I really like being by the river in London. From the long-lasting views to the leisure, there’s all the time one thing to get enthusiastic about. I’ve spent plenty of time by the Thames since I moved to London, and right now I wish to share my information to Bankside. This space is without doubt one of the most beloved spots alongside the river, and there’s so much happening right here. Learn on for the highlights. I’ve included a map as nicely.
Bankside, London
Simply east of the South Financial institution, Bankside sits alongside the Thames in Southwark. Loosely outlined, it’s comprised of the world round a road known as Bankside. The pedestrianized street runs between Blackfriars Bridge within the west and the railway arches working to London Bridge station within the east.
Bankside is dwelling to the whole lot from cultural heavyweights like Tate Fashionable to beloved riverside pubs just like the Anchor. With waterfront surroundings and beautiful views, it’s a well-liked space with locals and guests alike.
Whether or not you wish to discover a museum, go to a play, have fish and chips by the Thames, or simply stroll round and absorb the scene, there’s one thing for everybody on this a part of London.
The best way to Get Right here
If you wish to discover the world in individual, it’s straightforward to get right here. Bankside is served by a number of types of public transport, together with riverboats. Bankside Pier is true within the coronary heart of the world, and it’s enjoyable to reach by way of the water. You may e book tickets right here.
The realm can also be a brief stroll from London Bridge station. It’s on the Northern and Jubilee strains of the London Underground. A number of mainline and native trains cease right here, too.
You too can get to Bankside from Blackfriars, Southwark, Borough, Mansion Home, Monument, and Cannon Road stations.
Moreover, native buses serve the world. You may arrive on foot or by bike or scooter as nicely. In brief, there’s no excuse to remain away.
Bankside Space
Bankside is in an excellent location on the Thames. Near in style locations like Borough Market, London Bridge Metropolis, and Bermondsey Road, it’s a straightforward space to go to and discover.
Tate Fashionable
Essentially the most well-known place on this a part of London is Tate Fashionable. This iconic artwork museum is without doubt one of the most visited of its variety on the earth. There’s free entry, and it’s value popping in even should you solely have a short while to see it.
Housed within the former Bankside Energy Station, Tate Fashionable has an enormous assortment of artwork and wonderful momentary exhibitions. The Turbine Corridor is awe-inspiring, and the views from the higher flooring are beautiful.
Shakespeare’s Globe
One other of my favourite locations in Bankside is Shakespeare’s Globe. This eye-catching constructing is a reconstruction of an Elizabethan playhouse first constructed in 1599. William Shakespeare wrote his performs within the unique theater.
At the moment locals and guests can come to Shakespeare’s Globe for a wide range of excursions and performances. Whether or not you wish to see considered one of The Bard’s performs on stage, take a guided tour of the constructing or native space, or simply admire it from the skin, there are many choices.
Subsequent door is Swan, a bar and restaurant with views of the river and iconic buildings like St Paul’s Cathedral. A portion of what you spend on food and drinks right here goes to assist Shakespeare’s Globe, too.
Riverside Pubs
Talking of locations to eat and drink, this space is dwelling to one of the well-known riverside pubs in London. The Anchor Bankside is a historic watering gap with a warren of wood-paneled rooms and a buzzing riverside backyard.
The Anchor was rebuilt in 1676 after the Nice Hearth of London. It’s the one surviving riverfront tavern of its period, and stepping inside looks like going again in time. You may see my video of the inside right here.
In recent times the pub has develop into referred to as a filming location for Mission: Inconceivable. On the finish the film, Ethan Hunt (performed by Tom Cruise) enjoys a well-deserved pint right here. The well-known actor frolicked on the Anchor in the course of the filming, too.
To the west of the Anchor, the Founder’s Arms is one other in style riverside pub. It sits above Bankside Seashore, and it has an excellent outside space with views throughout the water.
