South Bank

As the name suggests, the South Bank area of Central London is located on the southern banks of the River Thames. It is one area of the city that is currently experiencing fast growth and development.

Sights & Activities:

One of its most prominent landmarks is the Southbank Centre, an entertainment complex that is also considered the largest centre for the arts in the world. It is mostly composed of the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, and The Hayward art gallery. The centre is the venue of numerous music performances, art exhibits, and other social events. The whole centre is one of the biggest attractions of London and the Royal Festival Hall, for instance, has a huge crowd gathered in its foyers in any given day.

The nearby Jubilee Gardens is actually part of the Southbank Centre and was created to mark the Silver Jubilee celebration of Queen Elizabeth II. On a clear day many people come to this park for leisurely strolls and picnics.

Right next to the Jubilee Gardens is The London Eye, also called the Millennium Wheel. It is a Ferris wheel with observation pods that take visitors high up to its height of 135 meters. They can then take in the sights of London as they slowly rise up this structure.

The promenade fronting The London Eye and the Jubilee Garden is part of The Queen’s Walk, which starts adjacent to Lambeth Bridge and ends across the Tower Bridge. This promenade provides a convenient walkway for tourists to explore the banks of the river and the numerous historic buildings lining it.

Next to the London Eye is the County Hall, which used to be the headquarters of the London County Council and the Greater London Council. During the present times, it houses several attractions and venues for corporate and personal events. Also located within the County Hall is the London Aquarium which displays hundreds of fish species that numerous visitors come to visit all throughout the year.

East of the foot of the Waterloo Bridge is the National Theatre of Great Britain. The theatre is a venue of numerous dramas and contemporary plays.

Also located below the south end of the Waterloo Bridge is the BFI Southbank, which comprises of several film cinemas and exhibition spaces. The BFI also manages the London IMAX, the cinema housed within the circular structure at the roundabout near the bridge.

Eating Out:

Not surprisingly, there are a lot of eating establishments in South Bank, as a lot of visitors make it a point to visit this particular area of London. In fact, most restaurants are located right within the buildings housing several attractions. The Giraffe is located right inside the Royal Festival Hall while the County Hall has a dining establishment bearing the same name. Southbank Centre has the Skylon, while the Concert Hall is the location of The Archduke restaurant. For a more exotic fare, visitors can also stop by the New Peking Inn, situated on Milroy Walk.

There are also several pubs within the area, such as a branch of the well-known All Bar One on Chicheley Street, and The White Hart on Cornwall Road. Those looking to hang out where they can also enjoy river views should head out to the Oxo Tower Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie, located right along the Queen’s Walk near the Blackfriars Bridge.