The most regal views in town: new homes with views of two London palaces are just a hop from one of the capital's hidden green spaces

A view of not one but two London palaces is the stand-out attraction of a swish scheme of 55 apartments looming over the Thames at Lambeth.

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s official home, medieval Lambeth Palace, lies across the road from new homes at Palace View, while the Palace of Westminster, arguably at night the capital’s most beautifully lit building, is just across the water.

The apartment block’s curved façade of copper and brick with floor-to-ceiling windows is an elegant architectural intervention to the historic surroundings and makes the most of the river aspect.

A bonus for residents is that a renovation at Lambeth Palace has created a splendid new garden annexe with a museum and café/restaurant backing on to refurbished Archbishop’s Park, one of London’s “secret” green spaces.

Palace View residents also have their own private roof garden and courtyard retreat. Prices for the apartments start from £810,000. Call developer Taylor Wimpey on 020 3866 0901.

This river-hugging pocket of north Lambeth butts up against Vauxhall, Which is certainly on the up, with glamorous apartment towers replacing office blocks on Albert Embankment, and a cultural injection in the shape of Damien Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery, with his personal art collection on display.