The origins of the name of Lambeth come from its first record in 1062 as Lambehitha, meaning ’landing place for lambs’, and in 1255 as Lambeth.
It was geographically split into two: North Lambeth (which is the Lambeth of today) and South Lambeth is recorded as Sutlamehethe in 1241.
Noel de Caron, Lord of Schoonewale in Flanders, held most of the freehold land in Vauxhall Manor at the beginning of the 17th century. In 1581, he was elected to the States General of the United Provinces, demonstrating his loyalty to the Prince of Orange. Caron played a crucial role in the negotiations between the States General and Queen Elizabeth I in 1585. Over time, he developed a strong affinity for England and spent much of his time living there.
Caron acquired property in South Lambeth through two transactions. In 1602, he purchased a substantial house with a dairy house and around 70 acres from Thomas Hewytt of St Andrew Undershaft. Later, in 1618, Caron expanded his estate by acquiring additional land from William and Catherine Foster. Catherine had inherited this property from her grandfather, Laurence Palmer.
Despite his extensive property holdings, Caron continued his diplomatic career as an ambassador until his death in December 1624. He was buried in St Mary’s, Lambeth, in January of the following year.
Noel de Caron erected a large mansion house on the site of the "greate howse" he purchased from Hewytt. This mansion house took several years to build and was surrounded by a large park, well watered by Vauxhall Creek (the River Effra) and adorned with trees. In the Commonwealth period, the house was owned by Alderman Francis Allen, one of the Commissioners appointed to try Charles I.
In 1666, the house and park were granted to the Lord Chancellor, Edward, Earl of Clarendon, for an annual rent of 10 shillings. After Clarendon, the estate passed to Sir Jeremy Whichcott (Whichcote) of Hendon, who had served as Solicitor-General to the Prince Elector Palatine. In 1677, Sir Jeremy’s son, Sir Paul Whichcott, was noted as the owner of Caron House and park. By 1685, Caron House itself was demolished, but its name persisted.
In 1725, the estate was acquired by Edward Lovibond, and it remained in the Lovibond family until 1797 when it was sold to Sir Charles Blicke. Blicke likely had Carroun House built as his residence. The plan of Blicke’s estate covers the area from Lawn Lane to the backs of houses in Heyford Avenue, extending east to a line drawn from the rear of Vauxhall Park to the junction of Meadow Road and Fentima Roads. This plan is based on a drawing from 1838 and reflects the land granted to Clarendon in 1666. Sir Charles Blicke was admitted as a tenant for additional pieces of land in 1806 and 1808.
The area known as Carroun House and gardens, north of Fentiman Road, including buildings known as The Lawn, was later covered by Vauxhall Park. In 1889, eight and a half acres of this land were purchased by the Lambeth Vestry for £43,500 to create a public park. The London County Council and the Charity Commissioners also contributed to the purchase, and landscape gardener Fanny R. Wilkinson, associated with the Kyrle Society, designed the layout of the park. The opening ceremony took place on 7 July 1890, attended by Octavia Hill and performed by Albert Edward, Prince of Wales.
The site where Henry Fawcett’s house once stood, which was demolished for the park’s formation, now features an artificial stone statue in his memory. The statue, created by George Tinworth at Doulton’s manufactory, was unveiled on 7 June 1893. The raised terrace running northward from the statue follows the same line as the paved way in front of The Lawn.
The area south of the current Vauxhall Park was rural - apart from a vinegar factory - until the mid nineteenth century after which it urbanised rapidly.
South Lambeth is now the heart of the London Borough of Lambeth’s Portuguese community.