During the Tudor and Stuart eras, Southwark was a notorious hub of sordid entertainment and a refuge for criminals. Today it's a popular tourist destination thanks to its many interesting attractions.
Look inside beautiful Southwark Cathedral, one of London’s oldest Gothic churches. The cathedral was built in the 13th century, with numerous additions through the 19th century. Inside, notice several memorials to William Shakespeare, who is believed to have worshipped here. Look for the tomb of Shakespeare's brother, Edmund, as well as a stained-glass window depicting characters from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet and The Tempest.
Visit Borough Market, the region’s most iconic food market, held on the same site since the 13th century. During the week, the market has about a dozen vendors. Numbers swell to more than 100 stalls from Thursday to Saturday. Find vendors selling fantastic cheeses, homemade bread, organically farmed meats, fresh coffees and local produce and food products.
Check out Tate Modern, Britain’s largest modern art gallery. The collection is housed in an imaginatively restored mid-20th-century power station, with exhibits spread across seven floors. The gallery’s impressive permanent collection is arranged thematically into categories including “Still Life” and “Landscape.” Look for works by Picasso, Matisse, Anish Kapoor, Monet and Pollock in the Material Gestures galleries.
Discover the compelling Clink Museum on the site of a 12th-century London jail. See medieval torture instruments and learn about the horrifying conditions once endured by prisoners in these cells.
Tour Shakespeare's Globe, a detailed replica of the original 16th-century theatre. Explore the attached museum, which examines Elizabethan theatre and includes an interesting collection of historic Bankside entertainment material. From April to October in the Globe, watch performances ranging from Shakespearean productions to modern plays.
Southwark is located on the south bank of the River Thames. Walk here from Central London and the city’s West End. You can also reach the borough by Tube or bus.
