5 Things to do near London Bridge Station
London Bridge Station which opened in 1836 is Britain’s oldest railway/tube station. It lies on the south bank of the Thames River between London Bridge on the west and Tower Bridge on the east in the Bermondsey district.
Constructed in 1863, London Bridge Station is one of Britain’s oldest railway/tube stations. It lies on the south bank of the Thames River between London Bridge on the west and Tower Bridge on the east in the Bermondsey district.
Bermondsey was formerly an industrial and warehousing district, which is still noticeable by the names of the streets and the charm of the old warehouse buildings, many of which have been converted to apartments, shops, bars, and restaurants. This area is bustling with tourists and locals at all times, but especially on Friday and Saturday nights when the sidewalk bars and restaurants are overflowing with people having a good time. With so many activities to choose from it can be hard to decide where to go and what to see first. Below are 5 things to do near and around London Bridge Station and Bermondsey Street.
1. Take in the View from The Shard
One of the first things you will want to do near London Bridge Station is to take in the view from the Shard. As the UK’s tallest building, The Shard holds center court in the Bermondsey district. Not only is it a beautiful architectural element from afar and close up, but inside there are many gems to explore. At 1,016 feet (309.6 m) tall, The Shard is home to offices, residences, the Shangri-La Hotel, and 7 restaurants offering a variety of ethnic cuisines to satisfy everyone’s choices. Aside from the multiple cocktail bars, tourists can take a grand view of London from the 68th and 69th floors, as well as an open-air viewing platform on the 72nd floor. Tickets start at £32 ($38 USD) to access the view from this beautiful landmark.
If you find the Shard too modern for your sensibilities, just around every other corner of this district is a historic gem to explore. One such icon is Tower Bridge.
2. Visit Tower Bridge
You may be familiar with the London Bridge of the nursery rhyme but the iconic blue hue of Tower Bridge is the one to view and explore. Tower Bridge was completed in 1894 and remains the only functioning drawbridge that spans the River Thames. The bridge is 240 meters (800 feet) in length and 76 meters (250 feet) wide. The towers are 61 meters (200 feet) high. If you are not afraid of heights, you can use the twin glass-covered walkway to traverse the bridge. On the north side of the bridge, you can visit the famed Tower of London, which was previously a royal palace, a fortress, and a prison and is currently home to the crown jewels still used by Queen Elizabeth. Admission to the Tower is approximately £30 pounds ($36 USD). You get a better deal if you combine it with one of London’s many hop-on and hop-off bus tours. On the south side of Tower Bridge, you can explore Hays Gallery, a converted wharf building that now houses market stalls, high street shops, pubs, and restaurants.
After all the hustle and bustle of usual tourist sites, you can take a morning or an afternoon to do some quiet reflection at a local museum. The Fashion and Textile Museum and the White Cube Gallery are two low-key but well-worth museums located on Bermondsey street a short walk from the station.
3. Visit a local museum
The Fashion & Textile Museum – Bermondsey Street, London
Dedicated to showcasing contemporary as well as historical fashion and textile design, the Fashion and Textile Museum is located in a bright pink building just steps from London Bridge Station at 83 Bermondsey Street. There are opportunities to take classes related to the exhibit as well. I currently visited the exhibit on 150 years of the Royal School of Needlework, which was remarkable and well worth it. The admission fee is £11.50 for adults and free for children 11 years old and under. Students save £2 off the admission fee. Adults 60 years or older should be sure to ask for a “concession” ticket, which will save you £1 off the adult entry fee. To find out what is currently on exhibit, visit the museum website at https://fashiontextilemuseum.org.
White Cube Gallery – Bermondsey Street, London
If your interests lie more towards art than fashion, check out the contemporary art scene in London at the White Cube Gallery located at 144 – 152 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TQ. Located in a previous warehouse building, this unassuming gallery is easy to miss, but don’t. The gallery is not large so it won’t take long to get through. You may not like everything on display but there is sure to be something that intrigues you. The gallery is open Tuesdays – Saturdays from 10 am to 6 pm. Post-COVID, be sure to book ahead online at https://whitecube.com/exhibitions.
If art and artifacts are not your cup of tea, there are plenty of other shops to capture your attention in this neighborhood. Shopping in London is always about finding that one small item that brings joy and will stir memories in the future of a trip well spent.
4. Get in Some Retail Shopping near London Bridge Station
Bermondsey Street is filled with many shops selling local art, crafts, clothing, local gifts, as well as food items. There are small local thrift shops where you can find some real gems and take home the best of British fashion and home goods. Be sure to also explore the shops inside London Bridge Station. Not only is it one of Britain’s oldest terminals but also one the busiest. The shops at London Bridge Station cater not only to tourists but also to busy commuters heading to and from work. Here the shops range from the high-end to the low-end, including Ted Baker London, Pandora, Hanley’s Toy Store, MAC, Starbucks, Crispy Kreme donuts, and Boots Pharmacy for all your necessities. You can even pick up a bottle of wine on our way out.
While you’re in the area make time to check out Borough Market. Established as a marketplace in the 12th century, the current market buildings, which were originally built in the 1850s, now act as a showcase not only for vendors selling sustainable locally farmed produce and British free-range meat but are also home to a variety of specialty food and drinks stalls. With over 100 stores and stalls, plan a long day of exploring. You will find great cheeses, pastries, wines, smoked fish, and a variety of spices to take home.
Stop in at the Borough Market Store for information and souvenirs.
After an afternoon of gallery hopping and shopping, there’s nothing better than dinner and drinks at a local establishment. Look no further than Bermondsey Street and areas near and around the Shard.
5. Go Out for Dinner and Drinks near London Bridge Station
There are seven restaurants located within The Shard itself. For dinner with a view of London, choices at the Shard include Aqua Shard a contemporary British restaurant and bar, Oblix restaurant serving brunch, dinner, and afternoon tea, and Hutong serving northern Chinese dishes on the 31st, 32nd, and 33rd floors respectively.
Beyond the Shard, finding good food and drink in this area is the easiest thing to do. As mentioned before, being in the heart of London, Friday nights and Saturday nights near London Bridge Station can be busy. Leave early to grab a table at one of the sidewalk bars or restaurants that line Bermondsey Street. Otherwise, there are many other indoor options.
For a true British pub experience, check out Old Kings Head. Located off Borough High Street at King’s Head Yard, 45-49 Borough High Street, London SE1 1NA, and serving up authentic British food and drink, this pub is a hidden gem worth exploring. If you’re hungry keep in mind they stop serving food at 5 pm each day, but the drinks flow until 11 pm.
A little further afield but only a 10 to 15-minute walk from London Bridge Station is the best Turkish food in the area at Tower Mangal, located at 555-57 Tower Bridge Road SE1 4TL. The food is authentic, the portions are large and the service is friendly and welcoming. We ate there 5 times during our 11-day stay in the area and every dish was great. Try the grilled sea bass or the mixed lamb doner. Prices are between £9 and £15 pounds. They also have seating for large groups.
In summary, on your next trip to London, if you are lucky enough to be visiting or staying anywhere near London Bridge Station be sure to take in all the area has to offer.
How to Get There: London Underground – Northern Line and Jubilee Lines
More about London: 10 Neighborhoods to Visit Outside Central London