While London might not be known for its idyllic weather, taking in some riverside air on the diverse South Bank is well worth your time on any trip to London.
A great place to start a South Bank walk is from London Bridge in the east. That said, if you’re setting out on a chilly Friday or Saturday and are in need of a winter warmer to set you off on your way, pop into nearby 1) Borough Market for a hot mug of mulled wine or cider. As you make your way riverside from the market, your first notable pit stop will be the 2) Golden Hinde. This rather fanciful looking tall ship is a scale replica of Tudor Galleon used by Francis Drake on his circumnavigation of the globe in 1580. Its flagship journey took three years, which puts a 6-hour transatlantic flight into a bit of perspective!
While you continue your wander west along the bank of the Thames, you’ll pass under Southwark Bridge and arrive at 3) Shakespeare’s Globe. While it’s not original theatre of the Bard, this reconstruction was carefully built to be as close to the prototype as possible. Faithful renditions of some of the Bards greatest works are staged at the Globe from April to October, and there is also a fine exhibition on all things Shakespearean open here year round.
If you’re looking for a London postcard photo-op, continue on to the 4) Millennium Footbridge. Looking north, you’ll find that the bridge frames the breathtaking 5) St Paul’s Cathedral beautifully. No Instragram needed here. Since this brief photo shoot may have put you in the artist’s temper, take some time to stop into the 6) Tate Modern, located just after the footbridge in the hauntingly industrial site of the former Bankside Power Station. Once you’ve had your fill of Modern Art, continue down the river, passing under 7) Blackfriars Bridge. The next notable building you’ll see along the river is 8 London Studios. Don’t be surprised to find this stretch of the river packed on a Saturday morning with fans keen to glimpse celebrities leaving the studio.
The area around 9) Waterloo Bridge is another worthwhile diversion on your South Bank wander. Bookish types will love the 10) South Bank Book Market. Whether you’re into antique books of poetry or modern paperback romances definitely take the time to peruse the stalls located just in front of the 11) British Film Institute. Alternatively, adrenaline junkies may like to watch the 12) skateboarding action in the undercroft of the South Bank Centre a little further on. This graffiti covered nook has been a favorite for city boarders for over 40 years. Despite it’s less than inspiring exterior, the 13) South Bank Centre itself is also worth dipping into for a variety of exhibitions and galleries.
Of course, no wander down the South Bank would be quite complete without taking in the most iconic of London sights. You’ll soon find yourself with lovely views of 14) Parliament and 15) Big Ben on the far side of Westminster Bridge. If the sun is beginning to set, cap off your walk with a ride on the 16) London Eye for fantastic 360-degree views of the city, which are most spectacular at dusk as the lights of the city are just beginning to come alive.
Photo Credits:
Borough Market – Jessica Spengler
Big Ben – Joanna Pen