A local’s guide to visiting London Bridge with its hidden gems and best things to do near Tower Bridge – and a few secret spots near Bermondsey and Southwark!
London Bridge is a central London neighborhood that belongs on any and all itineraries and bucket lists you’d want to create for yourself.
My favorite area to spend time in, when I live in London, is but South Bank.
The flow of the water, people chatting and walking about, and smells coming from the street food stalls is something that makes me feel truly alive.
Whether you’re visiting London for the first time or have been living here for years, you’ll find in this guide plenty of secret spots to unravel around Tower Bridge, London Bridge Station, and even a little further out.
Visiting London Bridge: 40+ Hidden Gems and Things to Do
You will find famous landmarks in this guide, like Borough Market, but if you’ve been here before, you know I’m on to something different.
As such, I’ve decided to share with you some secret street art spots that I’ve come across while walking around The Shard, where I used to work at Oblix Restaurant before the pandemic.
We’ll also walk down South Bank in search of unique shops and sights.
At the end of this guide, I’ve also shared with you some other places to visit when you’re done with London Bridge (although, to be fair… You’re never truly done with it).
Best Things to Do in London Bridge: Guy’s Hospital
Established in 1721, Guy’s Hospital is one of the oldest and largest teaching hospitals in London, and located opposite London Bridge Station, St Thomas Street side.
From St Thomas Street, enter Guy’s Hospital and cross the courtyard – you’ll find, at the end, the secret statue of English poet John Keats and very instagrammable arches.
Best Things to Do near London Bridge: Borough Market
It’s undeniable that Borough Market is one of London’s best markets, but I try to avoid it at any cost when I live in London.
During spring and summer, this is just one of the most crowded places in London.
I do have to admit, however, that the selection of fresh bread and fish specialties, colorful produce, goat milk’s ice cream and wonderful street food stalls is enticing.
Bread Ahead Bakery’s doughnuts attract me to Borough Market more often than I would care to admit, too.
Borough Market is actually also one of the oldest markets in London, with a history that dates back over a thousand years: it was already used as a trading hub in the Middle Ages.
You can spot the historical richness of Borough Market in its architecture as well, although the current wrought-iron and glass roof was built in the 18th century.
Best Things to Do near London Bridge: Southwark Cathedral near Borough Market
Just off Borough Market, we have one of the most beautiful churches of London: the Southwark Cathedral.
When going from Borough Market to the Winchester Palace ruins, instead of taking a left to Southbank, take a right and you’ll find Southwark Cathedral.
Officially known as the Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie, Southwark Cathedral has a history dating back to the 12th century.
The cathedral has long been associated with theatre, mainly because William Shakespeare’s brother was buried here.
It is, in addition, a great stop to have on a bookish itinerary, as it was namely frequented by William Shakespeare.
You will not only find a Shakespeare sculpture in the cathedral, but also a sculpture representing him in the secret churchyard.
A place few people know about, and just as picturesque as the inside of the cathedral, if I may!
Best Things to Do near London Bridge: Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden
Located on the roof of the Southbank Centre, we have a completely free rooftop, that of the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
It provides completely free views of London and the Thames River, and when it’s sunny and warm out, the Roof Garden is a great place to hang out with friends.
The Southbank Centre in itself hosts plenty of live performances and events throughout the year, which adds to the cultural importance of the Southbank area.
Best Places to Visit in London Bridge: Winchester Palace Ruins
When you leave London Bridge Station and make your way to Borough Market, walk a couple of minutes more and you’ll reach Winchester Palace on the left, one of London’s medieval sites.
Originally built in the 12th century as the London residence for the Bishops of Winchester, Winchester Palace was once known for its fame and grandeur.
Today, the surviving remnants, including the rose window and part of the Great Hall, can still be enjoyed for free.
You can’t enter the grounds, as the ruins of Winchester Palace are protected, but you can still get very close and feel that medieval atmosphere.
Go back on your steps for about thirty seconds, and you’ll also see the Golden Hinde II ship – another one of my favorite hidden gems in London Bridge.
Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge: Golden Hinde II Ship
The Golden Hinde II ship faces one of my favorite study cafes in London, Caffè Nero: it’s spacious, with a beautiful wooden architecture and comfortable sofas.
