Southwark & London Bridge Travel Guide

Historic market district beside the Thames with galleries, theatres and great food.

• Best for: Foodies and first-time London visitors
• Vibe: Historic riverside, busy market culture, creative hub
• Nearest station: London Bridge (Jubilee, Northern)
• Price level: Mid-range with splashes of pricey riverside dining
• To the main sights: Walking distance to Tower Bridge and Tate Modern
• Safety: Generally safe; busy at night around pubs and station

Great for:

• Food lovers
• First-time Londoners
• Culture and gallery seekers
• Couples

Maybe skip it if:

• You want quiet suburbs and green parks
• You need late-night clubbing every night

centred on London Bridge station and Borough High Street, the neighbourhood stretches along Tooley Street, Bermondsey Street and Shad Thames beside the River Thames. It sits between the City of London to the north and Bermondsey/Elephant & Castle to the south and west.

• Borough Market timing: Go early on weekdays to avoid weekend crowds.
• Padella and queues: Popular restaurants often have queues; arrive early or expect a wait.
• Riverwalk at dusk: Sunset along the Thames offers great photos and cooler walks.
• Watch your belongings: Busy markets and stations are prime areas for pickpockets.
• Transport card: Use Oyster/contactless for cheapest travel across tube, rail and buses.

• Borough Market: Historic food market with a huge range of producers and street food; busiest on weekends.
• Tate Modern: Contemporary art museum housed in Bankside Power Station, a short riverside walk west.
• Shakespeare’s Globe: Reconstructed open-air theatre staging Shakespearean plays on Bankside; guided tours available.
• Imperial War Museum: Extensive displays on British conflicts and wartime life in a large modern museum.
• Southwark Cathedral: Medieval cathedral next to Borough Market with calm cloisters and historic architecture.
• Tower Bridge: Victorian bascule bridge with striking views and a riverside walk toward the Tower of London.

• Heathrow Airport: Public transport: Piccadilly Line to Green Park, change for Jubilee Line to London Bridge; about 55-75 minutes, pay by Oyster/contactless (single fares vary by time). Taxi/ride-hail: 45-90 minutes depending on traffic; typically expensive.
• Gatwick Airport: Public transport: Thameslink trains run direct to London Bridge in roughly 30-40 minutes; pay by rail ticket or contactless. Taxi/ride-hail: 40-70 minutes, fares depend on traffic.
• Stansted Airport: Public transport: Stansted Express to Liverpool Street then Underground or local train to London Bridge; total journey about 60-90 minutes, fares vary. Taxi/ride-hail: 60-90 minutes and costly.
• Luton Airport: Public transport: Thameslink services to central London with a transfer to Jubilee or Northern lines for London Bridge; around 50-80 minutes, fares vary. Taxi/ride-hail: 60-90 minutes depending on traffic.
• London City Airport: Public transport: DLR to Canning Town then Jubilee Line to London Bridge; about 25-35 minutes, cheap by Oyster/contactless. Taxi/ride-hail: 20-35 minutes, convenient.
• From the main sights: From the Tower of London/Tower Bridge it’s an easy 20-30 minute riverside walk to London Bridge, or a short tube/taxi ride across the City.

• By tube and train: London Bridge station is served by Jubilee and Northern lines plus national rail; nearby stations include Bermondsey (Jubilee) and Borough (Northern).
• On foot: The area is compact and extremely walkable, allow 10-25 minutes between riverside sights and markets.
• By river: River boats serve piers nearby (London Bridge City Pier) for a scenic alternative; check timetables and pier stops.
• Fares: Use Oyster or contactless for the cheapest fares; daily caps apply for Zones 1-2 travel.

Accommodation ranges from luxury hotels with Shard views to practical mid-range chains and budget hostels. Most places cluster around Tooley Street, Bermondsey Square and just south of London Bridge station. Expect mid-range prices overall, with riverside rooms costing more.

Luxury

• Shangri-La Hotel: High-end hotel with views of the city skyline; riverside location and premium services.
• Hilton London Tower Bridge: Four-star hotel close to Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, good for business and sightseeing.
• The Dixon Hotel: Boutique option housed in a historic building, comfortable and centrally placed for riverside walks.
• The Grove Apartments: Upscale apartment-style stays offering extra space for families or longer stays.

Mid-range

• Premier Inn: Reliable mid-range chain with simple, comfortable rooms; practical base near transport links.
• Residence Inn: Apartment-style mid-range option suited to longer stays and families.
• Bermondsey Square Hotel: Small hotel near Bermondsey Street and its restaurants, convenient for market walks.
• Think London Bridge: Practical, well-placed hotel a short distance from London Bridge station.

Budget

• Eurotraveller Premier Hotel: Budget hotel within easy walking distance of Borough Market and local cafés.
• SafeStay Hostel: Basic hostel accommodation for travellers on a tight budget close to the station.
• St Christophers Village: Backpacker hostel with social common areas and easy access to riverside bars.
• Dover Castle Hostel: Simple, no-frills hostel option a short ride from central Southwark.

This neighbourhood is one of London’s best for market eating and independent restaurants. Head to Borough Market, Bermondsey Street and Maltby Street for stalls and cafés; riverside restaurants by Shad Thames are pricier. Expect everything from casual £ to mid-range $$ and occasional high-end $$$ meals.

• Bermondsey Blend: Breakfast and international dishes; price level $-$$.
• Flour & Grape: Italian pizzeria and pasta; price level $$.
• Padella: Italian pasta restaurant; price level $$.
• Brindisa: Spanish tapas and deli; price level $$.
• Flat Iron: Steakhouse serving simple cuts; price level $$.
• Hawksmoor: High-end steak restaurant; price level $$$$.
• Lokma: Turkish cooking and small plates; price level $$.

Nights here are a mix of historic pubs, brewery taprooms and a few dedicated late-night venues. For a classic pub evening head to the riverside inns on Shad Thames and along Borough High Street; Bermondsey has several craft beer spots. Most pubs close around midnight-1am; clubs and late venues are further afield.

• The Lord Nelson: Historic pub close to the river; good for a traditional pint.
• The Queen Victoria: Popular local pub with a lively atmosphere; mid-priced drinks.
• George Inn: Timbered coaching inn with a historic interior and riverside proximity.
• The Mayflower: Riverside pub with views across the Thames; relaxed evenings.
• The Mudlark: Nicholson’s riverside pub near Borough Market; busy at weekends.
• Corsica Studios: Independent late-night music venue and club for electronic and underground nights.

Shopping in Southwark is market-led rather than mall-focused; food and independent stalls dominate. Bermondsey and Borough markets are the main draws for specialty food, while small boutiques and antique stalls appear on Bermondsey Street and nearby lanes.

• Borough Market: Large historic food market with producers and street food stalls.
• Maltby Street Market: Smaller market under the railway arches with artisan food stalls.
• Bermondsey Farmers’ Market: Local produce market serving Bermondsey and nearby residents.
• The Blue Market: Local marketplace with varied stalls and community vendors.
• Kappacasein Dairy: Specialist cheese seller and market stall favourite.