Off the beaten track: a locals’ guide for festivalgoers

With The AltFi Festival of Finance 2022 less than a week away, we’re gearing up to welcome hundreds of attendees to the Park Plaza London Riverbank.

In the process we thought, why not introduce our festivalgoers to some fantastic spots near the venue?

But we’ve all heard about the London’s greatest tourist attractions; from the Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace – you name it, Londoners know it. We don’t want to bore you locals, so we’ve compiled a selection of fabulous places off the beaten track.

Here’s a list of seven of our favourite spots near the Park Plaza London Riverbank, each within a 10-minute walk of the venue. Take a look at them below!

For the curious cat

 Garden Museum

6 minutes

Address: 5 Lambeth Palace Road, London, SE1 7LB

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 10am-5pm

Garden Museum Facebook page

The Garden Museum is dedicated to celebrating British gardens and gardening. Set within a stunning converted church, this hidden gem is the perfect stop for green-fingered folk. But don’t be put off if you’re a gardening ignoramus! With its own café and a medieval tower boasting spectacular views across London, there’s something for everybody.

Adult ticket: £14

Tower-only ticket: £4

S.O.E. Monument

8 minutes

Address: Lambeth Palace Rd, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 7LB

Opening hours: 24/7

Wikimedia Commons, mattbuck

Unveiled in 2009, this unassuming memorial pays homage to the men and women of the Special Operations Executive. The SOE was a secret organisation set up in World War II to gather intelligence, help local resistance movements, and conduct sabotage missions in Nazi-occupied Europe. The striking bronze bust depicts Violette Szabo, an extraordinary female secret agent executed in a concentration camp at 23 years old.

For some peace and quiet

St Mary’s Gardens

6 minutes

Address: Lambeth Palace Road, Lambeth, SE1 7XH

Opening hours: 24/7

Map data: Google, local guide JR Suarez

Adjacent to the Garden Museum, St Mary’s Gardens was created in the 1930s. This small public garden provides the public with a calm oasis in the heart of London. Much-loved by locals, you can soak in the plant life while relaxing on one of the public benches.

Old Paradise Gardens 

4 minutes

Address: Lambeth High St, London SE1 7JR

Opening hours: normally open from 7:30am until 15 minutes before sunset

Map data: Google, contributor Jim Preen

Opened to the public in 1884, Old Paradise Gardens is one of Lambeth’s oldest green spaces. Tucked away and much-loved in the neighbourhood, the park provides a calm space with a fountain, wildlife features, and quiet sitting areas. The site has an intriguing past; it was previously a burial ground consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

For a good old pint

The Duchy Arms

9 minutes

Address: 63 Sancroft St, Kennington, London SE11 5UG

Opening hours: Mon-Wed 3-11pm, Thurs 12-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 12-11pm

The Duchy Arms Facebook page

The Duchy Arms is a backstreet pub with a fantastic community vibe. They serve local ales, continental beer and cider, and have a wine list to suit all. With friendly staff, delicious food, and a fabulous beer garden, this is the perfect place to unwind a finance-riddled brain.

The Black Prince 

9 minutes

Address: 6 Black Prince Rd, Kennington, London SE11 6HS

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 4pm-12am, Fri-Sat 4pm-1:30am, Sun 12pm-12am

The Black Prince Facebook Page

The Black Prince is an old-school pub with a cosy atmosphere. The friendly staff will make you feel warmly welcomed, while the pub’s hearty meals and outstanding beers will leave you with a happy stomach. A bit of trivia; this pub was a filming location for the hit film Kingsman: The Secret Service.

The Windmill Pub  

4 minutes

Address: 44 Lambeth High St, London SE1 7JS

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12-11pm, Sat-Sun closed

The Windmill Facebook page

The Windmill is a traditional pub with over 500 years of history behind it. It’s renowned for its fantastic service, homely atmosphere, and great selection of beers. Keep yourself entertained with the darts and pool table while you down a pint at the venue.