South Bank

Culture along the Thames

Londres

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The vibe

From Westminster to Tower Bridge, the south bank of the Thames forms a long cultural promenade: the London Eye, Southbank Centre, National Theatre, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and Borough Market. It’s London’s finest walk, with the City across the river.

Good to know

The top floor of Tate Modern offers a free view of St Paul’s and the Thames.

When to go

Late in the day, for the light on the Thames and evening performances.

Getting there

Tube to Waterloo, Southwark or London Bridge, or walk over the bridge from Westminster.

The story

How the neighbourhood came to be

Long a bank of docks, warehouses and disreputable Shakespeare-era theatres, the South Bank was transformed by the 1951 Festival of Britain, which left the Royal Festival Hall. Tate Modern, opened in 2000 in a former power station, completed its revival.

Did you know?

1Shakespeare’s Globe is a reconstruction, opened in 1997, of Shakespeare’s theatre, a few hundred metres from the original.
2The London Eye was meant to be temporary: it was built to celebrate the year 2000.

Want to explore further?

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