Lady’s 5 Things to Do on the South Bank in London

Today I want to share my top picks for things to do on the South Bank in London. This area is home to a wealth of attractions and entertainments, and it’s a great place to visit in the UK capital.

Things to Do on the South Bank

I’ve been avoiding one of the most popular things to do on the South Bank for years. The London Eye’s sleek, glassy capsules with their promises of spectacular views have nothing on my fear of heights.

But I’m one of those people who has trouble saying no to anything I’m invited to, and when I received an invitation to spend a morning by the Thames on the South Bank this week, I decided it was time to face my fear.

That’s not least because I’ve been spending a lot of time on the South Bank lately. The Southbank Centre’s rooftop bars and great outdoor food market have drawn me and my friends to the banks of the Thames more than a few times.

On Tuesday morning I crossed Westminster Bridge and met a group of other London bloggers for a tour of the South Bank with a guide.

1. Go to a Show

Our first stop was the National Theatre, or theaters, as there seemed to be an endless array of performance spaces tucked away in various corners of the giant concrete behemoth.

And that’s to say nothing of the British Film Institute (BFI), which is right next door. The BFI Southbank’s four-screen cinema venue shows a variety of classic and contemporary movies every year.

2. Attend a Festival on the South Bank

The theaters and cinemas were followed by a whistle-stop tour of a South Bank festival featuring everything from outdoor gardens to art installations and markets.

Festivals pop up on the South Bank all throughout the year, from summer concert series to winter Christmas extravaganzas. They’re fun to attend.

3. Take in the Scene on the South Bank

After exploring the festival, we checked out open-air concert venues, contemporary art spaces like the Hayward Gallery, street performances, and the relaxing green space of the Jubilee Gardens.

4. Ride the London Eye

In front of the gardens was one of the best things to do on the South Bank: the London Eye. I joined my group in the fast-track line and soon found myself setting foot inside a giant bubble.

As we ascended, I focused more on the view than on my fear of rising 443 feet in the air (that’s 135 meters for those on the metric system).

I took photos of London landmarks like the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, and The Shard.

As my capsule on the world’s tallest cantilevered wheel reached its peak, I busied myself with my camera, trying not to look down from the top of one of the most famous London attractions.

And speaking of down, 15 minutes later we made it back to the ground in once piece. I didn’t die. I didn’t even have a heart attack (or a panic attack, for that matter).

5. Celebrate on the South Bank

So I did what anyone who’d just narrowly escaped death would do (okay, that may be a bit of an exaggeration). I celebrated.

I was helped in this regard by the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel, which hosted us all for a reception on the South Bank overlooking the Houses of Parliament.

It joined places like the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden Bar and Scootercaffe in Waterloo as one of my favorite places to have drinks in the area.

It was a nice end to my visit, and only a few floors above the ground. Perfect.

Best Things to Do on the South Bank

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to the best things to do on the South Bank in London.

This area always has something new to entertain, so it’s worth returning over and over to see what’s on. I’m confident you’ll have as much fun as I always do when you go.

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