turn right at the exit.
[7] Turn left to cross John Islip Street and head into Atterbury Street. At the end, turn left into the Tate Gardens and past the front entrance to Tate Britain.
(D) Tate Britain houses a fine collection of paintings and has a restaurant and a cafe. The galleries and gardens host some exceptional statuary: the pediment to the great portico acts as a base for a trio of statutes, consisting of a seated Britannia with trident and shield, a lion and a unicorn.
Head back into the gardens where there are often open-air exhibits. Exit opposite the Millenium Pier. Cross Millbank at the pedestrian crossing and turn right, walking with the river on your left. Dont head into the Riverside Gardens, but head up the road back towards the bridge.
[8] At Vauxhall Bridge, cross over to the other side using the pedestrian lights and return to Vauxhall underground station.