Locations to Keep
If you wish to base your self on this a part of London, there are many locations to remain. Whether or not you’re searching for a lodge or an house rental, you’re spoiled for alternative.
Bankside is dwelling to the whole lot from a Premier Inn (it’s proper behind The Anchor) to the highly-rated Native Bankside aparthotel and the Hilton London Bankside. Simply west of the world, Sea Containers and the Autograph Assortment’s Bankside Resort are nice choices as nicely.
My high choose is the Native Bankside aparthotel. Not solely is it in a great location close to the river, nevertheless it additionally provides an excellent mix of lodge facilities and an apartment-style keep. If that appeals, you may e book right here.
Different Highlights
It’s value staying an evening or two within the space, as there are tons extra issues to do right here. The enduring Millennium Bridge is a well-liked construction to stroll throughout and soak up views of the river.
When you’re into artwork, Bankside Gallery is a superb place to browse and purchase. Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1980, this artwork gallery and academic charity is dwelling to the Royal Watercolour Society and Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers.
When you love historic homes as a lot as I do, you received’t wish to miss the row on Cardinal’s Wharf. Simply west of Shakespeare’s Globe, the houses come full with colourful doorways and commemorative plaques.
If you wish to absorb the solar, Bankside Seashore is a superb place to discover. At low tide, you may stroll alongside this pebbly stretch of the Thames foreshore. There are wonderful views of the skyscrapers within the Metropolis of London from right here, to not point out steps that make it straightforward to get all the way down to.
Gardens & Inexperienced Areas
There are gardens and inexperienced areas right here, too. They’re nice locations to take a seat and absorb the scene on the river. The Tate Fashionable Backyard is a giant space in entrance of the well-known museum. Not solely is it a great place to relaxation your legs, however there are sometimes artwork installations right here.
Simply east of the museum, the Tate Group Backyard is open to native residents. When you dwell within the space, it’s a peaceable place to discover. The backyard contains a pond, orchard, herb planters, flower beds, and furnishings made by native designers.
Hidden Gems
When you’re curious about hidden gems, there are a couple of to find right here. One is a French cannon bollard. Simply west of Southwark Bridge, this distinctive piece of heritage was captured in the course of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Together with different enemy cannons from the battle, it’s stated to have been positioned on the street as a solution to flaunt the British victory. Cannons like these had been then used as inspiration for future road bollards in London.
One other intriguing web site in Bankside is The Ferryman’s Seat. Simply west of the French cannon bollard, this unassuming piece of rock stands out of a wall on the aspect of a restaurant.
It was as soon as used as a perch for ferryman, who would sit and await paying prospects. Seats like this could possibly be discovered all alongside the Thames earlier than the bridges put the ferrymen out of enterprise, however that is the one one left.
Walks
If you wish to see extra of this a part of London, you may go on considered one of my free self-guided walks within the space. From my Thames stroll to my London Bridge stroll, there are a number of that can take you round and present you the very best of this a part of the UK capital.
When you desire a guided tour, there are loads to select from. Along with the aforementioned excursions of Shakespeare’s Globe, there are meals excursions that can take you to Borough Market and themed strolling excursions of the world. You may see choices and e book one right here.
Space Map
When you’d prefer to see all of the locations I wrote about on this weblog submit, you will discover an interactive Google map I created right here. You should utilize it to plan your personal go to to Bankside.
Bankside
I hope you’ve loved this information to Bankside. It’s considered one of my favourite locations on the Thames in London, and I’m positive should you go to you’ll find it irresistible as a lot as I do.
Discover this submit useful? Purchase me a espresso!
New right here? Be part of 1000’s of others and subscribe to the A Woman in London weblog by way of electronic mail.
A few of the hyperlinks on this weblog submit are affiliate hyperlinks. For free of charge to you, I earn a small fee if you click on on them and make a purchase order. It doesn’t have an effect on the best way you store, and it’s a good way to assist the A Woman in London weblog.
Pin it!