The Golden Hinde II ship was built in Devon, England using traditional methods and materials to resemble the appearance and structure of a 16th-century galleon, and launched in 1973.
The ship itself is a full-scale replica of the Golden Hind, flagship of famous English explorer Sir Francis Drake which originally traveled the world between 1577 and 1580 – one of the most significant voyages at the time.
Best Things to Do near London Bridge: Shipwrights Arms, Tooley Street
While I don’t drink alcohol, I can still very much enjoy the beauty of London pubs; the Shipwrights Arms on Tooley Street offers a gorgeous exterior.
The pub, with its bright blue facade, was built in 1884 and is now a Grade 2 listed building.
Once you’re done admiring the sculptures on the outside of the Shipwrights Arms, cross the road, and, looking up, you’ll be able to see two more secret statues.
Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge: Brand Academy and Coffee Academy at the Oxo Tower
When times are colder in London, one of my favorite things to do is to pop by Coffee Academy for a cup of hot chocolate.
Coffee Academy is part of the gift and concept store Brand Academy, a store in which you’ll find many independent brands, from candles to stationery.
That’s also where you can buy some of my favorite soft toys, the Jellycat plushies.
Coffee Academy also carries the incredible Crosstown Doughnuts.
If you remember, I told you about places to buy deliciously fluffy doughnuts in London a handful times, and the brand I always go back to is Crosstown Doughnuts.
Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge: Shad Thames
One of the oldest streets in London, Shad Thames was once part of London’s docklands and used to be lined by warehouses used to store tea, coffee and spices.
All around Shad Thames, today, while we’ve not lost the cobbled streets vibe, businesses established have more to do with fashion, design and food than with maritime history.
Out of the many secret alleys and passageways London still features to this day, I think Shad Thames is my favorite.
It might very well be one of the most unusual, explaining why I feel attracted to this place.
Still, if you’re looking for free things to do near London Bridge, a visit to Shad Thames brings you straight back into history, and Butler’s Wharf nearby is a great place to have breakfast or lunch.
Best Things to Do near London Bridge: Hay’s Galleria
Hay’s Galleria is a historic landmark very much reminiscent of London Bridge’s past as a maritime neighborhood, and formerly known as Hay’s Wharf, after merchant Alexander Hay who constructed it.
During the Victorian era, Hay’s Wharf became one of the most important industrial areas of the city, with warehouses, quays and offices bustling with life.
However, as the industrial landscape of the city changed at the end of the 20th century, the area was no longer in use, which led to a redevelopment, and what we know today as Hay’s Galleria.
Today, it’s a shopping and eating destination, filled with coffee shops like Cafe Piazza, where you can have amazing hot chocolate and great pancakes, along with bookshops and independent boutiques.
Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge: Druid Street Market
One of the most secret markets in London, Druid Street Market is located in Bermondsey, on Druid Street, and renowned for its local and artisanal producers and international street food vendors.
Operating on Saturdays, the market is surrounded by incredible historic architecture which, to me, makes it even more interesting than the food.
And you know I love finding all kinds of bakeries and cheap eats in London, so that says a lot about the vibe you feel when walking around Druid Street.
Even if you’re not planning to buy food, Druid Street Market is a cute place to visit, especially since it’s located really close to Potters Field Park and Tower Bridge.
You’re actually not too far from Waterloo either when visiting the market, so make sure you check out all of Waterloo’s hidden gems as well!
Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge: Street Art at London Bridge, The Shard & Blackfriars
While you’ll find much more street art in Brick Lane and Shoreditch, there are quite a few artworks to be found around London Bridge Station, The Shard and Blackfriars.
The main entrance of The Shard can be accessed by St Thomas Street, but you can see the other side of the beautiful building from London Bridge St, which also hosts London Bridge Bus station.
And there, you’ll find pretty murals as well as the ‘WE’ installation unveiled in 2021 at the bottom of The Shard.
Designed by famous Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa, the art piece impacts us in two times with a sitting man (pictured above) and a suspended, mirroring sculpture.
