Lady’s South Bank Guide for London

There’s always something going on in London. No matter what time of year it is, there’s a festival or event, exhibition or new opening to get excited about. And no place entertains quite like the South Bank. This is one of the most vibrant parts of the city, and today I want to share my favorite things to do and see on the South Bank in London with you in this South Bank guide.

South Bank Guide

Situated on the River Thames, this part of the UK capital is not only centrally located, but also at the heart of London’s theater, film, attraction, and entertainment scene.

With everything from the Royal Festival Hall to the British Film Institute, the National Theatre to the London Eye, the South Bank packs a lot of world-class excitement into one place.

Add to that food markets, book markets, pop-ups, festivals, street performers, restaurants, art galleries, and rooftop bars, and the South Bank is a great place to explore any time of year for anything one could want.

Outdoor Attractions on the South Bank in London

And there are a lot of things to want here. The most obvious are the outdoor attractions, so I’ll start with those.

The aforementioned London Eye takes pride of place on the South Bank and is worth booking ahead to see the sweeping views of London from its heights.

Back on the ground, street performers entertain visitors and locals year-round, and pop-up food trucks and bars are always on the go.

The roof of the Southbank Centre transforms into a rooftop bar in the summer, and the gardens along the Thames are always inviting in warm weather.

There’s also a food market behind the Royal Festival Hall and a book market under Waterloo Bridge, both of which are great places to browse and buy.

And that’s to say nothing of the views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from Westminster Bridge.

Theater and Film on the South Bank in London

There’s more going on indoors, too. The South Bank in London has one of the best theater and performing arts scenes in the city.

From concerts in the Royal Festival Hall to plays in the National Theatre, there’s a lot to take in. Add to that Shakespeare’s Globe and it’s hard not to find something to want to see on stage here.

The British Film Institute is a movie lover’s dream, too. The BFI South Bank is a complex for screenings, lectures, exhibitions, and more.

Art on the South Bank in London

There’s additional excitement on the artistic front as well. The South Bank in London is a hub for photography exhibitions, monumental sculpture, and other temporary installations.

Furthermore, the Hayward Gallery is a renowned contemporary art gallery with rotating exhibitions from around the world. It’s a great place to get a culture fix in the Southbank Centre.

Farther down, Tate Modern is one of the most visited art museums in the world.

Views on the South Bank in London

One of my favorite things to do on the South Bank in London is take in the river views. The London Eye might have the most expansive of them, but there are plenty of other places with sweeping vistas as well.

I love the view from the OXO Tower, where St Paul’s Cathedral looms large on the skyline. And that’s to say nothing of the views from Tate Modern.

The bridges also offer pretty river views. I mentioned Westminster Bridge earlier, but my favorite views are from the Millennium Bridge.

This pedestrian bridge offers stunning views of both Tate Modern and St Paul’s Cathedral. It’s worth strolling across to take them in.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the views from the riverside pub terraces, too. There are few better places to be on warm days than an outdoor table on the Thames.

Just walking along the river also offers unique views, and I love stopping at different points and taking in the buildings and boats as I go. This area is home to some of the best south London walks.

Seasonal Highlights on the South Bank in London

I mentioned before that there’s something going on at all times of year on the South Bank in London, and it’s true.

From the Totally Thames festival in September to the annual Christmas markets in November and December, the area is always reinventing itself for the season.

Summer events come one after another, bringing everything from circus tents to cabaret shows. The annual Underbelly Festival runs from spring to autumn and features comedy, family entertainment, and more.

Other seasons feature music gigs and literature festivals, ensuring there’s always something to do or see.

South Bank Guide

And that’s what keeps me coming back to the South Bank in London. No matter how many times I visit, the place is different on every trip.

I love that no two times are alike, and I hope that every time you go, this South Bank guide helps you experience something new to make you fall more in love with the area.

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