Seeking the best things to do in Southwark, London? Then read on! This guide is packed with all the info and inspo you need when you’ll be visiting Southwark and Bankside.
Historic Southwark is located south of the River Thames. The London Borough of Southwark covers a wider area, stretching down to southern suburbs like Camberwell, Peckham, and Dulwich. For the purposes of this guide, though, we’re focusing on the area closer to the water, including Bermondsey.
Some of the capital’s most interesting museums can be found in Southwark and Bankside, including those with a seafaring theme. The area is also great for fans of history, modern art, popular culture, theatre, and even gaming. It’s also one of London’s top foodie destinations.
This guide will walk you through all the Southwark and Bankside sights you need to know about. As well as where to stay, eat, and shop in this appealing and affordable part of the city. By the end, you’ll have everything you need to plan your day – or longer stay – in Southwark.
If you’re wondering what to do in Southwark and Bankside, wonder no more. Find out all you should know below!
- Who is Southwark (& Bankside) best for?
- Top 10 Things to Do in Southwark (+ Bankside)
- Where to Stay in Southwark (+ Bankside)
- Where to Eat in Southwark (+ Bankside)
- Where to Shop in Southwark (+ Bankside)
- Christmas in Southwark (+ Bankside)
- How to Get to Southwark (+ Bankside)
- Southwark (+ Bankside) FAQs
- What Will You Do in Southwark (+ Bankside)?
Who is Southwark (& Bankside) best for?
- Foodies
- History buffs
- Seafaring sorts
- Fans of popular culture
- Admirers of contemporary art
Top 10 Things to Do in Southwark (+ Bankside)
Southwark Cathedral
Southwark Cathedral is firmly embedded in the history of Southwark, from the early 13th century to contemporary times. Parts of the Gothic building date back to 1220, and you can see World War II damage on the outside. The cathedral is also known as The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie.
Step inside to see a stained glass window and statue dedicated to William Shakespeare. The famous playwright’s younger brother Edmund’s tombstone is also located here. Today, the cathedral wins praise for effectively connecting with the local multicultural community, including LGBTQIA+ members.
Southwark Cathedral is free to visit, but do avoid service times if you want to look around. Free 45-minute, drop-in tours are also offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, subject to availability: inquire at the welcome desk to find out if you can join one.
The View from the Shard
Housing a hotel, restaurants, apartments, and a viewing gallery, this 72-storey London skyscraper offers panoramic views over the river and city. If you’re blessed with clear skies, you may be able to see up to 40 miles away.
Unless you’re staying at the hotel or dining there, the best way to experience this London icon is to book tickets for the View from the Shard.
Click here to buy tickets for The View from the Shard
Tate Modern
One of the best free things to do in Southwark is to visit the Tate Modern. It’s one of the world’s best-loved modern art galleries. Permanent exhibits include works by household names such as Salvador Dali, Henri Matisse, and Pablo Picasso.
The Tate Modern is located on Bankside. Before its inception in 2000, it was an abandoned power station.
The Clink Prison Museum
Thought to be England’s oldest prison, The Clink operated between 1144 and 1780. If you have a taste for gore, then you can learn all about how torture was used as a punishment here.
You can also discover local history, and see the commemorative blue plaque. Admission fees for the Clink Museum are modest, too.
Fashion and Textile Museum
For fashionistas, this is one of the secrets of London Southwark. It’s the brainchild of Zandra Rhodes, a celebrated British designer. Expect exhibits showcasing all sorts of fashion, from counterculture to high couture.
The museum is in Bermondsey, and there’s a modest admission charge.
HMS Belfast
Operated by the Imperial War Museum, HMS Belfast is a former Royal Navy warship which is now a museum. It’s a good bet for visitors of all ages, and is permanently docked by the Thames, on Queen’s Walk. There are nine decks to explore, located on multiple floors.
Read more – 20 World War II sites to visit in London
The Golden Hinde
The Golden Hinde is centrally located in Southwark, at St Mary Overie Dock on Cathedral Street. This is a reconstruction of the original Elizabethan Golden Hinde, which was the first English galleon to encircle the globe. This took place between 1577 and 1580.
Entry to the Golden Hinde is included with the London Pass
Shakespeare’s Globe
The Globe Theatre is a faithful reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre, which dates back to 1599. This original was also located by the Thames, and Shakespeare wrote his plays to be performed there.
Do note that this Bankside theatre is open-air, so do dress for the weather. You can experience the landmark theatre by buying tickets for a performance, or booking a guided tour.
Click here to book a tour of Shakespeare’s Globe
Immersive Gamebox
Arch 3 on Scoresby Street in Southwark is an address for the gamers. You don’t have to be experienced to join in the fun, though, as games are suitable for all levels. The venue offers an interactive cinema style experience. It’s ideal for rainy days in London!
Click here to buy tickets for Immersive Gamebox London
Crossbones Graveyard
Crossbones Graveyard is a historical burial ground dating back to medieval times. It was originally used for the poor and outcasts, including sex workers called the “Winchester Geese”.
Rediscovered in the 1990s, it now serves as a poignant memorial. There are guided tours available to visit the memorial gardens. The gates are adorned with ribbons and messages honouring those buried there.
Where to Stay in Southwark (+ Bankside)
If you’d like to stay over in this part of the city, here are our recommended hotels in London Southwark and Bankside. Some of the cheaper options here are in neighbouring Waterloo.
