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London Bridge: Area Guide

London Bridge is both a working commuter station and the gateway to one of London's most interesting areas โ€” Borough Market, the Shard, Southwark Cathedral, Bermondsey Street and the South Bank all within a short walk. It's one of the most rewarding corners of the city to spend half a day.

London Bridge: The Crossing

The current London Bridge (opened 1973) is a functional concrete structure โ€” not to be confused with Tower Bridge downstream, which most people are actually picturing when they say "London Bridge." The original medieval bridge had shops and houses on it; the Georgian replacement was famously sold and rebuilt in Arizona in 1968. The view from the bridge looking east toward Tower Bridge is worth the two-minute walk across.

Borough Market

Directly under the railway arches north of the station โ€” one of London's oldest and best food markets, running Wednesday to Saturday. The permanent food hall, fresh produce stalls and street-food vendors make it one of the best lunch destinations in the city. Arrive mid-morning for the best experience before the lunchtime crowds arrive.

The Shard

Renzo Piano's 310-metre glass tower is London's tallest building and is visible from most of central London. The public viewing gallery (The View from the Shard) is ticketed from around ยฃ32; alternatively, the restaurants and bars in the building offer comparable views included in food and drink spend. Aqua Shard on level 31 is accessible without a viewing gallery ticket.

Southwark Cathedral

The medieval cathedral immediately south of the market is free to enter โ€” largely overshadowed by Borough Market but worth ten minutes of quiet contrast. Shakespeare's brother Edmund is buried here; Shakespeare himself is commemorated with a window. The oldest parts date to the 12th century.

Bermondsey Street

A ten-minute walk south of the station along Bermondsey Street reveals a completely different atmosphere โ€” independent restaurants, wine bars, the Fashion and Textile Museum and White Cube gallery. Saturday morning adds Maltby Street Market nearby, the less-crowded alternative to Borough.

Getting There

London Bridge station (Jubilee and Northern lines, National Rail) is one of London's busiest interchange points โ€” well connected to the whole network.

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