South Bank Walk London: Self-Guided Walking Tour

The South Bank Walk starts at Westminster Bridge and follows the River Thames east to Tower Bridge. It takes in more iconic landmarks, free galleries, and great food than any other walking route in the city.

Few walks deliver as much variety as this one.

Over the walk’s four miles, you’ll pass Westminster Palace, the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Shard, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.

Along the way, you can stop at our favourite modern art gallery, the best London food market, some excellent street art and a 40-year-old book market tucked under a Victorian bridge.

The walking route follows the south bank of the Thames from Westminster Tube Station to Tower Hill Tube Station, and takes about two to three hours.

However, if you grab lunch at Borough Market, explore the Tate Modern, and stop at any one of the major sights, it will take most of the day.

This post includes a detailed map, route instructions, and suggestions for where to eat. The walk is entirely flat, on paved surfaces, and can be shortened at several natural stopping points if you don’t want to do the whole route in one go.

Paul and I have walked this route more times than we can count over the 30 years we have lived in London. It never gets old.

South Bank Walk Overview

• Start – Westminster Tube Station
• End – Tower Hill Tube Station
• Distance – 3.8 miles (6.2 kilometres)
• Walking Time – 2 to 3 hours (full day with stops)
• Best For: Full day exploring London’s greatest landmarks

The walk begins at Westminster Tube Station and runs west to east along the south bank of the River Thames, ending at Tower Hill Tube Station. You can complete it in either direction, but west to east means you approach Tower Bridge head-on at the end — one of the great views in London.

The route can also be shortened naturally at Blackfriars (after the Tate Modern) or London Bridge (after Borough Market) if you don’t want to cover the full distance in one go.

If you walk without stopping, it will take about 2 to 3 hours. But there are so many great sights to explore, plan for a full day.

Some of the main attractions (such as Westminster Palace, the London Eye and the Tower of London) should be booked in advance. We have included booking details in the instructions below.

Map: South Bank Walk

Below is a map of the walk. The main attractions are marked so you don’t miss any of the sights. If you have the map open on your phone as you walk around, you can follow your progress.

When to Do the Walk

Morning is the best time to start. The South Bank gets busy quickly, particularly around the London Eye and Tate Modern, and an early morning start gives you the riverside largely to yourself. Westminster Bridge is at its most atmospheric in the morning light, and we love taking photos of the Palace of Westminster reflected in the Thames below.

Plan your day around Borough Market. This is the most important timing consideration on the whole route. The market is closed on Mondays, and is busiest between 11 am and 2 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

For the best views of Tower Bridge, time your arrival for late afternoon. The bridge is particularly photogenic in the golden hour before sunset. The best time to be up the Shard is at sunset.

The walk is good year-round and entirely on paved, flat surfaces, so the weather is less of a factor than on some of the greener routes in our Best Walks in London Series.

In winter, the Southbank Winter Market sets up between the London Eye and the Southbank Centre from mid-November through to January. It’s a very festive part of the city, and we cover this in our favourite things do in London at Christmas.

Where to Eat & Drink

The South Bank walk passes some of the best food and drink stops in London. Here are the places we often stop, in the order you’ll reach them on the route.

Black Penny is our regular stop for coffee or brunch near the start of the walk, It is just off the South Bank, close to the Leake Street detour.

Southbank Centre Food Market runs on the riverside outside the Royal Festival Hall on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The stalls sell all sorts of snacks.

Oxo Tower Bar & Brasserie on the eighth floor of Oxo Tower Wharf is the most special lunch option on the walk. The riverside views are excellent, and it makes a great spot for a smart meal. Book ahead for the restaurant.

Borough Market is the undisputed highlight for food on the entire walk. Monmouth Coffee is the go-to for coffee, and the hot food stalls make it ideal for lunch.

Founder’s Arms & Anchor Bankside are the best riverside pubs on the route. The outside tables have excellent views across the river, and we often head back for a pint after lunch at Borough Market.

Our Self-Guided South Bank Walk

Palace of Westminster & Big Ben

Take the underground to Westminster Tube Station. Exiting the station, the Palace of Westminster, one of the most important buildings in English history, is directly in front of you.

Built in the 11^th century, it was the primary home of kings of England until 1512. Westminster Hall (the oldest part still standing) was where Curia Regis (the predecessor to parliament) met when the king was in residence.

Two fires destroyed much of the building, but Westminster Hall survived and was incorporated into the current building which was completed in 1847.

Rising above Westminster Palace is the famous clocktower, nicknamed ‘Big Ben’ after its largest bell. It looks spectacular since its restoration was completed in 2022.

Tours // Taking a tour of Westminster Palace is one of the best things to do in London.

National Covid Memorial Wall

Walk over Westminster Bridge enjoying the excellent views over the river Thames and back to Westminster Palace. At the end of the bridge turn right and take the steps down to the riverfront.

To your left, you’ll find the National Covid Memorial Wall. Created in 2021, over 220,000 individually hand-painted red hearts, each representing a person in the UK who died of Covid-19, stretch along a 500-metre section of wall.