- £££ – Shangri-La at the Shard | 5* | Restaurants & bars, spa, pool, & gym | Within the Shard
- ££ – Sea Containers | 5* | Restaurant & bar, spa, & gym | By the River Thames
- ££ – Hilton London Southwark | 4* | Restaurant & bar, pool, & gym | On Bankside
- ££ – Ibis London Southwark | 3* | Restaurant & bar, 24-hour reception | Near Borough Market
- ££ – Hoxton London Southwark | 4* | Restaurants & bar, 24-hour reception | By Blackfriars Bridge
- ££ – CitizenM London Southwark | 4* | Restaurant & bar, 24-hour reception | Near Tate Modern
- £ – NOX Waterloo | 4* | Kitchenettes, 24-hour reception | In Waterloo
- £ – Stayo Waterloo | 4* | Kitchenettes | In Waterloo
Where to Eat in Southwark (+ Bankside)
Borough Market
For the best food in Southwark, head to Borough Market. In fact, this is London’s top foodie destination. You can sample food from all over the globe here. The choice is yours – pick up picnic treats for an al fresco meal, or settle down for dinner at one of the restaurants encircling the stalls.
Borough Yards
A set of restored railway arches is home to Borough Yards, which in turn houses some of the best restaurants of the Southwark and Bankside areas. These include Burger and Beyond.
Burger and Beyond
Burger and Beyond at Borough Yards specialises in all sorts of meaty and meatless patties, served in a modern, minimalist setting. Craft beers and cocktails are available to wash it all down with, and you can also add your choice of signature sides.
Maltby Street Market
There’s also plenty of places to eat in Southwark at the lesser-known Maltby Street Market. It’s nestled beneath the 19th century railway arches at Ropewalk, and offers a variety of food and drink stalls on weekends. Look out for Tortilleria EP, too, which can be found where the market ends.
Sea Containers
This restaurant between Southwark and South Bank offers stunning views over the river, for a truly memorable meal. The menu showcases contemporary British cuisine. Ingredients are seasonal, and the venue offers all-day dining.
José
This Spanish tapas bar on Bermondsey Street is one of the best restaurants in London Southwark. It offers a welcoming atmosphere, is favoured by local foodies, and even holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand award.
Union Viet Cafe
Oodles of noodles, plus rice-based dishes and soups, await at Union Viet Cafe on Union Street. Expect yummy Vietnamese fare packed with flavour and fragrance.
The White Hart
If it’s laid-back pubs in Southwark you seek, head to the White Hart in central Bankside. You can dine outside at the covered seating area, and don’t miss the Sunday roast if you’re in the area at the end of the week.
Where to Shop in Southwark (+ Bankside)
Borough Market
This is the most famous of all the markets in Southwark – and one of the best-known in London. It’s a foodie market that is not to be missed.
Bermondsey Square Antiques Market
If you’ll be south of the Thames on a Friday between 6am and 2pm, you can shop at this antiques market for flea market finds. Be patient – people can and do unearth some real gems from along all the pointless-looking bric-a-brac.
Borough Yards
Borough Yards offers an eclectic mix of shops as well as cafes, restaurants, and bars. The modern take on classic railway architecture gives you another reason to browse the stores here, which sell a range of goods.
Christmas in Southwark (+ Bankside)
You can celebrate the festive season in various ways in the Southwark area. The cathedral is the obvious choice for traditional, religious services, while local shops, restaurants and markets go all-out to mark the biggest occasion on the Christian calendar.
How to Get to Southwark (+ Bankside)
Underground stations
- London Bridge – Jubilee and Northern lines
- Borough – Northern line
- Blackfriars – Circle and District lines
- Southwark – Jubilee line
- Waterloo – Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, and Waterloo & City
Train stations
- London Bridge
- Blackfriars
- Waterloo
Bus
- RV1 from Covent Garden, Tower Hill, London Bridge, South Bank, and Waterloo
Boats
- Bankside Pier
Southwark (+ Bankside) FAQs
Is Southwark good for tourists?
The Borough and Bermondsey parts of Southwark Borough are particularly good for tourists, with museums, galleries, maritime attractions, and much more. This area is also a foodies’ favourite, not least due to the famous Borough Market being based here.
Is Southwark Cathedral worth visiting?
Southwark Cathedral is very much part of the community south of the Thames. You can also see a stained glass window and statue dedicated to Shakespeare here, and bomb damage from the Second World War on the outside. Free drop-in tours are also offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
What Will You Do in Southwark (+ Bankside)?
Whether you’re into history, museums, gaming, modern art, cinema, or theatre, Southwark and Bankside have so much to offer. And Borough Market, of course, is only the beginning when it comes to foodie attractions in this part of London. Then there are the panoramic views from the iconic Shard skyscraper.
Throw a mix of five star and affordable accommodation into the mix, and you have a London district that could keep you occupied for days!
Read next – London area guides.
- Things to do in Covent Garden & Holborn
- Things to do in Tower Hill and Tower Bridge
- Things to do in Westminster (including Victoria/Charing Cross and Trafalgar Square)
- Things to do in Kensington (including South Kensington)
- Things to do in Greenwich
- Things to do in Mayfair
- Things to do in the City of London
- Things to do in Leicester Square and Soho
- Things to do in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia
- Things to Do in Belgravia & Knightsbridge
- Things to do in Notting Hill
- Things to do in East London (Shoreditch & Spitalfields)
- Things to do in Marylebone
- Things to do in Paddington
- Things to do in Chelsea
- Things to do in Battersea
- Things to do in Piccadilly Circus
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