Explore some of London’s most iconic buildings, markets, theatres, and fabulous views on this private walking tour in the London Borough of Southwark along the south bank of the River Thames and discover the London Bridge, Southbank, Borough Market, and more!
On your private half-day walking tour you will:
- Start your tour beside the river on the beautiful Bankside footpath and enjoy incredible vistas of London's finest bridges, castles, and cathedrals;
- See Blackfriars Railway Bridge with its red pillars – and learn how it was demolished during the war;
- Walkthrough the Founder's Arms, a lovely pub with incredible views across to St Paul's Cathedral;
- Have a look at Bankside Beach and enjoy the marvellous view of the Thames;
- Pass by the incredible Tate Modern art museum, and the iconic wobbly Millennium Bridge – made famous by the last Harry Potter book/movie;
- Stop at Shakespeare’s Globe and the now-iconic mural of the Bard for a fantastic photo and to hear all about life in Elizabethan London.;
- See the Golden Hind pirate ship, and hear the tales of Sir Francis Drake, Queen Elizabeth I’s favourite sailor who circumnavigated the globe;
- Visit Southwark Cathedral, the oldest Gothic church in London where Shakespeare’s brother is buried;
- See HMS Belfast from the outside as you stroll along the river;
- Explore Southwark's treasure trove of galleries, historic buildings, and pubs. Visit the Hay's Galleria, an impressive Grade II listed mixed-use building and desirable warehouse in London;
- Learn about the area's strong connection with Shakespeare and Dickens, see the Globe theatre and the infamous Clink prison where Dickens's father was imprisoned for debt;
- See the old prison walls, the haunting pauper’s burial grounds of the ‘Winchester Geese’ and London's last surviving coaching inn;
- Visit Borough Market - where your tour ends - and learn the history of the historic market before enjoying its many fares.
Begin at London Bridge, where the small trading town built by the Romans stood upon the river Thames. Hear the stories of how the Thames helped Britain take command of the oceans - from Sir Francis Drake and his journey on the Golden Hind to the HMS Belfast, the most significant surviving Royal Navy warship from the Second World War.
For centuries, London has stood at the centre of the world’s commerce, adapting to the shifting tides of power and technology. A former dockland and industrial slum, and now an icon of successful regeneration, London Bridge is one of London’s most historic and storied districts.
Move west along the river and into the time of Shakespeare, as you pass by one of the world's most famous theatres, known for the timeless words penned by arguably the greatest playwright of all time.
A few blocks east and several centuries later, step into the world of Southwark, which was built on industrial, smoky origins. Grand Victorian wharves, granaries, and shipyards once spanned its shores, amassing the trade and treasures of Her Majesty's Empire.
Now, the area has evolved into one of London's most trendy and exciting districts. The neighbourhood has arguably the best vistas across the city, its finest riverside walk, and London's most beloved food and fresh produce at Borough Market.
Tour duration3 hours
Type of tourWalking tour: no transportation is included
Attractions along this route:
London BridgeOne of the most important and historic landmarks in London, with a surprising history.
HMS BelfastAn iconic battleship permanently moored on the Thames ,that once served in WW2.
Shakespeare's GlobeThe Shakespeare's Globe is an academic replica of The Globe Theatre, an Elizabethan playhouse built in 1599 in London where the most famous William Shakespeare plays were performed.
Borough MarketBorough Market is a historic wholesale fruit and vegetable market and one of the oldest in London dating back to the 12th century.
Millennium BridgeNick-named by Londoners 'the wobbly bridge' due to unexpected swaying in its early days, this pedestrian walkway over the Thames opened in June 2000.
Southwark CathedralWith over a thousand years of history, Southwark Cathedral first shows up in history in the Domesday Book of 1086.
Blackfriars Railway BridgeThe Blackfriars Railway Bridge crosses the River Thames in London and it was opened in 1886. The red pillars that can be seen on one of its sides were used to support the original railway bridge that was dismantled in the 1980s.
SouthbankEntertaining and commercial area in central London, near River Thames