At Blackfriars station, you’ll also find another one of my favorite hidden gems in London Bridge, Jimmy C’s cityscape of London, in front of which many tourists take pi
Best Places to Visit in London Bridge: Fashion and Textile Museum
The Textile and Fashion Museum on Bermondsey Street is one of the most unusual museums in London, and well worth a visit.
Entrance is not free, but you’re here in the only textile and fashion museum in the UK dedicated to showcasing contemporary art design.
In this museum, you’ll find a selection of exciting educational courses, events, workshops and talks.
Of course, still, one of the best things to do is walking around the varied engaging exhibitions the Fashion and Textile Museum hosts, like the Harper’s Bazaar 150th anniversary exhibition!
Alongside an exciting selection of educational courses, talks, workshops and so much more events, you will find this one of the best things to do in London Bridge!
Best Places to Visit in London Bridge: Vinegar Yard
For whoever would like to find vintage clothes, second hand and artisanal items, Vinegar Yard is a perfect place to do so.
It takes about 5 minutes to reach from London Bridge station.
What will probably catch your eye as you get closer is the Stories from the Wasteland installation.
Giant red ants topping an abandoned train carriage are a fine addition to Vinegar Yard, which otherwise offer clothes and accessories, alongside handmade soap stands, jewelry, and unique bits and bobs.
The architecture of the buildings around Vinegar Yard, many of them now in disuse, makes for the perfect backdrop for pictures.
Plus, if you walk behind the market, you will also find a small, hidden Amy Winehouse street art piece.
It’s quirky, because Amy Winehouse art is usually only to be found in Camden Town, where the late singer used to hang out.
Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge: Leake Street Arches
Leake Street tunnel is one of the best places to see street art in London, and located close to both London Bridge and Waterloo.
When I say close, I take into account that I’m used to walking and can walk long distances without feeling a thing.
Obviously, Waterloo and London Bridge are not the same area, but in less than 30 minutes on foot, you can reach Leake Street tunnel.
The not-so-hidden London gem is in fact a 300-metre tunnel with the capital’s largest legal graffiti wall.
It has been part of London’s street art scene since 2008, and if you’re looking for completely free things to do in London Bridge, it’s worth a sight!
Best Things to Do near London Bridge: Chewing Gum Paintings on Millennium Bridge
Ben Wilson (also known as The Chewing-Gum Man) is a great artist who has so far turned over 10,000 of chewing gum blobs on London’s Millennium Bridge into tiny pieces of art.
You also have the Tate Modern really close, so for whoever loves finding free museums, that’s another one of the cool places to visit near London Bridge!
Best Places to Visit in London Bridge: London Bridge Sculpture Trail
Gillie and Marc are two artists who see their environmentally-striking sculptures exhibited in various parts of London pretty often.
The Gillie and Marc sculptures can be found all over London, with the famous Paparazzi Dogs adorning Norfolk Square Gardens in West London, or The Wild Table of Love in Paddington that keeps moving.
All kinds of endangered animals from chimps to rhinos and giraffes are often represented in Gillie and Marc’s works.
Rabbitwoman and Dogman, which you can often find around London (namely in the Spitalfields neighborhood), are also represented in the London Bridge art trail quite often.
Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge: Thames Clipper Boat Tours
Now, one of the best things to do in London Bridge is to take a Thames Clipper.
The Thames has plenty to offer, and for instance, the Thames Clipper runs all the way from Putney in West London to Woolwich (past Greenwich) in the east.
Why not hop in? You just need your Oyster card!
When you take the boat, you can sail from Shakespeare’s Globe to Canary Wharf in a short amount of time, but still substantial enough that you can enjoy the ride!
Best Places to Visit in London Bridge: Stephan Balkenhol ‘Couple’ Statues, More London
While you will be able to spot the female sculpture pretty easily, you have to look a bit more to see the male sculpture, hidden between the trees in front of the Hilton hotel.
The two statues were crafted by German sculptor Stephan Balkenhol, wooden and painted.
They’re perched high up on More London, the street that takes us from London Bridge Station to Tower Bridge, and make for a quirky sight while walking down the street.
Best Things to Do near London Bridge: Science Gallery, King’s College
The Science Gallery is probably one of the most secret art galleries in London, and completely fun if you love learning about health and science.
Part of King’s College, the Science Gallery offers free exhibitions, performances, live experiments, festivals and all things science.
