Things to do in Southwark, London

The Shard isn’t easy to miss. This feat of 21st-century engineering – 1,000+ feet of gleaming glass and reinforced steel – tapers to a jagged point high above the streets of Southwark. Ride the ultra-fast elevator to the open-air Skydeck way up on the 72nd floor, from where 360-degree panoramas take in the whole of London, and beyond. Spot historic landmarks including Tower Bridge, the London Eye, Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral and even, on a clear day, the distant spires of Windsor Castle. If the views don’t take your breath away, the altitude just might! 

Read our guide to The Shard vs The London Eye.

Painstakingly rebuilt on the banks of the Thames, just a stone’s throw from its original site, Shakespeare’s Globe is a treat for bookworms and architecture aficionados alike. Snap a selfie or six in front of its oak-timbered facade and thatched roof (the only thatched roof permitted in London since the Great Fire in 1666, fact fans), then take the guided tour for a peep behind the stage curtain and expert insights into what life was like for actors in the Elizabethan era. You can even catch performances of classic Shakespeare plays during the summer season.

The sensory saturnalia that is Borough Market is a Southwark must-do. Set beneath atmospheric railway arches in the shadow of The Shard and soaring Southwark Cathedral, the market has operated here in one form or another for nearly 1,000 years. Go hungry and you will not be disappointed, for here’s where you can get your caffeine fix at London’s best coffee shop (Monmouth Coffee), sample the UK’s finest regional cheeses (Neal’s Yard Dairy), and gorge on any number of farm-fresh street-food faves – duck confit sandwiches, juicy pork burgers and zingy Korean fried chicken for the win.

The upscale ‘burb of Dulwich is where it’s at for parklife, picture galleries and some of the best people-watching opportunities in south London. Take a stroll around leafy Dulwich Park, with its annual explosion of colorful rhododendrons and azaleas, sweet little boating lake, woodland walks, duck pond and cute café, ideal for sipping a reviving latte and watching the world (and its many, many joggers) go by. Don’t miss nearby Dulwich Picture Gallery with its fine collection of art, including landmark paintings by Canaletto, Constable, Gainsborough, Rembrandt and Rubens.

If you’re looking for a London history lesson, you’ve come to the wrong place. It’s all about the jump scares at the London Bridge Experience, where true-life tales including the Gunpowder Plot, and Great Fire of London come with a healthy dose of artistic license. Lean into the mayhem as you encounter notorious characters including Jack The Ripper and Sweeney Todd on this grisly journey through London’s past. Your immersive tour concludes with an utterly terrifying haunted house-style maze that comes complete with giant spiders, evil clowns and the occasional disembodied scream. Suffice it to say that the faint of heart need not apply.

Read our comparison of The London Bridge Experience and London Dungeon here.

Southwark’s embarrassment of riverside riches mean you don’t have to wander far before stumbling upon a medieval palace, historic pub or picture-perfect cathedral. The Thames-side stroll west from Borough Market is particularly rewarding. Grab a coffee and still-warm cinnamon bun from the market and emerge beneath the spires of Southwark Cathedral. Continuing west, you’ll very quickly encounter the notorious Clink prison and a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s Golden Hinde galleon, before emerging onto the riverside for panoramic views of stunning St Paul’s Cathedral. Continue west for a mile or two on a route that takes in more top-tier London attractions than you can shake a stick at, including the Tate Modern, HMS Belfast, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and more.

Those fairytale Neo-Gothic towers that flank the Thames have helped cement Tower Bridge’s status as London’s most photographed river crossing. But did you know you can also get some pretty great views from the walkways up top? Better yet, the floors are transparent, meaning you can gaze straight down as bright red London buses and black hackney cabs pass far beneath your feet. Time your visit just right and you never know, you might even get an aerial view as the bridge’s bascules rise to let the boats pass through. Either way, this mighty feat of Victorian engineering should be considered essential on any list of things to do in Southwark.

A few miles south of the river in leafy Nunhead lies the second-largest of London’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ Victorian cemeteries. And it’s a whopper. Tombstone tourists and headstone hunters will find much to enjoy across its 52 haunting acres, chock-full of grand and ornate memorials to the good and great of 19th- and 20th-century London, including pugilists, playwrights, parliamentarians and many music hall legends of the Victorian era. The leafy lanes are also a haven for local wildlife. Keep eyes and ears peeled for bold urban foxes, as well as the disembodied hoots and squeals of tawny owls, pipistrelle bats and other... wandering spirits.

With nearly a thousand years of history, it’s no wonder Southwark Cathedral can lay claim to the title of London’s oldest Gothic church. Step inside for an oasis of calm away from the noise and bustle of Borough Market, and take time to admire the soaring stained-glass windows, atmospheric cloisters and memorials to historical figures including Shakespeare and his brother Edmond. The cathedral also hosts a number of special events throughout the year, including concerts, music recitals, poetry readings and more; all well worth checking out.

The former power station that contains the Tate Modern’s vast collection is almost as eye-catching as its contents. The Insta-perfect industrial red-brick facade and soaring chimney stack are best viewed from the Millennium Bridge, but you’ll want to get a little closer to experience the legendary Turbine Hall and its super-sized art installations. Elsewhere in this cultural mecca, you can eyeball masterpieces by a who’s who of modern art, including Pollock, Picasso, Warhol and Klee, as well as a superb collection of pieces from Monet’s iconic Water-Lilies series.

Looking for things to do in London’s Southwark neighborhood? The London Pass has you covered! You could save up to 50% on regular entry fees for nearly 100 London tours, activities and attractions, including many in Southwark. The View from The Shard, the London Bridge Experience, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Tower Bridge, Southwark Cathedral and the Golden Hinde are all on The London Pass. Find out more and choose your perfect pass by clicking on the buttons below…