I really like being by the river in London. From the long-lasting views to the leisure, there’s at all times one thing to get enthusiastic about. I’ve spent a number of time by the Thames since I moved to London, and as we speak I wish to share my information to Bankside. This space is without doubt one of the most beloved spots alongside the river, and there’s lots occurring right here. Learn on for the highlights. I’ve included a map as nicely.
Bankside, London
Simply east of the South Financial institution, Bankside sits alongside the Thames in Southwark. Loosely outlined, it’s comprised of the realm round a avenue referred to as Bankside. The pedestrianized highway runs between Blackfriars Bridge within the west and the railway arches operating to London Bridge station within the east.
Bankside is house to all the pieces from cultural heavyweights like Tate Trendy to beloved riverside pubs just like the Anchor. With waterfront surroundings and beautiful views, it’s a well-liked space with locals and guests alike.
Whether or not you wish to discover a museum, go to a play, have fish and chips by the Thames, or simply stroll round and absorb the scene, there’s one thing for everybody on this a part of London.
The best way to Get Right here
If you wish to discover the realm in particular person, it’s straightforward to get right here. Bankside is served by a number of types of public transport, together with riverboats. Bankside Pier is correct within the coronary heart of the realm, and it’s enjoyable to reach through the water. You possibly can guide tickets right here.
The world can be a brief stroll from London Bridge station. It’s on the Northern and Jubilee strains of the London Underground. A lot of mainline and native trains cease right here, too.
You may also get to Bankside from Blackfriars, Southwark, Borough, Mansion Home, Monument, and Cannon Road stations.
Moreover, native buses serve the realm. You possibly can arrive on foot or by bike or scooter as nicely. Briefly, there’s no excuse to remain away.
Bankside Space
Bankside is in a terrific location on the Thames. Near in style locations like Borough Market, London Bridge Metropolis, and Bermondsey Road, it’s a straightforward space to go to and discover.
Tate Trendy
Probably the most well-known place on this a part of London is Tate Trendy. This iconic artwork museum is without doubt one of the most visited of its variety on this planet. There’s free entry, and it’s value popping in even for those who solely have a short while to see it.
Housed within the former Bankside Energy Station, Tate Trendy has an enormous assortment of artwork and glorious short-term exhibitions. The Turbine Corridor is awe-inspiring, and the views from the higher flooring are beautiful.
Shakespeare’s Globe
One other of my favourite locations in Bankside is Shakespeare’s Globe. This eye-catching constructing is a reconstruction of an Elizabethan playhouse first constructed in 1599. William Shakespeare wrote his performs within the authentic theater.
At this time locals and guests can come to Shakespeare’s Globe for a wide range of excursions and performances. Whether or not you wish to see one among The Bard’s performs on stage, take a guided tour of the constructing or native space, or simply admire it from the surface, there are many choices.
Subsequent 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 drinks right here goes to help Shakespeare’s Globe, too.
Riverside Pubs
Talking of locations to eat and drink, this space is house to probably the most well-known riverside pubs in London. The Anchor Bankside is a historic watering gap with a warren of wood-paneled rooms and a buzzing riverside backyard.
The Anchor was rebuilt in 1676 after the Nice Hearth of London. It’s the one surviving riverfront tavern of its period, and stepping inside looks like going again in time. You possibly can see my video of the inside right here.
In recent times the pub has turn into generally known as a filming location for Mission: Unattainable. On the finish the film, Ethan Hunt (performed by Tom Cruise) enjoys a well-deserved pint right here. The well-known actor frolicked on the Anchor through the filming, too.
To the west of the Anchor, the Founder’s Arms is one other in style riverside pub. It sits above Bankside Seashore, and it has a terrific out of doors space with views throughout the water.
Locations to Keep
If you wish to base your self on this a part of London, there are many locations to remain. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for a resort or an condominium rental, you’re spoiled for selection.
Bankside is house to all the pieces from a Premier Inn (it’s proper behind The Anchor) to the highly-rated Native Bankside aparthotel and the Hilton London Bankside. Simply west of the realm, Sea Containers and the Autograph Assortment’s Bankside Resort are nice choices as nicely.
My prime choose is the Native Bankside aparthotel. Not solely is it in an excellent location close to the river, but it surely additionally provides a terrific mix of resort facilities and an apartment-style keep. If that appeals, you possibly can guide right here.
Different Highlights
It’s value staying an evening or two within the space, as there are heaps extra issues to do right here. The enduring Millennium Bridge is a well-liked construction to stroll throughout and soak up views of the river.
When you’re into artwork, Bankside Gallery is a good place to browse and purchase. Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1980, this artwork gallery and academic charity is house to the Royal Watercolour Society and Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers.
When you love historic homes as a lot as I do, you gained’t wish to miss the row on Cardinal’s Wharf. Simply west of Shakespeare’s Globe, the properties come full with colourful doorways and commemorative plaques.
If you wish to absorb the solar, Bankside Seashore is a good place to discover. At low tide, you possibly can stroll alongside this pebbly stretch of the Thames foreshore. There are glorious views of the skyscrapers within the Metropolis of London from right here, to not point out steps that make it straightforward to get right down to.
Gardens & Inexperienced Areas
There are gardens and inexperienced areas right here, too. They’re nice locations to sit down and absorb the scene on the river. The Tate Trendy Backyard is a giant space in entrance of the well-known museum. Not solely is it a superb place to relaxation your legs, however there are sometimes artwork installations right here.
Simply east of the museum, the Tate Neighborhood Backyard is open to native residents. When you dwell within the space, it’s a peaceable place to discover. The backyard encompasses a pond, orchard, herb planters, flower beds, and furnishings made by native designers.
Hidden Gems
When you’re concerned about hidden gems, there are a couple of to find right here. One is a French cannon bollard. Simply west of Southwark Bridge, this distinctive piece of heritage was captured through the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Together with different enemy cannons from the battle, it’s stated to have been positioned on the highway as a strategy to flaunt the British victory. Cannons like these had been then used as inspiration for future avenue bollards in London.
One other intriguing web site in Bankside is The Ferryman’s Seat. Simply west of the French cannon bollard, this unassuming piece of rock stands out of a wall on the aspect of a restaurant.
It was as soon as used as a perch for ferryman, who would sit and look forward to paying clients. Seats like this may very well be discovered all alongside the Thames earlier than the bridges put the ferrymen out of enterprise, however that is the one one left.
Walks
If you wish to see extra of this a part of London, you possibly can go on one among my free self-guided walks within the space. From my Thames stroll to my London Bridge stroll, there are a number of that may take you round and present you the perfect of this a part of the UK capital.
When you want a guided tour, there are loads to select from. Along with the aforementioned excursions of Shakespeare’s Globe, there are meals excursions that may take you to Borough Market and themed strolling excursions of the realm. You possibly can see choices and guide one right here.
Space Map
When you’d prefer to see all of the locations I wrote about on this weblog publish, yow will discover an interactive Google map I created right here. You should use it to plan your personal go to to Bankside.
Bankside
I hope you’ve loved this information to Bankside. It’s one among my favourite locations on the Thames in London, and I’m certain for those who go to you’ll like it as a lot as I do.
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