There are actually quite a few good museums and art galleries in London Bridge, and aside from White Cube, the Science Gallery is a must visit.
Best Places to Visit in London Bridge: London Bridge Experience and Tombs
Well, I’m usually more of a person who will look for non touristy things to do in London, but I have to admit that the London Bridge experience can be interesting.
That is, if you’re interested in a good jump scare, as the London Bridge experience is actually one of the first immersive experiences ever created in London.
Take a trip to London Bridge’s history – from the ancient Roman to modern times with Jack the Ripper, before descending into the spooky tunnels of the London tombs.
Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge: The Bridge Theatre
The Bridge Theatre is run by the London Theatre Company, and founded in 2017 to showcase new and classic plays.
You get to seat around the action while the plays take you to the streets of Manhattan and the bars of Havana in the unlikeliest love stories.
Located in Potters Fields Park, this is probably one of the most secret things to do in London Bridge, and a great way to break the ice with a new date!
Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge: White Cube Gallery
Every time I wander around London Bridge, I try to pay a visit to White Cube, founded by Jay Jopling in 1993.
To reach it, you walk past Vinegar Yard as well as some of the cutest cafes in Bermondsey, and the walk is as lovely as it gets.
All the exhibitions at White Cube Bermondsey are free, and while it’s not huge, there are often things to learn there.
Plus, of course, a visit to the museum shop is always a good idea for new art books!
Best Things to Do near London Bridge: The View from The Shard
One of the best places to see the sunset in London is from The Shard, either from one of the restaurants or the viewing platform.
This is one of the most romantic things to do in London, and you can see kilometers ahead from The Shard.
It does cost a little bit of cash, so I’ve always preferred to go to one of the restaurants at The Shard to get food at the same time.
That way, you still have the view but can also enjoy some of the fanciest food in London!
Best Places to Visit in London Bridge: Tower Bridge
When visiting London Bridge for the first time, one of the coolest things to do is to actually go up Tower Bridge.
Head for heights on the glass walkway and study the famous Engine Rooms at Tower Bridge, enjoy the views of London…
You can also try and keep an eye on the times when Tower Bridge lifts, which is a proper magical moment!
Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge: BFI Reuben Library
Founded in 1993, the BFI Reuben Library is one of the best free libraries in London when you want to really get work done.
It’s a film and photography library which supports creativity and promotes the next generation of storytellers.
The BFI National Archive is one of the World’s largest film and television archives and to learn all about this world, you can attend their festivals and various programs online and at the venue.
The perfect quiet study spot, in my book!
Best Things to Do near London Bridge: See the Sunset in South Bank
Seeing the sunset in London is one of the things that make me happiest.
Aside from Canary Wharf, my favorite spot to see the sunset in Southbank, while walking from London Bridge to the London Eye.
The sky becomes this fiery landscape, perfect to take pictures of yourself or the city!
You also have one of the most secret food courts in London closeby – Gabriel’s Wharf, with drinks and restaurants for days.
It’s definitely one of the cutest places to eat in London, especially when the sun is setting.
Best Places to Visit in London Bridge: Maltby Street Market
Maltby Street Market is one of the most secret food markets in London, tucked away next to the railway arches, a short walk from London Bridge.
If you’re looking for things to do in London during the summer, street food markets are always a go-to for me.
I love going walking around pretty streets and neighborhoods, eat beautiful street food and forget about the winter worries.
Plus, it’s a nice change from the bustling Borough Market!
Best Things to Do in London Bridge: Railway Arches on St Thomas Street
About a minute away from The Shard and its gorgeous restaurants, you will find the railway arches on St Thomas Street.
Designed by Charles Henry Driver, a Victorian architect, these arches have been restored in recent years and are now home to various cafes and restaurants.
They make for a perfect photo spot at sunset when walking from Bermondsey Street to London Bridge station, as you will have The Shard in the background.
Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge: Underbridge Second Hand Book Market in South Bank
I love shopping for second hand books, thrifted clothes and jewelry – there’s something about the history of an object I am attracted to.
Well, the Southbank book market might not be one of the most beautiful bookshops in London, but the selection of books is still pretty darn interesting.
