6 Things to do in Southwark

As one of the oldest areas in London, there is plenty to see and do in Southwark.  This South London district is having something of a revival; and it is becoming an increasingly trendy and chic place to be but best of all is that the majority of tourists haven’t yet discovered this so a visit here will not only put you at the heart of some of the hottest events and attractions but you will also get to avoid having to push through the crowds of visitors and tourists in order to enjoy yourself.

 Bankside Gallery

If you only have time to visit one art gallery during your trip to London then forgo the busier and more popular Tate Collection and head to nearby Bankside Gallery instead.  This gallery is the home of the Royal Watercolour Society and the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers and showcases the best in contemporary water-based media and prints, focussing on both new and established artists.  It is open daily from 11am-6pm and situated just across the Millennium Bridge.  The gallery is an educational charity so relies on donations; it is also possible to purchase many of the works of art on display if any take your fancy whilst wandering around the gallery.

 Alfred Salter and Daughter

When it comes to discovering bronze statues in London there are an absolute multitude for you to choose from but perhaps one of the most moving can be found in the Cherry Gardens in Bermondsey.  This multi-part sculpture known as ‘Doctor Salter’s Daydream’ shows Alfred Salter as an old man waving to his daughter Joyce, who is leaning against the Thames wall with her cat.  The Salters’ lost their daughter when she was just eight years old from scarlet fever because at the time the Salter family were living amongst the poorest people in the area due to Doctor Salter’s work.  Whether as a direct result of their tragic loss or not, Doctor Salter then became a great advocate for proper healthcare for children in the area, particularly those suffering with tuberculosis and the statue is in part a memorial for this.  Regardless, it is a moving view of a man looking back over happier times when his ‘ray of sunshine’, as Joyce was often described, was still alive.  If you want to visit this sculpture it should take around half an hour by public transport to get from the Shaftesbury Hyde Park International to Bermondsey underground station.

 Nunhead Cemetery

Despite being one of London’s seven magnificent cemeteries, and probably the most attractive of them all, Nunhead Cemetery is one of the least visited in the city.  It was built around 1840 and contains some amazing monuments, headstones and Gothic gloom; with a very ‘secret garden-esque’ feel to it.  As there is no-one famous buried here it is often overlooked in favour of the likes of Highgate Cemetery which makes it the perfect place to head if you want to escape the busyness of the city for a short while.  This lack of interest is also what has, in part, contributed to the beauty of the cemetery as it was neglected for a long time with the plants allowed to become overgrown.  Although steps are now being taken to remedy this, the untouched feel definitely adds to the eerie yet peaceful atmosphere of the cemetery.  Better yet, if you follow the correct path you will be rewarded with a stunning and unimpeded view of St Paul’s Cathedral off in the distance.

 East Dulwich Picturehouse

If you want to visit the cinema whilst in London, perhaps thanks to your Premier Club Rewards, then choosing to head to a Picturehouse rather than a standard cinema is definitely worth doing and East Dulwich Picturehouse brings its own particular brand of charm to the experience. This 3-screen theatre mainly shows indie and mainstream films with an occasional nod towards the independent sector as well.  There is a stylish café which serves British food and refreshments and inside the screens themselves you can choose from sofas placed at the back of the screen or standard seats which recline and offer plenty of legroom.  We can’t promise that the film will be decent but we can say you will have an enjoyable time nonetheless.

Borough Market

Borough Market is the place to head if you profess to have any kind of interest in food.  Which, lets face it, should be every single one of us?  It is London’s most renowned food market and sells all kinds of fresh and locally sourced produce from fruit and vegetables to artisan beer and wine.  The market is open most days of the week although is closed on Sundays, having the longest opening hours on a Saturday.  Whether you just want to pick up a few treats to take back home or you fancy putting a little picnic together for the afternoon, you should definitely spend some time wandering around the stalls and seeing what is on offer here.  We recommend not visiting on an empty stomach though as you may not be able to handle all the many delightful smells and sights which are present here.

 The Four Quarters

Whether you are a self-professed gamer or you simply fancy a trip through nostalgia then head to the Four Quarters.  This laidback bar is home to a number of classic arcade games such as Space Invaders, Pac Man and Street Fighter II.  During the afternoon the Four Quarters acts as a café before starting to serve craft beers and other alcoholic beverages as evening draws in.  Food served here is US-style grill although there are several pub classics on offer as well.  For those who are particularly into their classic arcade games, there are regular tournaments and one-off special events to get involved with too.