Location: Southwark
Top Things to do in Southwark
Countries
The 10 Best Things to do in Southwark, England
The crown jewels, Buckingham Palace, Camden Market…in London, history collides with art, fashion, food, and good British ale. A perfect day is different for everyone: culture aficionados shouldn't miss the Tate Modern and the Royal Opera House. If you love fashion, Oxford Street has shopping galore. For foodies, cream tea at Harrod’s or crispy fish from a proper chippy offers classic London flavor. Music and book buffs will love seeing Abbey Road and the Sherlock Holmes Museum (at 221B Baker Street, of course).
Restaurants in London
1. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,568 reviews
Founded by the pioneering American actor and director Sam Wanamaker, Shakespeare's Globe is a unique international resource dedicated to the exploration of Shakespeare's work and the playhouse for which he wrote, through the connected means of performance and education.Together, the Globe Theatre Company, Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition and Globe Education seek to further the experience and international understanding of Shakespeare in performance.
Reviewed By 543nickyk - Uckfield, United Kingdom
Hands down the best production of A Midsummer Nights Dream that I have ever seen (and as my favourite Shakespeare play I’ve seen a few!). The cast were eloquent, hysterical and a few in our party who weren’t familiar with the play managed to follow the story line. The costumes were bright and original, the addition of music to the production was really expertly done (Lysander’s romantic ballads had us in stitches). Bravo, encore and thank you.
2. Golden Hinde
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 562 reviews
Visit this living-history museum and find out what it was like to sail the mighty seas aboard an Elizabethan galleon during the adventurous days of the 16th century.
Reviewed By RuthieRoy
Walking past this famous replica of Francis Drake’s ship, and pausing to read an information board, a total stranger enthusiastically encouraged us to go onboard as she found it fascinating. The entrance fee was just £5 per adult. Is this the best visitor attraction at that price we wonder? We are so pleased we followed her advice- we very much enjoyed our tour of the ship. The talks given by their excellent staff were so interesting and very informative. Highly recommended.
3. Old Operating Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 767 reviews
The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret is one of the most unusual Museums in London. It is in quite an amazing location - in the attic of an English Baroque church which was used as a Herb Garret, and later on converted into an Operating Theatre in the 19th century.
Reviewed By AthinaM_Al - Athens, Greece
Whether you're a medical professional or not, this interestingly creepy museum is great for everybody a little curious about how hospitals and modern medicine came to be. The collection is rather big, with several instruments and concoctions, and gives insight in many practices of the past and the lives of the hospital personnel. Definitely worth the visit! Be careful on the stairs, however! They're rather steep and narrow..
4. Southwark Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 864 reviews
Reviewed By 997briant - London, United Kingdom
If you’re put off by extortionate entry prices, seething masses of visitors, and church volunteers getting on their high horse and on your nelly because you’ve taken a photograph, head to this beautiful cathedral just by London Bridge on the south bank of the Thames. This cathedral is FREE to visit; you’ll find charming and helpful volunteers who will answer your questions but let you see the cathedral in peace and without watching your every move; and, best of all, you can take all the photographs you want for a photo pass which only costs £2.00. Southwark Cathedral may not have the grandeur, history and royal connections that the likes of Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral have, but it’s a grand, beautiful and extremely peaceful London cathedral. There’s been a religious structure on this site for over a thousand years, but the present Gothic edifice started to take shape in the early 13th century, and over the ensuing centuries the present structure evolved. The then collegiate parish church of St Saviour only became a cathedral in 1905 when the Church of England Diocese of Southwark was created. It’s an enormous structure in traditional ‘cross’ formation, with soaring vaulted ceilings. Sit still for a few moments and just appreciate the vastness and beauty of the space. There’s lots of little curiosities to see: the tomb of John Gower (poet to King Richard II and Henry IV), the Harvard Chapel, the Pugin Chapel, the magnificent altar screen dating back to 1520, the Nosuch Chest, and the Shakespeare Memorial and Window (Shakespeare lived in Southwark). As mentioned, you can take photographs, but you’ll nee to purchase a photo pass for £2.00 - the photo pass is actually a comprehensive guide to the cathedral. There were quite a few visitors when I visited on a recent Saturday morning, but it was not an oppressive crowd by any means and there was no queueing. Go outside onto the garden area on the southern side of the cathedral to appreciate the grand structure and soaring central tower. A great view of the Shard puts it into perspective. It's a beautiful spot to while away an hour or so, to sit quietly, to pray, or to attend a service. Apart from the photo pass, the only thing which will cost you is use of the toilets (50 pence). Entrance is on the western side of the cathedral, on Montague Close. It's open daily, though times vary, so check the cathedral's website.
5. Bankside
6. Millennium Mile
7. Borough Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13,167 reviews
An amazing food market dating back to the 13th century.
Reviewed By NicoleRG73 - West Orange, United States
Borough Market is a must see when spending time in London. The market stands on a location that purveyors have been selling their good for nearly a 1000yrs. This place is a foodie heaven and is great place for delicious affordable eats as well as gifts and mementos that can be enjoyed at home.
8. Crossbones Graveyard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By SJBaked - Roydon, United Kingdom
For all its gruesome history this is truly one of the most peaceful and calming places I've ever been. Make sure you get someone who can give you a bit of a tour. It's history is amazing. We can't let places like this be built on or over due to lack of interest. This is history and heritage. It serves as a reminder of our past offering an opportunity to learn from it. Stunning indeed
9. Unicorn Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By cal2017 - Croydon, United Kingdom
Went with three children, aged 9-11 and we all thoroughly enjoyed the performance. The Unicorn Theatre is hard to beat for child friendly adaptations. The shows are pitched perfectly to engage the kids & help them to discover new stories & authors they may otherwise find inaccessible. This is the third time we have been to the Unicorn Theatre & have thoroughly enjoyed every play. The location is perfect too with the South Bank, various restaurants & London Bridge station all within a short walk.
10. The View from The Shard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18,609 reviews
Located 800ft above the ground, The View from The Shard is the highest viewing platform in London and is the only place to see the entire city all at once. The viewing galleries on Level 69 and the open-air Skydeck on Level 72 provide spectacular 360° views of London and beyond. In fact, on a clear day, visitors can see for 40 miles. Friendly and knowledgeable guest ambassadors are on hand to answer questions about this iconic building and the breath-taking views. Fall in love with the iconic skyline and spot famous sites including The Houses of Parliament, The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the Olympic Park and Wembley Stadium. Ideal for London’s culture seekers as well as those on their first trip to the capital.
Reviewed By ptmanto - Greater London, United Kingdom
This my fifth visit in less than 2 years. For me, the best time to visit is later spring or early summer around 7:00pm... views are spectacular and you get phenomenal appreciation of London’s amazing architecture and sights.... BOOK, to avoid queuing
