Southwark Cathedral

Religious Site Medieval London cathedral near Borough Market

A Gothic cathedral beside London Bridge with medieval stonework, a noted choir and close access to Borough Market; tourists visit for architecture, choral services and local history walks.

Main image

Southwark Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral located on the south bank of the River Thames in central London. It serves as the parish church for the area and as the cathedral of the Diocese of Southwark.

The building displays predominantly Gothic architecture with a medieval nave and choir and retains features from several centuries of construction and restoration. Interior highlights include tombs, memorials and stained glass, and the cathedral hosts services, concerts and occasional exhibitions.

A church has stood on the site since the medieval period and the present building reflects major phases of building from the 12th century onward, with later additions and restorations. It became a cathedral in the 20th century when the Diocese of Southwark was established.

Situated close to London Bridge in the London Borough of Southwark, the cathedral is adjacent to Borough Market and within easy walking distance of the South Bank and central London transport links.

  • Nearby landmarks: Located just south of London Bridge and a short walk from Borough Market, making it convenient to combine with visits to nearby South Bank attractions.
Southwark Cathedral
Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, London SE1 9DA, United Kingdom
51.5061, -0.0897
Daily ~8:00am-6:00pm (varies for services and events)
Free entry (donations welcome); guided tours may have a charge

How to Get to Southwark Cathedral #

Southwark Cathedral is a 3-5 minute walk from London Bridge station (served by Underground Northern and Jubilee lines and National Rail services). Exit London Bridge station and cross to the south side of the Thames - the cathedral is immediately adjacent to Cathedral Street and Borough High Street, and many local buses stop nearby (e.g., routes serving London Bridge/ Borough Market).

Tips for Visiting Southwark Cathedral #

  • Visit outside Borough Market peak hours-early morning or during weekday late-afternoons-so you can tour the cathedral's interior in relative quiet while still being close enough to pop into the market afterward.
  • Attend choral evensong if possible: Southwark Cathedral's services showcase the choir and acoustics and are one of the best ways to experience the building beyond daytime sightseeing.
  • Enter from the Cathedral Close/Montague Close side to avoid the market crowds and to find the main visitor desk and exhibition panels more easily.

Best Time to Visit Southwark Cathedral #

Visit Southwark Cathedral in spring or autumn on a weekday morning for the quietest experience; summer brings the most tourists.

Summer (busiest)
June-August · 15-25°C
Highest tourist numbers-expect larger congregations and sightseeing groups around the cathedral.
Spring/Autumn (best times)
April-May, September-October · 8-18°C
Milder conditions and fewer tourists make weekday mornings particularly pleasant for a quieter visit.
Winter (quiet, with exceptions)
November-February · 2-10°C
Generally quieter except around major religious holidays (Christmas, Easter) when services draw larger crowds.

Weather & Climate near Southwark Cathedral #

Climate

Southwark Cathedral's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (659 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 43 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
-8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.2h daylight

February

February is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.7h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
15.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

54 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
16.3h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
15.9h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 19°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

65 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.5h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 66 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.7h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.7h daylight

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