South Bank
South Bank
4.5
About
South Bank is a beautiful riverside stretch in the heart of London featuring the London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, Southbank Centre, National Theatre, Hayward Gallery, the British Film Institute (BFI) and the London Dungeon, as well as top hotels, shopping and dining destinations. Located within walking distance of Covent Garden, Westminster and Bankside, it is the perfect location for a relaxing stroll by the river or for an evening of world-class entertainment. Known as the cultural heart of London, a packed programme of art, theatre, exhibitions, music, film and free events, make South Bank an inspiring place to explore. South Bank is a wonderful corner of central London to spend time outdoors with its beautiful riverside promenade, the Jubilee Gardens park, Ernie's Beach (one of central London's last remaining publically accessible tidal beaches) and dozens of open-air restaurants and cafes to enjoy.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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The area
Neighbourhood: Southbank
Big time attractions such as the London Eye and a thriving theatre scene (compliments of the National Theatre and the Young Vic) are but a few of the reasons that Southbank is such a collectively cherished part of town. With plenty of family friendly activities and venues lined up along a pedestrianized river bank between Westminster Bridge and Waterloo Bridge, visitors can always expect a casual and festive atmosphere. On top of all the fun stuff to do at Southbank is the opportunity to simply sit back and admire photo-op views of iconic landmarks like Parliament and St Paul's Cathedral, just on across the Thames.
How to get there
- Waterloo • 3 min walk
- Southwark • 6 min walk
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4.5
1,714 reviews
Excellent
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Very good
600
Average
65
Poor
18
Terrible
14
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tatar
Bangkok, Thailand1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Friends
It is another popular place among tourists or people within the city and has the name of a university in that area. There are people of various ages. It's an area close to the rivers named Lambeth Marsh , North Lambeth and connected to the famous bridge, Westminster. I think that area has things that will be very popular, selling things in the city itself, such as antique shops. Shop selling snacks, food, and books or there will be each time the market opens, you have to stay tuned. There are people playing music, comedy shows, and a lot of people passing by the atmosphere is cool and warm, and the attraction is during various seasons or festivals. For me, when I went it was Christmas it was worth it. I liked the cold atmosphere and eating warm cocoa or coffee. The service shops around there had beautiful light decorations that impressed me make preparations to suit the festival. I really like it people talk, laugh and make us happy and have a lot of fun. The shop's service to tourists is very friendly and welcoming. At night it was so beautiful, I couldn't believe it but I had to believe it. In the afternoon to evening, the sunshine and atmosphere are pleasant and people start to come out for a walk. My impression is that it was at the right time that I really liked. Advice for people who want to find out for themselves. You should prepare well for both the cold and the somewhat aching legs, hahaha. But you will be satisfied with this experience. Please go and try it. ;--)
Written 13 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emanuela V
Rome, Italy214 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
Beautiful place where you can do anything!! Eat, walk, have fun, go to the Hayward gallery where there are always interesting exhibitions!!
Nice for an evening walk, during the day...
Really recommended to spend time both alone and with children and friends. It is close to Westminster Bridge and therefore to Big Ben!
Nice for an evening walk, during the day...
Really recommended to spend time both alone and with children and friends. It is close to Westminster Bridge and therefore to Big Ben!
Automatically translated
Written 26 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucian A
Singapore, Singapore11 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
I've sent food here quite a few times (am food delivery rider). The view from the highest floors is simply amazing. The lift is also pretty damn quick, which, due to my irrational fear of lifts, unnerves me a little. But the ride is quite smooth so there isn't much issue there. The security guards are pretty helpful too.
Written 16 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad P
Dallas, TX170 contributions
May 2024 • Family
If you are in London- do not skip the south bank. You can start at the London Eye - or further down with a trip across the Millennium Bridge from St Paul's. From there you can get the Tate, Globe theatre, Borough market and walk the shore down past the Shard and to Tower Bridge. You can easily get the tube or a cab back to the other side once your done. During the holidays there is a nice market set up near the tower bridge.
Written 24 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
therichastill
Stevenage, UK3,656 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
The South Bank of London was first regenerated in the 1950's with the Festival of Britain. This led to the construction of the Royal Festival Hall which is still used for concerts to this day.
After the closure of County Hall this was repurposed and now houses the Sea Life Centre and also a McDonalds.