From literature to art prints and kids books, you have everything you might wish for here, at a fraction of the regular price.
Best Things to Do near London Bridge: Camarthen Place
Camarthen Place is one of London’s most secret alleys, and one you wouldn’t think of finding when walking around Bermondsey.
Located just a couple of minutes after the start of Bermondsey Street when coming from London Bridge Station, Camarthen Place, like the Bermondsey neighborhood, was first developed a couple of centuries ago.
Keep an eye out, as you might miss it, and with it, the Shared sculpture crafted by Austin Emery.
There are a couple of stone sculptures in the Tyers Estate, which is the name of the estate nestled in Camarthen Place – one of them is the one picture above.
In itself, the entrance of Camarthen Place makes for one of the most secret places in London, a hidden gem you really wouldn’t suspect when you first think of London Bridge.
Best Things to Do near London Bridge: Spend Time at a Vintage Cafe
If you make your way to South Bank and closer to Waterloo, find the Scooter Cafe – it’s one of London’s most secret vintage cafes, mixed with a greasy spoon and an Italian vibe.
An old repair shop turned into a themed cafe, Scooter Cafe is great to stop for some breakfast or just a cuppa when you’re getting really tired!
Best Places to Visit in London Bridge: Bermondsey Square Antique Market
Closer to London Bridge, the Bermondsey Square Antique Market is open every Friday from 4 am to 1 pm, come rain or shine.
Many traders gather every week to display lovely Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian goods, including silver, homeware and much more.
Around 5 am is the best time to visit this antiques market if you want to snatch the best bargains!
And if you ever want to discover other antiques markets, do pop by Camden Passage in Islington for even more gorgeous views and finds.
Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge: Roupell Street
Some of the best hidden gems in London Bridge are all the very historic streets which can be found from Borough High Street to Bermondsey and Waterloo.
Roupell Street is one of them, a well-preserved street with beautiful Victorian-era houses and Georgian architecture.
Roupell Street is one of London’s most famous filming locations, and you’ll find there really low buildings with striking architecture, as well as cobblestone pavement in areas nearby.
You’ll also find one of the cutest bakeries of London nearby, Konditor, with excellent cakes and pastries of all kinds.
Best Things to Do near London Bridge: Cross Bones Graveyard
A historic burial ground located in Redcross Way in Southwark, Cross Bones graveyard is a historic place which used to be associated with the burial of paupers and marginals during medieval times.
Today, Cross Bones Graveyard has been turned into a memorial garden and can be visited.
You cannot miss it as the Memorial Gates are decorated with flowers and ribbons you can spot from meters away.
The graveyard close in 1853, but a plaque still commemorates the outcasts buried at Cross Bones, making it a beautiful yet creepy place to visit in London for all kinds of history lovers.
Best Places to Visit in London Bridge: The George Inn
Located in Borough High Street, you’ll find another one of the best hidden gems in London Bridge: the George Inn, a Grade I-listed building.
This one is particularly interesting in that it has medieval origins.
The galleried structure of the George Inn makes it an architectural gem in itself, and when you know that it has even been mention in Charles Dickens’ Little Dorrit novel, it becomes even more urgent to pay it a visit.
Not too far, you will find another one of the prettiest pubs in London, which sadly, has shut down but whose exterior can still be enjoyed, the Blue Eyed Maid, on Borough High St as well.
Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge: Little Dorritt’s Church (St George the Martyr)
St George the Martyr Church is probably one of the most secret churches in London, and with its association with Charles Dickens’ Little Dorrit novel, it makes for a literary and architectural wonder.
Also known at Little Dorrit’s Church, the church is located in Southwark, and dates back to the Victorian era.
Its stained glass windows are especially beautiful, and an interesting highlight of the church is actually its churchyard, which has a handful of very old tombstones in a corner.
Visit the church, take in the soothing atmosphere and don’t forget to pay a visit to the Charles Dickens memorial.
Best Things to Do near London Bridge: Old Operating Theatre Museum
The Old Operating Theatre Museum is one of the oldest surviving operating theatres in Europe, and is located on St Thomas Street.
The operating theatre and its museum are housed in the attic of the St Thomas’ Church, which used to be part of the old St Thomas’ Hospital.
