New London Architecture

NLA Walking Tour: Introduction to... Elephant and Castle

Tour

Wednesday 13 May 2026
14:00 - 16:00

From £16.80 (Incl. VAT)

Learn from a local about the area’s surprising architectural history and how it developed into one of London’s most unloved areas.
Derided for much of the second half of the twentieth century, the Elephant and Castle came to be regarded by many as the epitome of failed post-war planning. Despite these criticisms, the famous junction had previously been a vibrant and popular location, renowned for its pubs, shops and entertainment venues.

For this former resident, London's most unloved location deserves more attention. As the Elephant and Castle enters a new phase of redevelopment, this tour celebrates the history of the area's built environment. Examining the period from roughly 1750, this walk delves through several conservation areas, discusses significant historical buildings and concludes with a summary of the major changes that took place in the area in the mid-twentieth century following extensive bomb damage and comprehensive redevelopment.

Highlights include: Lamlash Gardens, St. George’s Cathedral and Siobhan Davies Studios.

Image credit: Joseph Granata

Speaker biographies

Joseph Granata

Tour Guide and Architectural Illustrator, The Fox and the Flâneur


From £16.80 (Incl. VAT)


Meeting Point

6 St George's Circus (in front of the Clarence Centre)
Rotary St,
London SE1 6LF

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Access

There will be access to toilets, water and food at the start of / on the route
 
Art Café, 17 London Road, SE1 6JX (one small step into toilets) 
Songbird Café, Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park, SE1 7QW 
Black Cowboy Coffee, Unit 11 A Elephant Arcade, 50 London Road, SE1 6FY 

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