Your Local Guide to Things to Do in Southwark (SE1 & SE16)

Planning a day out around Bankside, Borough, Bermondsey, or Elephant & Castle? Here’s a concise guide to the best Southwark attractions—balanced between headline icons and local gems—so you can make the most of your time. And if you’re wondering how to free up that time in the first place, consider handing the chores to trusted pros and come home to a sparkling space.

Markets and Food

Borough Market (Borough) – London’s most famous food market is a feast for the senses. Snack on fresh oysters, artisanal cheese, and legendary doughnuts between the Gothic arches of Southwark Cathedral next door. Typical hours: Mon–Thu 10:00–17:00, Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat 08:00–17:00, Sun 10:00–16:00 (check for updates and seasonal changes). If you want to dodge the crowds, go early on weekdays.

Maltby Street Market (Bermondsey) – Smaller than Borough but big on character. Tucked along the Ropewalk, weekends here mean flaky pastries, raclette, and excellent coffee beneath the railway arches. Great for a late-morning graze.

Mercato Metropolitano (Elephant & Castle) – A community-minded food hall with global bites, craft beer, and frequent live events. Ideal if your group can’t agree on one cuisine.

Flat Iron Square (Bankside/Borough) – Street food, pop-ups, and a friendly after-work buzz. Perfect for a pre-theatre bite if you’re off to Shakespeare’s Globe.

Hay’s Galleria & Tooley Street Arches (London Bridge) – Stroll this covered riverside arcade for coffee stops, quick lunches, and the dramatic Navigator sculpture. The surrounding arches hide independent cafés and bakeries.

Art and Culture

Tate Modern (Bankside) – A global heavyweight for contemporary art inside the monumental Turbine Hall. Core collection is free, with paid exhibitions rotating throughout the year. Typical opening times: Sun–Thu 10:00–18:00, Fri–Sat 10:00–22:00 (exhibitions and late openings vary—always check before you go).

Shakespeare’s Globe (Bankside) – Catch an open-air performance in the faithful reconstruction of the Elizabethan theatre, or take a guided tour. Tour times change seasonally and productions sell out—book ahead when possible.

Southwark Cathedral (Borough) – One of London’s oldest Gothic gems beside the market. Step inside for soaring stonework, stained glass, and peaceful cloisters. Entry is free with a suggested donation; special services and events occur year-round.

White Cube Bermondsey (Bermondsey Street) – A pristine space for cutting-edge contemporary shows, and it’s free. While you’re on Bermondsey Street, explore indie boutiques and cafés that give SE1 its creative flair.

The Shard’s Viewing Platform (London Bridge) – The View from The Shard offers far-reaching panoramas across the Thames. Hours and last entry vary by season; sunset slots are popular for a reason.

Riverside Walks

Start at Blackfriars Bridge and head east along the Thames Path for a classic Bankside-to-London Bridge walk, passing Tate Modern, the Globe, and Millennium Bridge (adjacent to St Paul’s across the river in the City). Continue to Hay’s Galleria, then on to Potters Fields Park for head-on views of Tower Bridge. Pack a picnic, or grab treats from Borough Market en route.

Nightlife and Craft Beer

Bermondsey Beer Mile – A string of independent breweries and taprooms beneath the railway arches. Saturdays are buzzy; arrive early if you want a seat and aim to visit two or three stops instead of sprinting the whole stretch.

Bermondsey Street & Flat Iron Square – Post-gallery wine bars, cosy pubs, and live-DJ nights create an easy, walkable evening. If cocktails are your thing, there are great speakeasy-style options dotted along SE1.

Family-Friendly Spaces

Burgess Park (SE1/SE5) – Lakes, meadows, and playgrounds make it a brilliant open space for kids to run wild. Bring bikes or a football; there’s room to spare.

Potters Fields Park – Small but spectacular views. Ideal for an after-lunch breather with Tower Bridge as your backdrop—photos guaranteed.

Southwark Cathedral & Tate Modern – Both are engaging for older kids—cathedral scavenger hunts and Tate’s interactive family trails appear during school holidays.

Rainy-Day and Free Highlights

– Tate Modern free collection and Turbine Hall installations

– White Cube Bermondsey exhibitions (always free)

– Southwark Cathedral (free entry; donations welcome)

– Hay’s Galleria for covered riverside browsing

Want more under-the-radar ideas? This locally-written round-up of secret SE1 spots is a great starting point for lesser-known cafés, courtyards, and curiosities.

Quick Practical Guide

• Nearest Tube/rail hubs: London Bridge (Jubilee, Northern + National Rail), Southwark (Jubilee), Borough (Northern), Elephant & Castle (Bakerloo, Northern + National Rail). All are within the London Borough of Southwark.
• Best times to visit: Weekday mornings for Borough Market; late afternoons for Bankside’s golden-hour light; early evening for Tate-to-Globe strolls; Saturday mornings for Bermondsey Beer Mile before peak crowds.
• Tickets and timings: For Tate Modern openings, Shakespeare’s Globe tours, and The Shard viewing gallery, check official sites for the latest hours and availability—peak weekends and holidays sell out.
• Walking tips: The Thames Path is well signposted; bring layers as riverside breezes can be cool even on sunny days.
• Stay within Southwark: It’s tempting to cross to the South Bank further west (which becomes Lambeth) or over Millennium Bridge to the City—both are adjacent, not Southwark proper.

Make More Time for SE1

Southwark is packed with SE1 attractions, and squeezing them into a weekend is a challenge—especially if the house needs attention. Why not swap scrubbing for strolling? With reliable domestic cleaners in Southwark, you can wander Borough’s food stalls, take in a Tate exhibition, and still come home to a spotless kitchen.

At Glimmr, we hand-pick only the top 2% of applicants, all English-speaking, background-checked, and insured. Many bring hotel-level standards from previous roles, and everything is backed by our 200% Happiness Guarantee. We’re open seven days a week, and booking is seamless—schedule a one-off spruce or a regular plan in under a minute.

Live elsewhere in the area? We also cover South East London broadly, plus nearby boroughs like Wandsworth. For a wider look at our coverage, explore our Cleaners South London page. And if you’ve been searching for trusted cleaners southwark, you’re already in the right place.

Sample Day Out in Southwark

Morning: Coffee on Bermondsey Street, then a free browse through White Cube. Walk up to Maltby Street Market for late breakfast, or cut across to Borough Market if you’re craving something iconic.

Afternoon: Bankside loop—Tate Modern’s collection, a riverside stroll past the Globe and Millennium Bridge, and a peek into Southwark Cathedral. Pause in Hay’s Galleria before crossing to Potters Fields Park for those tower-bridge photos.

Evening: Book The View from The Shard for sunset, then dinner and drinks around Flat Iron Square or along Bermondsey Beer Mile taprooms.

Domestic Cleaning Southwark London—So You Can Do More

From SE1 things to do like markets and galleries to SE16’s parks and river views, there’s always something new on your doorstep. Let Glimmr handle the dusting and deep cleans while you handle the discoveries. After a full day exploring Southwark, nothing beats opening the door to a home that’s fresh, tidy, and weekend-ready.

Ready for the fun part? Enjoy your day out—and when you return, your place will feel like a boutique hotel turn-down. That’s the joy of booking a home clean before you hit the streets of SE1.