What’s interesting to see there is the collection of historic surgical instruments, and you can witness conditions in which surgical procedures were performed in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Really, simply, one of the most unusual museums in London, which echoes the Hunterian Museum, one of Covent Garden’s best hidden gems.
A visit to both of these museums seems perfect for anyone passionate about medicine and surgery, if you’d like to see London off the beaten path.
Best Places to Visit in London Bridge: Bookshop Cafe and Street Art in Bermondsey Street
If you keep walking away from London Bridge and towards Waterloo Station, you’ll find a few interesting street art pieces on Bermondsey Street and around.
Shoreditch might be better known for street art, and the whole of East London in general, but I’ve been able to find a few murals and graffiti pieces here and there.
You also have some other secret spots that include the bookshop cafe Morocco Bound, super close to The Shard and amazing to grab a coffee and a book.
A Little Further From London Bridge: What To Visit After
When you’re done visiting London Bridge and would like to discover other hidden gems, I’ve got a few recommendations that will enrich any itinerary.
Best Places to Visit in London Bridge: Reflection Garden, facing St Paul’s Cathedral
One of my favorite places to write in London, the Reflection Garden offers a relaxing oasis with a straight view of St Paul’s.
There are some cool things to do near St Paul’s Cathedral, but that quaint garden and its clear water point provides me with soothing thoughts every time I visit.
You’re really close to the Millennium Bridge here, which also means you’re close to One New Change.
One New Change is one of the best shopping centers in London, and at the top, you have a completely free rooftop with a beautiful view of St Paul’s and the city.
Best Hidden Gems near London Bridge: Host Cafe, St Mary Aldermary
A beautiful coffee shop hidden in a church, Host Cafe doubles as a coworking space which you can book by the day or the half day.
There are some really cute church cafes in London, but I have to admit that when they’re established inside such grand buildings, they become even more attractive.
Best Things to Do near London Bridge: Visit Temple Church & Inner Temple Gardens
To reach Temple Church, you do have to walk quite a bit from Southbank and the Millennium Bridge.
Yes, I have to admit this is a long shot if you’re exclusively looking for the best, free things to do in London Bridge.
You have to walk past St Paul’s and down Fleet Street, almost reaching The Strand to get to Temple Church.
It’s medieval, well-preserved, and located close to some of London’s most historical sites, like Lincoln’s Inn Chapel, Fountain Court and the Inner Temple Gardens.
Read here my guide to the historic Temple area and its hidden gems, from Fountain Court to the secret poetic sundial in Elm Court, photogenic columns facing Temple Church and more.
Best Things to Do near London Bridge: St Dunstan in the East
One of the most famous church ruins in London, St Dunstan in the East is now more frequented than it used to be.
Especially during spring and autumn, as St Dunstan in the East provides one of the most scenic views if you want to find beautiful places in the fall in London.
The St Dunstan in the East church was destroyed twice, including once in the Great Fire of London in 1666, and the Blitz in WWII.
At that point, the City of London chose not to rebuilt the church and instead decided to create an astonishing little secret garden close to London Bridge.
Best Things to Do Near London Bridge: Rotherhithe Village
Rotherhithe Village is a crucial part of the Rotherhithe district I’ve told you about in the past, and it boasts architecture dating back to London’s shipping and trade days.
You’ll find some of the prettiest cobblestone streets of London in Rotherhithe Village, as well as a few significant landmarks.
For instance, St Mary’s Church and its maritime memorials is something you need to see if you’re looking for things to do in Rotherhithe.
The Mayflower Pub, a historic pub associated with the Mayflower which may have been the exact departure point of the ship, is also a beautiful pub to see if you’re interested in village-like architecture.
Visiting London Bridge: 40+ Hidden Gems and Things to Do
Hopefully, you’ll have found here all you need, and more, to visit London Bridge and its surroundings properly.
There are many more gorgeous neighborhoods in London that are worth a visit, too, if you’re interested in history and hidden gems.
For instance, the nearby City of London is filled with secret alleyways, tiny churches and Roman ruins.
Or, if you’d like to make your way closer to East or Central London, do visit the Liverpool Street area for hidden gardens, more ruins and traces of the old industrial London!