Our Sustainability Commitment
Lambeth Palace proves that historic venues can embrace sustainability without sacrificing their heritage. Our recent refurbishment, in partnership with Wright & Wright Architects, turned Lambeth Palace into a model of environmental stewardship, achieving the first BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating in a Grade I listed site, integrating air source heat pumps and solar panels, and repurposing original materials.
The 10-acre organic gardens feature onsite composting, beehives, and sustainable produce, while our catering team prioritises seasonal sourcing, foraging, and reducing food waste through "nose-to-tail" cooking.
With carbon calculators, single-use plastic-free operations, and ECOSmart Platinum accreditation, we are set to achieve net carbon zero well before the 2030 Church of England target. At Lambeth Palace, sustainability is at the heart of every event, blending tradition with innovation to protect our planet.
Setting New Standards in Sustainable Heritage
In 2025, Lambeth Palace became the first Grade I listed building to achieve a BREEAM “Excellent” rating - an extraordinary milestone in sustainable design.
Key achievements:
- 100% renewable heating via air source heat pumps and a new Energy Centre.
- 41% increase in energy efficiency through installation of 160 double-glazed sash windows.
- 39 tonnes of timber recycled, saving 20 tonnes of CO₂.
- 800m² of stonework restored by craftspeople and apprentices, preserving vital heritage skills.
- Net Carbon Zero target: on track within 5 years.
Our restoration has been featured in The Sunday Times, industry white papers, and international sustainability case studies.
On-site Catering
We believe sustainability should be felt - not just seen. That’s why our events are designed to nourish both people and place. Our in-house catering team delivers exceptional, ethically sourced menus that reflect the Palace’s values - seasonal, sustainable, and rooted in heritage.
- Chef’s Choice menus reduce food waste by up to 20%.
70.6% of 2024 events chose this sustainable option. - On-site gardens supply figs, herbs, honey, and vegetables.
- Historic menus inspired by Palace archives -served in rooms where historic figures across the centuries once dined.
- Closed-loop catering system: composting, nose-to-tail cooking, and biodiesel conversion of cooking oils.
Every dish tells a story. Every ingredient has provenance.
Ethical Events with Deep Roots
The gardens at Lambeth Palace are more than a backdrop; they’re a living expression of our values. Spanning ten acres, they provide seasonal produce, herbs, and honey that nourish our events and community alike.
We grow with purpose, cultivating biodiversity, supporting pollinators, and honouring centuries of horticultural heritage. Ingredients from our historic fig tree and on-site hives find their way into menus, while compost from our kitchens returns to the soil, creating a closed-loop system that feeds both people and place.
Every garden path reflects our commitment to sustainability, stewardship, and the quiet power of nature in hospitality.
Lived Values
At Lambeth Palace, sustainability is not a policy - it’s a practice woven into our daily operations, our team culture, and every event we host. We believe that values should be visible, tangible, and experienced by every client, guest, and member of our community.
We honour our heritage not only by preserving it, but by using it as a foundation for responsible innovation; whether that’s growing ingredients in our historic gardens, integrating sustainability into event storytelling, or ensuring our operations support both people and planet.
ECOsmart Venue
Lambeth Palace is incredibly proud to have been certified "Platinum" by Greengage Solutions Ltd., and honoured to be part of a small group of industry-leading sustainable venues who meet to share and promote excellent sustainable best-practice.
ECOsmart is the leading certification system for hotels, meeting venues and short stay apartments. It provides a quality stamp of approval that helps companies make a sustainable decision when booking meeting or event venues. It is increasingly recognised as the credible and affordable marque that organisations can display to demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability and achievement of recognised standards.
Technology Meets Tradition
We’ve integrated smart energy systems and EVENTsmart carbon calculators to ensure every event is responsibly managed.
- Hybrid conferencing available daily.
- Absolute Events partnership for technical excellence.
- Data-driven event planning via bespoke BMS system by Arup.
Clients benefit from cutting-edge infrastructure in a timeless setting.
Client Collaboration & Ethical Alignment
We specialise in events for charities, foundations, and ethical organisations. Our small, dedicated team builds lasting relationships, ensuring every event is meaningful and memorable.
- 100% of events staff sustainability certified
- Onsite sustainability working group
- Ethics-led procurement and catering
We don’t just host events - we co-create experiences that reflect your values.
Event Spaces at Lambeth Palace
Discover our incredible spaces - perfect for your event.
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