10 cool things to do in Southwark
The borough of Southwark might not be one of the biggest in London, but it does seem to have some of the best neighbourhoods in London crammed into it, with Camberwell, Peckham, Elephant & Castle, Canada Water, Old Kent Road, Surrey Quays and Dulwich all within its borders. To make things more manageable, we’ve narrowed it down to the lively district of the same name, which has enough to keep locals and visitors alike busy for weeks. Something of a gastronomic hotspot, it’s centred around London Bridge and Southwark stations and includes prestigious galleries, bustling markets, chic museums, cosy pubs and so much food that you’ll have to roll yourself out of there when you’re finally done.
Getty ImagesBorough Market
Best for non-stop eating
Extremely famous – but don’t let that put you off – Borough Market is still London’s number-one foodie destination. If the crowds get a little too much then just do a quick sweep of the stalls, making sure to sample Bread Ahead’s divine donuts, oozing cheese toasties at Kappacasein, Chegworth Valley’s fresh fruit and veg and Richard Haward’s zingy oysters. But if you don’t mind the hustle and bustle then you can easily stay for hours, weaving in and out of the vendors before sitting down to a leisurely meal at one of the many restaurants that circle the market. Take your pick from tacos at El Pastor, padron peppers and pillowy cheese puffs at Elliot’s, über-popular pasta at Padella or Turkish pide cooked in a clay oven at Arabica.
Address: Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TL
Website: boroughmarket.org.uk
Getty ImagesTate Modern
Best for masterpieces
Since it opened inside a derelict Thameside power station in 2000 – with the adjacent Blavatnik Building added in 2016 – Tate Modern has staked its claim as one of the most respected art galleries in the world. The Rotating list of the best new exhibitions in London jostles for your attention alongside the free-to-view permanent collection, which includes the best in contemporary art, with Picasso, Rothko, Dali and Duchampare all present and correct. Female artists are also well represented, with must-see works by Dorothea Tanning, Bridget Riley and Louise Bourgeois.
Address: Tate Modern, Bankside, London, SE1 9TG
Telephone: +44 20 7887 8888
Website: tate.org.uk
Per-Anders JorgensenFlor
Best for imaginative fine dining
London’s restaurant scene is fast-paced at the best of times, but newcomer Flor has already carved out a name for itself at the top of the pile thanks to inventive pintxos-style plates smattered with leftfield flavours such as fennel blossom and yuzu. It’s from the same stable as much-admired modern-British Lyle’s, over in Shoreditch, and the vibrant scarlet prawns are its most memorable and delicious dish. Nigella Lawson gushed that the food was ‘just the right balance between hearty and exquisite’, and she’s right.
Address: Flor, 1 Bedale St, London SE1 9AL
Telephone: +44 20 3319 8144
Website: florlondon.com
Georgina JacksonOmeara
Best for big bands in an intimate setting
Much has been said about the decline of small, independent venues in the capital, but Omeara is bucking the trend. Opened in 2016 by Mumford and Sons’ keyboard player Ben Lovett, it might be one of the newest kids on the block, but it has a deeply old-school vibe with a Victorian-style stage that’s been graced by everyone from UK soul singer Jorja Smith to indie-funk wizard Beck and Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro.
Address: Omeara, 6 O'Meara Street, London SE1 1TE
Telephone: +44 20 3179 2900
Website: omearalondon.com
Getty ImagesMaltby Street Market
Best for the hippest eats
If you’re after something a little more low key and less touristy than the bustling Borough Market, ramble down the Ropewalk at Maltby Street to find the next big foodie thing. It’s full of local artisan start-ups, and you’ll be able to snack on a global selection of foods with a distinctly London flavour. There’s also St John Bakery to satisfy any doughnut cravings you might have acquired on the 15-minute stroll from London Bridge station.
Address: Maltby Street Market, Ropewalk, London SE1 3PA
Telephone: +44 20 7394 8061
Website: maltby.st
Helen CathcartTortilleria EP
Best for a mezcal and taco combo
A chilled-out offshoot of the rather more manic El Pastor in nearby Borough Market, this small spot is where the tortilla stash for the main restaurant is made, but you can also swing by for an abbreviated version of its main menu every Thursday to Sunday. Grab guac and chips, a pineapple-topped taco and smokey frijoles as well some all-important house brand El Pastor mezcal to wash it all down.