Some of the best views of Big Ben and Westminster Palace are just opposite the wall.

London Eye

Now head under Westminster Bridge and follow the south bank of the river as it heads east. The London Eye is in front of you but there are several good attractions for kids along the way.

The Sea Life Aquarium contains 500 species in 14 themed zones. There are sharks, octopuses, penguins, and jellyfish as well as coral reef inhabitants.

Shrek’s Adventure is an immersive experience of the films. It includes a 4D flying bus, interactive meetings with characters, and a treasure hunt.

The London Dungeon is a mix of themed rides and shows that bring to life London’s haunted past. Meet Jack the Ripper, Sweeney Todd, Guy Fawkes, and other murderers.

The London Eye is one of the iconic images of the city. The 135-metre-high observation wheel completes a full rotation every 30 minutes, offering excellent views of London.

Built for the millennium, it was originally intended to be temporary, but 25 years later it is still going strong.

If you are thinking of going on the London Eye, book in advance, as the queues can be staggering.

Leake Street Arches

Next, make the short but very worthwhile detour to the Leake Street Arches (directions are on the map above).

Leake Street is a pedestrian walkway that tunnels under the railway tracks outside Waterloo Station. The walls are a vibrant and colourful mix of graffiti and street art. The ceiling, which is harder to reach, contains enduring images from famous street artists.

The detour is 400-metres of extra walking each way and takes 10-15 minutes. If, like us, you are a fan of street art, try our street art in Shoreditch self-guided walk.

Southbank Centre

Continue along the pedestrian walkway and under the Golden Jubilee Bridges to reach the Southbank Centre – the UK’s largest, publicly funded arts centre, and a major hub for music, dance, literature, and theatre.

It consists of four main buildings: the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, and the Hayward Gallery. These iconic Brutalist structures, along with surrounding walkways and terraces, were developed in the 1960s,

First is the Royal Festival Hall, London’s leading classical music venue, whose suspended auditorium and symmetrically designed staircases have become known as an ‘egg in a box’.

The Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room, housed in a brutalist concrete box, host gigs and performances. Stick your head in to see the architecture.

Behind them is the Hayward Gallery (£18), containing world-renowned contemporary art. Every three months it showcases an adventurous or influential artist from across the world. We always checkout the website to see what’s showing.

The walk now continues under Waterloo Bridge. Tucked beneath its arches is the Southbank Book Market. Open every day from 10 am to 5.30 pm, it’s been operating for over 40 years and carries hundreds of second-hand books, maps, and comics.

Royal National Theatre

A little further along the river Thames is the Royal National Theatre, often just called the National. It’s another brutalist building, but the balance of horizontal and vertical elements inside has earned it a place on both the 10 most popular and 10 most hated buildings in London.

While you can see the foyer for free, you need to go to a performance or join a guided tour to get inside the theatres. Check the National Theatre website for details.

Don’t miss the Laurence Olivier statue and the other celebrating Pride just outside.

Gabriel’s & Oxo Tower Wharf

Continue eastward along the South Bank. As views open up towards St Paul’s Cathedral and the skyscrapers of the city, the walk now passes through a couple of attractions.

Gabriel’s Wharf is a small square home to independent art galleries and clothes stores.

Oxo Tower Wharf houses an eight-floor building with the bottom two floors home to independent artisans and design studios. Oxo Tower Bar & Brasserie, on the top floor, is a great spot for a nice lunch overlooking the river.

There’s a free public viewing gallery, but the views are better from the Tate Modern Café which is coming up.

Founder’s Arms & Bankside Gallery

Continue along the Thames, pass under Blackfriars Bridge to reach the Founder’s Arms. This is a great pub to grab a drink while sitting at the outside tables taking in the views.

Behind the pub is Bankside Gallery. Owned and run by the Royal Watercolours Society, it presents a collection of affordable watercolours which you can buy. It’s free to enter.

Tate Modern

Next up on the Southbank is Tate Modern. It houses the UK’s national collection of modern and contemporary art in the converted Bankside Power Station. It’s a magnificent art gallery in a splendid building and it’s completely free to visit.

The giant Turbine Hall often houses enormous installations. The galleries contain several notable works by Lichtenstein, Mondrian, Picasso and many more.

Head to the Tate Modern Café on Level 10 in the Blavatnik Building. It does decent food, but most importantly, it has excellent views over the city of London.

Millennium Bridge

The Millennium Bridge is just outside the Tate. This steel suspension pedestrian bridge was opened on 10 June 2000. On its very first day, as people walked over the bridge, it began to oscillate and sway. It was closed later that day and nicknamed the “Wobbly Bridge.”

Today there’s no need to worry and it’s worth taking a short detour onto the bridge for the excellent views up the river and over to St Paul’s Cathedral.

Shakespeare Globe

Return to the South Bank and continue along the embankment to Shakespeare’s Globe. This theatre is a realistic reconstruction of the original Elizabethan playhouse, first built in 1599, for which Shakespeare wrote his plays.