Further downstream the Globe Theatre was built to recreate the original location where William Shakespeare's plays can now be seen.
There is also the Tate Modern art gallery which is free to enter and is on the site of a former power station.
Right outside it is the Millennium Bridge which will take you over the River Thames to St Paul's Cathedral. When this Bridge first opened in 2000 it was known as the Wibbly Wobbly Bridge as when people were crossing it was moving and people felt ill. Following closure these issues were resolved.
These are just some of the bigger attractions on the South Bank of the Thames. There are plenty of other things to see. It is pedestrianised so safe to walk but watch out for people on e-scooters.
Highly recommended for entertainment and views.
After the closure of County Hall this was repurposed and now houses the Sea Life Centre and also a McDonalds.
Further downstream the Globe Theatre was built to recreate the original location where William Shakespeare's plays can now be seen.
There is also the Tate Modern art gallery which is free to enter and is on the site of a former power station.
Right outside it is the Millennium Bridge which will take you over the River Thames to St Paul's Cathedral. When this Bridge first opened in 2000 it was known as the Wibbly Wobbly Bridge as when people were crossing it was moving and people felt ill. Following closure these issues were resolved.
These are just some of the bigger attractions on the South Bank of the Thames. There are plenty of other things to see. It is pedestrianised so safe to walk but watch out for people on e-scooters.
Highly recommended for entertainment and views.
Written 26 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1961GaryC
Bradford, UK536 contributions
Aug 2021
Our group spent half a day here, had food, drink, people watched and the time passed very quickly.
Lots of street entertainers working, Oxo Tower and London Eye towards each end of the area with plenty to see and do in between.
It was busy but not overwhelmingly so. Pubs and cafes were busy but also had seats available in most places we saw and visited. South Bank is still worth a stop and remains a London attraction where its possible to have a good time and not spend a fortune.
Lots of street entertainers working, Oxo Tower and London Eye towards each end of the area with plenty to see and do in between.
It was busy but not overwhelmingly so. Pubs and cafes were busy but also had seats available in most places we saw and visited. South Bank is still worth a stop and remains a London attraction where its possible to have a good time and not spend a fortune.
Written 2 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lia P
Colchester, UK4 contributions
Jul 2022
We have always loved the South Bank, I have been going with my family since I was a baby and still go now! Yes it's busy, but not overwhelmingly so. Lots of talented buskers and artists (you will be sure to find a little souvenir to take back) - not to mention the variety of food stalls and restaurants.
If you're ever in London I highly recommend going to the South Bank, you won't regret it!
If you're ever in London I highly recommend going to the South Bank, you won't regret it!
Written 20 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda_R
Hampton Hill, UK19 contributions
Feb 2022
A fantastic river walk and a place to enjoy great views, architecture, shops, restaurants, galleries and it's free. We walked along the river from Waterloo to Borough Market. Along the way we passed the Royal Festival Hall an iconic building with a free exhibition about the post-war Festival of Britain. It was really interesting to see the origins of the South Bank site. We also had a look in their shop which had some nice bits. We carried on along the river past the skateboarders making use of their colourful, graffiti covered undercroft doing some amazing flips and tricks. My teenage son really enjoyed this. Then we browsed in the open air book market outside the British Film Institute. Moving onwards we were very quickly at the National Theatre which is a brutalist architectural treat. We carried on admiring the river views and the historic dolphin lamp posts until we came to Gabriels' Wharf. Slightly off the main path the wharf is home to some quirky little shops and galleries, a bit of a hidden gem. I bought lots of greetings cards from the Southbank Printmakers Gallery. Oh yes, and we all went to the loo in the public convenience! Then we carried on to Blackfriars Bridge through a tunnel where there was an incredible busker who sang to us as we walked by. Before we called into the Tate to see some weird inflatables in the Turbine Hall, we stopped into the Bankside gallery which had a great exhibition of watercolours. After the Tate we found the Shakespeare's Globe and the Millennium Bridge with fantastic views across to St Pauls. The fantastic thing London does with historic old buildings rubbing shoulders with super modern. Passing along narrow London streets we saw the Clink Museum and we also happened upon the Golden Hind a full size replica of the Tudor Ship. Finally getting to Borough Market for some lunch and with its incredible array of food stalls. Amazing riverside walk full of interest!
