Hotels near Southwark
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Southwark
Where is Southwark in London?
Southwark is in South London and is one of the boroughs that make up Inner London. The Thames runs along the northernmost part of Southwark, where you can find an array of famous landmarks, including The Imperial War Museum, Tate Modern and Tower Bridge. The borough stretches as far south as Crystal Palace, with Lewisham to the east and Brixton to the west. Several suburbs and villages are within Southwark, including Bermondsey, Camberwell, Peckham and Dulwich.
What tube line runs through Southwark?
Three tube lines run through the borough of Southwark – the Jubilee, Northern and Bakerloo lines. To get to north Southwark (where all the tourist attractions are), head to Southwark station on the Jubilee line, Borough station on the Northern line, or London Bridge station on both lines. All three stations are in Travelcard Zone 1.
Things to do in Southwark
The Tate Modern showcases some of the finest contemporary art around. View collections from iconic international artists, including Picasso, Lichtenstein and Warhol. There are also fantastic exhibitions throughout the year, including the super-popular Infinity Mirror Rooms by Yayoi Kusama. Its free to visit and booking isn't required, making this a must if you're exploring London on a budget. The Tate Modern often hosts family-friendly exhibitions and interactive events, perfect for visiting with the kids.
1. Check out the Tate Modern
See some of the best views in London as you head to the top of one of the city's most famous landmarks – The Shard. Standing at 1,016 feet tall, The Shard is the UK's tallest building and offers breathtaking panoramic views day and night. There are viewing galleries on Level 69, while you can experience the thrilling open-air Skydeck on Level 72.
2. Take in the view from The Shard
Get your hands on some of the finest produce at Borough Market. The market has a rich history – it's been operating for almost 1,000 years – and various tasty bites are available. Grab a slow-cooked meat baguette from Hobbs Roast, try some Singaporean street food from Mei Mei or tuck into seared scallops from Shellseekers Market Kitchen. There's something for everyone at Borough Market! If you miss trading hours, find some of London's best restaurants surrounding Borough Market. Book in advance or walk up and try your luck - with so many to choose from, you won't be disappointed.
3. Grab some food at Borough Market
This world-renowned theatre is a reconstruction of the playhouse Shakespeare wrote for in the 17th century. Since opening in 1997, the theatre has showcased some of the bard's finest work, with regular productions of Henry V, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Macbeth, amongst others.
4. See a play at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
The Clink was one of the most famous medieval prisons in England. It was in operation between 1151 and 1780, holding infamous prisoners like Sir Thomas Wyatt The Younger, who led an unsuccessful rebellion against Queen Mary I (Bloody Mary). Nowadays, the Clink is a museum where you can learn about what it was like for inmates and experience the sights, smells and sounds for yourself.
5. Visit the Clink Prison Museum
Another museum in Southwark is the Imperial War Museum (IWM). You'll find permanent galleries and displays at the IWM covering major historical events, including the First and Second World Wars. Plenty of exhibitions run throughout the year. You can join a tour and talk to learn more about British wartime history from an expert.
6. Learn British history at the Imperial War Museum
Looking for a pick-me-up? Here are some of the best coffee shops in Southwark: • The Steaming Pitcher • Monmouth Coffee Company • The Gentleman Baristas (Southwark or London Bridge) • Saint Nine Coffee • Three Wheels Coffee • WatchHouse If you're hungry after a busy day visiting Southwark's famous landmarks, stop for dinner at one of the area's top restaurants: • Padella • 'O Ver Borough • The Lord Clyde • Tower Tandoori • Flat Iron London Bridge • Applebee's Fish Head to one of Southwark's bustling bars for drinks: • The Boot & Flogger • Call Me Mr Lucky • Beer Hawk Southbank • Fourpure Taproom • The Charlotte • Nine Lives
The best bars and restaurants in Southwark