True to the original, the circular design has seats running along its edge and a large uncovered standing area for cheaper tickets.

Plays generally run from April to October, but you can join a Globe Theatre Guided Tour any time of the year.

Clink Street

Continue walking along the South Bank. After passing under Southwark Bridge, the path leaves the river and heads under the railway lines via the Clink Street Tunnel.

The arches here are often covered in street art. Last time we visited, a Woskerski commission by Wagamama of a kid eating noodles brightened up the walls. Just beside it, Jimmy C’s usual pointillist style captures Shakespeare holding a skull.

You can see more of their work on our Shoreditch Street Art walk.

Next up is Clink Prison Museum. Dating back to 1144, it’s one of England’s oldest and most notorious prisons.

Southwark has always been the unruly neighbour of The City (read our City of London walking guide). Clink prison held the more raucous citizens. Tours of the prison relive the scandalous tales of famous inmates. As a special treat, you can also handle old torture devices.

Exiting the railways arches you’ll find a docked wooden boat. This is a 1973 full-size replica of the Golden Hind, the galleon captained by Sir Francis Drake during his circumnavigation of the world between 1577 and 1580.

You can take a guided tour or use a self-guided audio guide to explore the ship. However, it’s currently being restored and not looking its best.

Borough Market

Heading away from the South Bank on Cathedral Street, and passing the towering spire of Southwark Cathedral, you’ll arrive at Borough Market. Our favourite market in London, it is an epicurean delight.

Dating back to the 12^th century, the food market showcases a mix of local British produce and international flavours. Find artisanal breads, fragrant cheeses, strange ales, and decadent sweets.

Sitting under the railway arches, the market can be a wonderfully moody experience. Steam rises from the old street stalls and smells waft in the air. It’s a great spot for a bite to eat, a coffee (Monmouth) or a glass of wine.

The Shard

Exit Borough Market, cross over the A3, and head down St Thomas Street towards The Shard.

Officially known as ‘The Shard of Glass’ this iconic building was completed in 2012. With 95 floors reaching up to 310 metres it is the highest in skyscraper London and almost twice as high as any other viewpoint in the city.

There’s an observation deck on the 72^nd floor with excellent views over St Pauls and the River Thames, but tickets aren’t cheap. It’s slightly better value to have a drink at Aqua Shard (on the 31^st floor). Alternatively, you can enjoy a deluxe cocktail experience at Gōng on the 52^nd floor. 

At the Shard turn left off St Thomas Street and wind your way through the vaults of London Bridge Station following signs for Tooley Street. Turn right on Tooley Street, then left through pretty Hays Galleria, and finally right again to re-join the South Bank.

Hms Belfast

Next up on the South Bank is HMS Belfast, one of the last remaining vessels of its kind from World War II. It’s a floating museum on a Royal Navy cruiser and part of the Imperial War Museum.

It’s easy enough to see the ship from the South Bank but if you want to explore the decks and learn about its storied history, then you’ll need to buy a ticket.

Tower Bridge

Leave the South Bank and walk over Tower Bridge. London’s most ornate bridge was built between 1886 and 1894. The two bridge towers are connected at the upper level by two horizontal walkways and at the lower level by a pair of bascules that open to allow boats to pass underneath.

It’s free to walk across the pedestrian footpath on the lower levels. You’ll need to buy a ticket to head up the towers, visit the Victorian bascule engine rooms, and look through the glass floors of the upper-level walkways.

Tower of London

The final attraction on our self-guided South Bank London Walk is the Tower of London. It was founded in 1066, but the white tower that gives the castle its name was built by William the Conqueror in 1078.

It was expanded in the 12^th and 13^th centuries to occupy an imposing location by the river Thames and the general layout has remained ever since.

It’s free to walk around the outer walls, but to see the Crown Jewels and explore the White Tower, Medieval Palace, and torture exhibition you’ll have to head inside. It’s one of the best things to do in London but be sure to book a time slot in advance.

The walk ends at Tower Bridge Tube Station, where the Circle, District or DLR lines can whisk you home.

If you enjoyed this walk, be sure to check out our other favourite walks in London. For longer walks in the green spaces on the edge of the city, read our best country walks near London.

More London Self-Guided Walking Guides

• Our favourite 15 walks in London with maps.
• See the best Shoreditch Street Art on our self-guided walking route.
• Enjoy the picturesque stroll along the Regent’s Canal walk.
• Explore one of London’s best green spaces on our Hampstead Heath walk.
• Take the iconic walk through Regent’s Park and Camden Town.
• See the grandeur of London on our Royal Parks & Palaces walk.
• See the best Instagram spots on our Notting Hill walk.
• Explore the heart of historic London on our City of London walking tour.
• Take a historic stroll along the Queen’s Walk in London.
• Our Southbank London walk covers several iconic landmarks.
• See the best of the lights on our Christmas Lights walking route.