Written 16 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN8,529 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
Located on the south bank of the Thames between Westminster Bridge and Waterloo Bridge. This highly touristed area is best known for the London Eye but is also the location of the Royal Festival Hall and is the start of the scenic South Bank Walking Path that stretches all along the river to Tower Bridge and provides great views across the Thames. There are usually street performers present and many places to sit and take in the sights and sounds of this busy area.
Written 6 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian C
London, UK23,656 contributions
Aug 2020
To me, the overall South Bank runs from Westminster Bridge all the way to London Bridge, providing a spine connecting a wide range of London's cultural and entertainment institutions, with lots of places to eat and drink along the way, including the London Dungeon, Sea World, the London Eye, the Royal Festival Hall, the National Theatre, the Oxo Tower, Tate Modern, the Globe, Borough Market and Southwark Cathedral.
If you have a day to visit, it is an enjoyable area to explore from one end to the other; otherwise do as I do and dip in and out of different parts . Last weekend, I was at Tate Modern and the London Bridge area; today it was the core of the South Bank around the South Bank Centre.
The institutions on the South Bank comprise one of the largest arts complexes in Europe with the Royal Festival Hall which dates back to the Festival of Britain in 1951, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room (1967), the Hayward Gallery (1968) and the National Theatre, along with the discrete British Film Theatre (1957) that sits under and alongside Waterloo Bridge. For architects, they comprise a collection of Modern and Brutalist buildings which have their unique character.
Although the doors are closed in the current health situation and the lights in the performance venues are dimmed, visitors are increasing, with many of the restaurants, cafes and pop-up units open along the river, and many outdoor areas in which to sit and enjoy a drink or meal in the sunshine or, as today, when the weather was threatening to be a little more stormy
If you have a day to visit, it is an enjoyable area to explore from one end to the other; otherwise do as I do and dip in and out of different parts . Last weekend, I was at Tate Modern and the London Bridge area; today it was the core of the South Bank around the South Bank Centre.
The institutions on the South Bank comprise one of the largest arts complexes in Europe with the Royal Festival Hall which dates back to the Festival of Britain in 1951, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room (1967), the Hayward Gallery (1968) and the National Theatre, along with the discrete British Film Theatre (1957) that sits under and alongside Waterloo Bridge. For architects, they comprise a collection of Modern and Brutalist buildings which have their unique character.
Although the doors are closed in the current health situation and the lights in the performance venues are dimmed, visitors are increasing, with many of the restaurants, cafes and pop-up units open along the river, and many outdoor areas in which to sit and enjoy a drink or meal in the sunshine or, as today, when the weather was threatening to be a little more stormy
Written 26 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there, we have a huge selection of restaurants in the area offering everything from fast casual to fine dining, and all sorts of cuisines from across the world.
If you prefer chains we have many of the big ones such as Wagamama, Wahaca, Giraffe, Pizza Express, La Strada, Las Iguanas, Gails, Le Pain Quotidien etc.
Popular special occasion restaurants include Oxo Tower, Skylon at the Southbank Centre or Sea Containers, or for small and quirky there's hidden gems like Okan or Marsha - the world's your oyster!
You can explore our full South Bank dining guide at our official website :)
Written 17 January 2023
Ciao, è consigliabile passeggiare al south bank di sera intorno alle 20?
Written 7 March 2019
Dipende dalla zona, in alcuni punti ci sono dei locali aperti di sera con un po' di gente vicino ma, per il resto, è un posto un po' buio e deserto di sera. Molto meglio fare una passeggiata di giorno.
Written 7 March 2019
Ciao, è consigliabile passeggiare al south bank di sera intorno alle 20?
Written 7 March 2019
Good morning
Do you have a double room available on Friday 4th December, leaving on the morning of the 6th December and is there any parking in the area.
Regards
Pearl
Written 4 December 2015
There are lots of hotels nearby and lots of separate public parking. Rather than fight the London traffic I would do what someone else has suggested: stay out of town (not necessarily as far away as Colliers Wood) and take the tube to Waterloo. South Bank is 5 minutes' walk from the station.
Written 6 December 2015
jenny2519
Surrey, United Kingdom
Do they have free WIFI you can use and is there a gym as well please ??????
Written 1 October 2015
There is free WiFi that is better near the eye and there's one in the southbank centre, also McDonald's and neds has WiFi, I think there's more but these are the ones that come to mind
Written 21 November 2018
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