London/South Bank

The South Bank is on a sharp 90° bend of the Thames in central London and one of the city's cultural centres. It is a small area but it contains many artistic and creative sites, as well as an eclectic range of other attractions, boutique shopping and trendy food and drink places. The size of the district, as well as the pedestrianised area along the bank of the River Thames called "The Queen's Walk" (part of the Thames Path and the Jubilee Walkway) – casually, the London South Bank Walk – make it ideal for exploring by strolling around.

Understand
"As long as I gaze on Waterloo sunset, I am in paradise"

- The Kinks

The South Bank has long been associated with the arts. In the Middle Ages, its position just south of the City of London, but outside the reach of its laws, made it an entertainment hub for the citizens, featuring everything from theatres to prostitution (both illegal in the medieval City). This waned for a time as customs changed but waxed again in modern times. In 1951 the "Festival of Britain" was held on this site, intended to give the nation a sense of recovery after the war, and the area was redeveloped to accommodate it. Much of the Southbank Centre dates from this event, as can be inferred from its brutalist concrete architecture.

Further around the curve of the Thames, almost directly opposite the City, is the area known as Bankside. This straightforward name is derived from the equally uncomplicated Middle English Banke syde. The same factors that shaped the South Bank were at work here and many mediaeval theatres stood here, including William Shakespeare's Globe (now marked by a replica working theatre). The rowdier neighbourhood also helped justify the Clink, one of the oldest prisons in England. Close by is Borough Market, which has been here in some form since at least the thirteenth century (and may even be Anglo-Saxon). Due to its position near the principal docks of the city, it became one of London's most important food markets in the nineteenth century and was known as "London's Larder". It retains a similar position now, although rather more fashionable and popular with "foodies" than would have been the case for its previous incarnations.

Shad Thames (also known by the names Butler's Wharf and London Bridge City) is the part of this district furthest to the east. In juxtaposition to the rest of the area, the history of this part is industrial. For example, it held the largest warehouse complex in Victorian London. Now, however, its proximity to The City, just across Tower Bridge, makes its population largely city workers and its property prices appropriately high. For the traveller, the restaurants and similar destinations here are also frequented by wealthy city workers and consequently somewhat expensive and upmarket. One of the area's more iconic industrial buildings, Bankside Power Station, was refurbished during the 1990s and reopened in the new millennium as the Tate Modern, which many believe outshines its older sister gallery further upstream, the Tate Britain.

The whole district is within easy walking distance of Covent Garden, Soho, Westminster and the City of London. It is the perfect location for a relaxing stroll and a spot of people watching. You can take in beautiful views across to the Houses of Parliament and St Paul’s, especially in the early morning and at dusk, and the packed programme of theatre, exhibitions, music, film and free events means there are plenty of inspiring things to see and do for all ages.

By tube
The district is serviced by the following tube stations, all in Zone 1:
 * Borough (Northern line). Convenient for the eastern part of the district and Borough Market especially.
 * Lambeth North (Bakerloo line). On the south west edge of the district, good access to Lambeth Palace and the Thames Path along the river.
 * London Bridge (Jubilee and Northern lines). Most convenient for the eastern end of the London South Bank Walk.
 * Southwark (Jubilee line). Near the heart of the district.
 * Waterloo (Jubilee, Northern, Bakerloo lines). In the heart of South Bank, perfect to access Riverside Walk. Also has the Waterloo & City line which directly connects to Bank (Bank of England) in the City of London.

On the north bank, with easy access to this district, all in Zone 1:
 * Blackfriars (Circle and District lines). Walk over Blackfriars Bridge to the eastern edge of Bankside.
 * Embankment (Bakerloo, Circle, District and Northern lines). Walk over the pedestrianised and renovated Hungerford Bridge to the Royal Festival Hall area. Beautiful views.
 * Monument (Circle and District lines). Walk over London Bridge to Bankside and Borough Market.
 * Tower Hill (Circle and District lines). Walk over Tower Bridge to Shad Thames.
 * Westminster (Jubilee, Circle and District lines). Walk over Westminster Bridge to arrive at London Eye and County Hall.

By boat
The district is serviced by the following piers:
 * Bankside (RB1 and RB2 river bus routes; Tate–Tate and Westminster–St. Katherine's tours)
 * Festival (Westminster–St. Katherine's tour)
 * London Bridge City (RB1 and RB3 river bus routes)
 * London Eye (RB1 river bus route; Westminster–Greenwich and London Eye tours)

The Tate Boat runs every 40 minutes between Tate Modern and Tate Britain (Millbank Pier), also stopping at the London Eye. It takes 20 minutes.

By foot
This district borders on several others and is easily accessible by walking, or similar, from these. (The southern districts, Lambeth and London/Southwark-Lewisham, are larger and walking from the further parts of these is not practical; otherwise, any point in the other neighbouring districts is within reach of South Bank.) The pedestrian Hungerford Bridge links Embankment to the South Bank Centre and all road bridges have pavements for pedestrians too. Additionally, the whole area can be reasonably navigated on foot or by wheelchair.

By bicycle
As above, the district borders several others and cycling from most parts of these districts to South Bank is reasonably early.

For travellers without personal bicycles, there is a London-wide Barclays Cycle Hire scheme run by Transport for London. These bikes can be rented for short or long periods using a credit or debit card at any docking station (if staying in London for a long term, special keys can be bought from Transport for London for use instead of a card, which can be cheaper over time).

South Bank
From west to east:

Museums and galleries


From west to east:



Do




Tours




Itineraries

 * London South Bank Walk. The walk along the South Bank of the Thames is a relaxing walk through central London, away (albeit only a short distance) from the traffic. Pedestrians can walk alongside the river almost the whole way from Tower Bridge to Lambeth Bridge, following the route of the Jubilee Walkway, a route through central London that takes in most of London's key attractions, which was developed for the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977.

Eat
There is a great selection of cafes, bars and restaurants for all budgets, so make sure you take time to watch the world go by.

Mid-range




South Bank
The cultural centre on the western side of the district includes several notable drinking establishments.

Southwark
The non-riverside core of the district doesn't have quite as many drinking establishments as the other areas but there are places worth visiting.

Bankside
The area around Borough Market, directly opposite The City, attracts as many pubs as it does restaurants.

Shad Thames
The area by Tower Bridge contains some of the best pubs in the city.

Free and paid Wi-Fi
Several places have free or paid Wi-Fi:


 * The Southbank Centre, the National Theatre, the Royal Festival Hall, the BFI Southbank and the BFI IMAX all have free Wi-Fi available.
 * The London Eye's ticket office, and the area immediately surrounding it, also have free Wi-Fi.
 * Waterloo Station offers fifteen minutes of free Wi-Fi (per 24 hours) after which you must register and buy additional access.
 * The Cloud provides pay-only Wi-Fi along the Festival Riverside (by the Thames, in front of the Southbank Centre).
 * London Marriott Hotel County Hall and the local Park Plaza hotels offer free Wi-Fi, with connection details available at their receptions.