Things To Do In And Around Southwark, London

South of the Thames and close to central London, Southwark is close enough to the action of the city to be convenient but far enough out to have a sense of community all of its own. With quiet nooks where you can enjoy some peace and a thriving arts and culture scene, Southwark has so much to offer.

Take a trip south of the river to take in some of the loveliest parts of London.

Borough Market

Under cover and open daily, Borough Market is the most vibrant food market in London. A must-visit for foodies, you’ll find fresh fruit and vegetables side by side with locally produced delicacies, fresh meat and fish and artisan breads and charcuterie.

Borough Market, London, England, UK by DAVID ILIFF

On its busiest days, the stalls spill out onto the streets around the market hall with even more choice of food to sample. As well as delicacies you can get to experiment with at home, there are plenty of things you can eat on the spot from rare breed pork sausages in freshly baked bread rolls through to curry and paella.

If you fancy making your own picnic on the hoof try grabbing some bread you can tear, some soft cheese from one of the fromageries and a bottle of fizz complete with plastic flutes and take it to the grounds of the neighbouring Southwark Cathedral for an al fresco feast.

Southwark Cathedral

Once you’ve enjoyed your picnic, take some time to explore the majestic cathedral inside as well as out. A place of Christian worship for over 1,000 years, St Saviour’s was first documented in the Doomsday Book in 1066, although there are suggestions that it was a site of religious significance as long ago as the fifth century.

The current structure and facade of the cathedral are in the Gothic style, dating from the 13th century, although the nave was rebuilt in the 19th century in a gothic style. Its construction in the early 1200s made it the first Gothic church in London, but it wasn’t made a cathedral until shortly before World War I.

Southwark Cathedral, London, England, UK by Adrian Pingstone

The cathedral has a vast, soaring ceiling and some beautiful stained glass windows that glow to the south of the building on the side of Borough Market. If you happen to be in the area during the week the Thursday Singers, made up of local community members with a love of choral music, take to the choir stalls to sing for choral Evensong and Festival Eucharists.

After the hustle and bustle of the Market and before taking to the South Bank, Southwark Cathedral provides an oasis of calm in the middle of the busy city.

Bermondsey Street

Noted by The Guardian as the most up-and-coming area in London, Bermondsey is seeing something of a surge in popularity in recent years. At its heart lies Bermondsey Street, with its chic collection of boutique shops and independent cafes and eateries with something for all tastes.

In the middle of Bermondsey Street lies the Fashion and Textile Museum. Established and curated by local fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, the museum offers a fascinating insight into the use of fabric and textiles to create clothes that are works of art in their own right. The museum also has a lovely tea shop that offers loose-leaf teas including one brewed from pure dried rosebuds and a range of homemade cakes.

Conclusion

Fast becoming one of the most popular and fashionable areas in London, Southwark has plenty to offer the visitor. Whether it is shopping, history or the village feel of Bermondsey, the district will make you feel right at home. If you want to see the area from the air why not try a London Helicopter tour, visit the website link here for more information.

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Category: Cities, Cities