London Area Guide: Southwark

Southwark is another of my absolute fave areas of London to spend a day. My office is actually located in the area so I know it like the back of my hand, and have all the best tips, tricks and restaurant recommendations for the area.

Often combined with the neighbouring South Bank area, Southwark is well worth some of your time if you’re visiting London. You can easily spend a whole day exploring just this area, and a weekend when combined with the South Bank. Let’s go!

Contents

1. Contents
2. Where is Southwark?
3. Things to do in Southwark, London
   1. Borough Market
   2. The Queen’s Walk
   3. Southwark Cathedral
   4. Bankside
   5. Shakespeare’s Globe
   6. Tate Modern
   7. HMS Belfast
   8. The Clink Prison Museum
   9. The Shard
   10. The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
4. Where to stay in Southwark, London
5. More Information

Where is Southwark?

Southwark refers to the area that runs along the south bank of the River Thames between Blackfriars Bridge and Tower Bridge. It’s home to one of the city’s major rail stations in London Bridge, and you can also access it via other Tube/Overground stops such as Southwark and Borough.

The area has so much to offer, and includes well known London landmarks such as The Shard, Tate Modern and Borough Market.

Millennium Bridge (L), and Blackfriars Bridge (R), along the river in Southwark

Borough Market

My absolute favourite thing to do in Southwark is to eat. There’s no better spot than Borough Market, which offers everything I love – food stands, twinkly lights and lots of great restaurants and pubs. I eat here weekly, and some of my top recommendations are:

• BAO Borough (Taiwanese, restaurant)
• Padella (Italian, restaurant)
• Rambutan (Sri Lankan, restaurant)
• Arabica (Middle Eastern, restaurant)
• The Black Pig (sandwiches, stall)
• Gourmet Goat (gourmet wraps, stall)
• Hobb’s Meat Roast (roasts in a sandwich, stall)

Inside Borough Market

The Queen’s Walk

If you want some stunning views of Tower Bridge, then look no further than the Queen’s Walk right along the river front in Southwark. You can also follow this trail all the way along the river in to The South Bank area, making a wonderful 1.5hr walk if you fancy it. If not, then the Southwark section is beautiful in and of itself.

View of Tower Bridge from Southwark’s Queen’s Walk

Southwark Cathedral

One of my favourite off the beaten track spots, Southwark Cathedral is fab for a visit. They often have exhibits or events on – e.g. it’s the biggest Shakespeare festival in the world in April every year to celebrate his birthday, huge carol concerts at Christmas, organ demonstrations at lunch time or exhibitions like ‘mudlarking’ discoveries from the River Thames.

I often have meetings in the Southwark Cathedral meeting rooms and always try to spare 30 mins from my diary to see whatever exhibitions are on before or after!

Outside and inside Southwark Cathedral

Bankside

Another special location in Southwark is the Bankside area, which is perfect for drinks and food along the river. I absolutely LOVE The Anchor pub for sitting on a barrel with some drinks on a sunny day watching the world go by. There’s also some interesting graffiti and architecture in this area, plus the special view across Millennium Bridge up to St Paul’s Cathedral.

At the Anchor with The Shard in the background

Shakespeare’s Globe

Another London icon is Shakespeare’s Globe. If you want to see one of the Maestro’s famous plays, then the Globe is the best place to do it. You can also take tours of the theatre and learn about Shakespeare’s life and works via the exhibitions.

Tate Modern

I don’t really like art, but The Tate Modern is undeniably impressive (plus it’s also free and opens late). The whole gallery showcases modern art, and key pieces not to miss include Warhol’s Marilyn Diptych, Mountain Lake by Salvador Dali and the Matisse’s, Pollock’s and Picasso’s of course.

Outside the Tate Modern and Inside (Andy Warhol)

HMS Belfast

Much more my jam is HMS Belfast, a museum on a warship. Spanning 9 decks, you can learn about the ship’s history, and the people that lived and worked on it. It’s quite immersive, as you can climb up and down the ship’s ladders, and there is always something interactive on – such as cooking in the kitchen, or meet the crew events.

However the highlight for me is the HMS Belfast cocktail bar looking out over the Thames, wonderful.

HMS Belfast floating on The Thames

The Clink Prison Museum

Another of my favourite museums in Southwark is The Clink, built on the site of a genuine old prison built in 1144 – making it one of England’s oldest prisons. There are opportunities to view archaeological artefacts, experience the sights, sounds and smells of the prison, handle torture devices, and to view and hear all about the tales and misfortunes of the inmates of the infamous Clink Prison.

The Shard

Moving to modern London, The Shard is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Standing at over 300m tall, The Shard is London’s tallest buildings and offers amazing views out over London. It’s also home to numerous restaurants and bars – though they are pricy as you pay the premium for location. I’ve been a few times for after work drinks and the views never fail to take my breath away.

The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret

Full post: HERE

Another of my London hidden gems that I wax lyrical about is this wonderful find. Housed in the attic of the early eighteenth-century church of the old St Thomas’ Hospital, this atmospheric museum offers a unique insight into the history of medicine and surgery. The original timber framed Herb Garret was once used to dry and store herbs for patients’ medicines and in 1822 an operating theatre was added. Predating anaesthetics and antiseptics, it is the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe. I blinking love London.

Where to stay in Southwark, London

Southwark is home to the Shangri-La, one of the best hotels in the city, located inside The Shard. It’s pricy, starting at around ￡500p/n, but it’s a special experience if you’re willing to fork out.

Other well ranked and nice hotels in the neighbourhood include Native Bankside, plus a host of Marriotts, Hiltons and Premier Inns for more standard, chain options.