I love being by the river in London. From the iconic views to the entertainment, there’s always something to get excited about. I’ve spent a lot of time by the Thames since I moved to London, and today I want to share my guide to Bankside. This area is one of the most beloved spots along the river, and there’s a lot going on here. Read on for the highlights. I’ve included a map as well.
Bankside, London
Just east of the South Bank, Bankside sits along the Thames in Southwark. Loosely defined, it’s comprised of the area around a street called Bankside. The pedestrianized road runs between Blackfriars Bridge in the west and the railway arches running to London Bridge station in the east.
Bankside is home to everything from cultural heavyweights like Tate Modern to beloved riverside pubs like the Anchor. With waterfront scenery and stunning views, it’s a popular area with locals and visitors alike.
Whether you want to explore a museum, go to a play, have fish and chips by the Thames, or just walk around and soak up the scene, there’s something for everyone in this part of London.
How to Get Here
If you want to explore the area in person, it’s easy to get here. Bankside is served by multiple forms of public transport, including riverboats. Bankside Pier is right in the heart of the area, and it’s fun to arrive via the water. You can book tickets here.
The area is also a short walk from London Bridge station. It’s on the Northern and Jubilee lines of the London Underground. Lots of mainline and local trains stop here, too.
You can also get to Bankside from Blackfriars, Southwark, Borough, Mansion House, Monument, and Cannon Street stations.
Additionally, local buses serve the area. You can arrive on foot or by bike or scooter as well. In short, there’s no excuse to stay away.
Bankside Area
Bankside is in a great location on the Thames. Close to popular places like Borough Market, London Bridge City, and Bermondsey Street, it’s an easy area to visit and explore.
Tate Modern
The most famous place in this part of London is Tate Modern. This iconic art museum is one of the most visited of its kind in the world. There’s free entry, and it’s worth popping in even if you only have a short time to see it.
Housed in the former Bankside Power Station, Tate Modern has a huge collection of art and excellent temporary exhibitions. The Turbine Hall is awe-inspiring, and the views from the upper floors are stunning.
Shakespeare’s Globe
Another of my favorite places in Bankside is Shakespeare’s Globe. This eye-catching building is a reconstruction of an Elizabethan playhouse first constructed in 1599. William Shakespeare wrote his plays in the original theater.
Today locals and visitors can come to Shakespeare’s Globe for a variety of tours and performances. Whether you want to see one of The Bard’s plays on stage, take a guided tour of the building or local area, or just admire it from the outside, there are lots of options.
Next 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 drink here goes to support Shakespeare’s Globe, too.
Riverside Pubs
Speaking of places to eat and drink, this area is home to one of the most famous riverside pubs in London. The Anchor Bankside is a historic watering hole with a warren of wood-paneled rooms and a buzzing riverside garden.
The Anchor was rebuilt in 1676 after the Great Fire of London. It’s the only surviving riverfront tavern of its era, and stepping inside feels like going back in time. You can see my video of the interior here.
In recent years the pub has become known as a filming location for Mission: Impossible. At the end the movie, Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise) enjoys a well-deserved pint here. The famous actor hung out at the Anchor during the filming, too.
To the west of the Anchor, the Founder’s Arms is another popular riverside pub. It sits above Bankside Beach, and it has a great outdoor area with views across the water.
Places to Stay
If you want to base yourself in this part of London, there are plenty of places to stay. Whether you’re looking for a hotel or an apartment rental, you’re spoiled for choice.
Bankside is home to everything from a Premier Inn (it’s right behind The Anchor) to the highly-rated Native Bankside aparthotel and the Hilton London Bankside. Just west of the area, Sea Containers and the Autograph Collection’s Bankside Hotel are great options as well.
My top pick is the Native Bankside aparthotel. Not only is it in an ideal location near the river, but it also offers a great blend of hotel amenities and an apartment-style stay. If that appeals, you can book here.
Other Highlights
It’s worth staying a night or two in the area, as there are lots more things to do here. The iconic Millennium Bridge is a popular structure to walk across and take in views of the river.
If you’re into art, Bankside Gallery is a great place to browse and buy. Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1980, this art gallery and educational charity is home to the Royal Watercolour Society and Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers.
If you love historic houses as much as I do, you won’t want to miss the row on Cardinal’s Wharf. Just west of Shakespeare’s Globe, the homes come complete with colorful doors and commemorative plaques.
If you want to soak up the sun, Bankside Beach is a great place to explore. At low tide, you can walk along this pebbly stretch of the Thames foreshore. There are excellent views of the skyscrapers in the City of London from here, not to mention steps that make it easy to get down to.
Gardens & Green Spaces
There are gardens and green spaces here, too. They’re great places to sit and soak up the scene on the river. The Tate Modern Garden is a big area in front of the famous museum. Not only is it a good place to rest your legs, but there are often art installations here.
Just east of the museum, the Tate Community Garden is open to local residents. If you live in the area, it’s a peaceful place to explore. The garden features a pond, orchard, herb planters, flower beds, and furniture made by local designers.
Hidden Gems
If you’re interested in hidden gems, there are a few to discover here. One is a French cannon bollard. Just west of Southwark Bridge, this unique piece of heritage was captured during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Along with other enemy cannons from the battle, it’s said to have been placed on the road as a way to flaunt the British victory. Cannons like these were then used as inspiration for future street bollards in London.
Another intriguing site in Bankside is The Ferryman’s Seat. Just west of the French cannon bollard, this unassuming piece of rock sticks out of a wall on the side of a restaurant.
It was once used as a perch for ferryman, who would sit and wait for paying customers. Seats like this could be found all along the Thames before the bridges put the ferrymen out of business, but this is the only one left.
Walks
If you want to see more of this part of London, you can go on one of my free self-guided walks in the area. From my Thames walk to my London Bridge walk, there are several that will take you around and show you the best of this part of the UK capital.
If you prefer a guided tour, there are plenty to choose from. In addition to the aforementioned tours of Shakespeare’s Globe, there are food tours that will take you to Borough Market and themed walking tours of the area. You can see options and book one here.
Area Map
If you’d like to see all the places I wrote about in this blog post, you can find an interactive Google map I created here. You can use it to plan your own visit to Bankside.
Bankside
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to Bankside. It’s one of my favorite places on the Thames in London, and I’m sure if you visit you’ll love it as much as I do.
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