Address: Tortilleria EP, 58 Stanworth Street, London SE1 3NY
Website: tacoselpastor.co.uk
Getty ImagesSouthwark Cathedral
Best for a spiritual experience
One of the first cathedrals to truly embrace its LGBTQI+ community, Southwark is culturally significant as well as spectacular to look at. Bomb damage from the Blitz can still be seen on the outside of the building, but considering that parts of this grand Gothic structure go way back to 1220, it’s held up remarkably well. Go inside to see the impressive 1950s stained-glass window dedicated to William Shakespeare, a commemorative statue of the playwright and the tombstone of his younger brother, Edmund.
Address: Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, London SE1 9DA
Telephone: +44 20 7367 6700
Website: cathedral.southwark.anglican.orgThe Rake
Best for every kind of beer you can imagine
Less a traditional London pub and more a European or American beer bar, this cosy spot is a must for any craft-ale geek. You can choose between keg or hand-pumped pints, the fridges are always plentifully stocked with colourful bottles and cans and there are also regular tap takeovers from local and far-flung brewers. If you’re bowled over by choice, staff are more than happy to guide you towards your own personal hop-based heaven. There’s a broad range of alcohol-free beers too, so everyone can enjoy this miniature marvel.
Address: The Rake, 14a Winchester Walk, London SE1 9AG
Telephone: +44 20 7407 0557
Website: twitter.com/Rakebar
Tracey Emin 'A Fortnight of Tears', White Cube Bermondsey, 6 February - 7 April 2019, © Tracey Emin. All rights reserved, DACS 2019. Photo © White Cube (Ollie Hammick)White Cube Bermondsey
Best for contemporary art
Sure, it’s a commercial gallery, but White Cube isn’t just open to moneyed collectors. Art dealer Jay Jopling’s slick South London outpost opened in 2011 and has since hosted some of London’s most talked-about statement shows, with regular displays of work from the likes of Gilbert & George, Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst, Antony Gormley and Hepworth Prize winner Cerith Wyn Evans.
Address: White Cube Bermondsey, 144–152, Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TQ
Telephone: +44 20 7930 5373
Website: whitecube.com
Fashion and Textile MuseumFashion and Textile Museum
Best for a super-stylish day
Founded by pink-coiffed vision, national treasure and designer Zandra Rhodes, London’s Fashion and Textile Museum hosts ever-shifting exhibitions that treat style with as much reverence as the Tate Modern does contemporary art on canvas. A place where counterculture is given as much of a look-in as couture.
Address: Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3XF
Telephone: +44 20 7407 8664
Website: ftmlondon.org
Kino Cinema
Best for a quiet movie
Formerly known as Shortwave, this small but perfectly formed one-screen, 48-seat cinema is part of London’s vibrant independent cinema scene. If chains aren’t your thing, then this is the place to catch a blockbuster in an intimate setting, as well as more niche indie and arthouse flicks. Don’t forget to swing by the bar for an Aperol Spritz, which you can enjoy at your leisure inside the screen.
Address: Kino Cinema, 10 Bermondsey Square, London SE1 3UN
Telephone: +44 20 7357 6845
Website: kinodigital.co.ukBermondsey Square Antiques Market
Best for an early-morning rummage
Early risers and bargain hunters will get a kick out of one of London’s most enjoyable flea markets, which kicks off every Friday at a rather bracing 6am and finishes at 2pm. Go shoulder to shoulder with eagle-eyed antiques dealers to rifle through a fair amount of tat but to pick up jewellery, furniture, china and other assorted shiny things that’ll make your home look like it should be featured on an extremely well-curated Pinterest board.
Address: Bermondsey Square Antiques Market, Bermondsey Square, London SE1 3UN
Website: bermondseysquare.net
Robert RiegerThe Hoxton Southwark
Best for an unbeatable view
Bringing its brand of understated chic south of the river, this is boutique chain The Hoxton’s third London opening. Even if you don’t need a place to stay it’s worth a visit, as its 14th-floor rooftop restaurant Seabird specialises in oysters, with a raw bar to rival a 4am trip to Billingsgate Market, while ground-floor dining room and bar Albie offers a classy take on the classics.
Address: The Hoxton Southwark, 32–40 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8PB
Telephone: +44 20 7903 3000
Website: thehoxton.com
José
Best for authentic Spanish snacks
This Spanish tapas and sherry bar is a Bermondsey Street mainstay, a brick-and-tile corner spot known not just for its authenticity but for its punchy flavours. Check the blackboard for what’s on offer, usually a selection of sliced jamon, oozy tortilla, hard cheeses, crispy fried fish and perfectly cooked squid.
Address: José, 104 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UB
Telephone:
Website: josepizarro.comLike this? Now read:
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Mona Hatoum, 'Remains to be Seen', White Cube Bermondsey, 12 September - 3 November 2019, © Mona Hatoum. Photo © White Cube (Ollie Hammick)White Cube Gallery
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