The Best Things to Do Near London Bridge Station
Discover the best things to do near London Bridge station, from a long-time London local!
Whether you’re taking it all in for the first time or a regular London visitor, chances are that the London Bridge area is somewhere you’ll be checking out. Home to some of the city’s most notable attractions on the south bank of the River Thames, it’s the perfect place to get a feel for the bustle and buzz of London.
It also helps that there’s plenty to do near London Bridge, whatever your budget – from panoramic viewpoints and churches, to surgical history and street food. So if you’re staying in one of the numerous hotels by the Shard or in the surrounding area, check out some of the essential places to see near London Bridge Station.
London Bridge is an ideal jumping off point for some of the city’s most iconic attractions, but you’ll also find some great hidden gems and free things to do here too!
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1. The View From The Shard
Yep. That big, shiny pointy thing that’s now symbolic of the London skyline. If you want to take in some pretty serious London views, here’s your chance. After making your way up 72 floors – in an elevator, thankfully – you’ll be able to enjoy London’s iconic skyline as you take in 360 degrees of the capital.
Tickets on the door are pretty pricey, but if you book in advance or via a third party ticketing site, you can get some sweet deals to lessen the cost.
Opening times: 10am-10pm (closes between 7-9pm during winter months)
Entry fee: From £28.50
Read more: London on High: The View from the Shard
2. The Sky Garden
Another top spot (literally, because it’s at the top of a building…), and a great idea if you’re doing London on a budget, is the Sky Garden viewing platform. On the 43rd floor of the building affectionately known as the ‘walkie-talkie’, London’s highest public garden offers free entry (although you need to book in advance). Arguably, I think the Sky Garden offers a better experience than The Shard – including a great view OF the Shard, and is probably one of my favourite things to do in the London Bridge area.
Opening times: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm; Sat & Sun 11am-9pm (bars and restaurants open later)
Read more: The best FREE views in London
3. Southwark Cathedral
London’s oldest gothic church, Southwark Cathedral dates back to the 1100s. With original features and careful restoration, it remains a historical landmark amongst the ever-growing modern London streets. Entry is free, and drop-in tours are also available if you’re keen to learn more about the cathedral’s history.
Opening times: 8.30am – 6pm
Admission price: Free
4. The Clink Prison Museum
Where better to delve into London’s history of crime and punishment than a former prison? The Clink dates back to 1144, housing inmates up until its closure in 1780. Nowadays, it’s a hands-on experiential museum detailing the grisly history of London’s misdemeanours and felons.
Opening times: 10am-6pm
Entry fee: £8 (£6 concessions)
5. Tower Bridge
Nope. Not London Bridge – although that’s worth checking out too. Tower Bridge and London Bridge are often confused, but it’s the former that’s the iconic landmark that features in basically every Instagram snap of anyone’s first trip to the Big Smoke.
It’s completely free and open to walk across at any time, but if you want to get the full Tower Bridge Experience, you can walk across the covered walkway at the top of the bridge, and even brave the glass floor.
Opening times: 9.30am-6pm
Entry fee: £16 (adult), £8 (child)
6. The Tower of London
Next to Tower Bridge, around 15mins walk from London Bridge station, you’ll find one of the city’s most famous attractions – the Tower of London. This historic castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has been used as a royal palace, a prison and a treasury. From infamous prisoners to the iconic Crown Jewels, a visit to the Tower unearths some of the most fascinating stories in British history.
Opening times: Monday-Friday 9am-4.30pm; Saturday & Sunday 10am-4.30pm
Entry fee: £35.80 (adult), £17.90 (child)
7. The Golden Hinde
In St Mary Overie’s Dock, you’ll find a seaworthy reconstruction of one of Britain’s most famous ships. The Golden Hinde was captained by Sir Francis Drake on his voyage to circumnavigate the world from 1577 to 1580. It was originally moored in Deptford until it rotted away, and the full-size reconstruction you see in London was launched in 1973, as a result of extensive research and construction.
After travelling 140,000 miles, the Golden Hinde has remained moored in London since 1996, educating visitors on the original expeditions of Sir Francis Drake.
Opening times: 10am-5pm (maintenance closure dates may apply)
Entry fee: £6
8. HMS Belfast
Staying on the nautical theme, very close to the Golden Hind, you can also check out the HMS Belfast, a Royal Navy ship from 1938 now permanently moored in the River Thames. Operated by the Imperial War Museum, nine decks offer insight into the ship’s history, interactive displays, and stories from those who lived and served on the ship.
Opening times: 10am-5pm
Entry fee: £26.35 (adult), £13.15 (child)
9. Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
One of the oldest surviving operating theatres, The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret is now a museum of surgical history and medicine.
Opening times: Thursday-Sunday 10.30am-5pm
Entry fee: £10 (adult), £5.50 (children), £7 (concession)
10. St Dunstan in the East
Just ten minutes walk from the station, across the Thames via London Bridge itself, you’ll find this fascinating, free-to-visit spot. This green space amongst church ruins is a public garden, with greenery snaking over the ruined walls.
10. The Fashion and Textile Museum
Founded by iconic designer Zandra Rhodes, the Fashion and Textile Museum is a celebration of contemporary fashion. The changing exhibits showcase
Opening times: Tuesday-Saturday 11am-6pm (Thursdays until 8pm); Sunday 11am-5pm
Entry fee: £12.65 (adult), £11.55 (age 18-25), £10.45 (age 12-17)
11. The London Bridge Experience and Tombs [currently closed]
The building once home to the original London Dungeon is now occupied by an equally scary attraction, the London Bridge Experience and Tombs. The experience focuses on the London Bridge area’s seedy and spooky past, encountering intimidating characters in an immersive theatrical experience.
Opening times: Currently closed for maintenence as of October 2025
12. Hays Galleria
This Grade II listed building has stood beside the Thames since the 1850s, and is now a multi-use building with restaurants, retail and office space. Perhaps the most striking part of Hays Galleria is the curved glass roof, modelled on the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. It’s also a great place to pick up some of the best souvenirs from London to take home!
Eating and Drinking around London Bridge
The London Bridge area is home to some of London’s best known eating and drinking spots, and features some of the city’s best known small chains, including El Pastor and Padella, and independent restaurants like Lupins and Yen Burger. Street food thrives here, and there are also plenty of traditional-style British pubs and a thriving taproom scene in nearby Bermondsey.
Borough Market
Looking for something to eat around London Bridge? Skip out on the fancy restaurants, and grab yourself some street food deliciousness. Borough Market is one of London’s most famous markets, and has a huuuge range of traders, cafes and restaurants. Whether you fancy a street-side sit down or just want to pick up some foodie souvenirs from your trip, it’s a total London experience.
Take a guided Borough Market tour to find the best hidden gems and highlights, with delicious tastings included!
Opening times: Mon-Thu 10am-5pm; Friday 10am-6pm; Saturday 8am-5pm (individual stalls and permanent restaurants may vary)
Maltby Street Market
A stone’s throw from the Bermondsey Beer Mile (more on that in a moment), Maltby Street Market is a small yet expertly curated food market. Less intimidating than the HUGE Borough Market and only open at the weekend (including Friday evenings), it’s perfect for a more relaxed street food experience.
Opening times: Friday 5:30-9pm; Saturday 10am-5pm; 11am-4pm (individual stalls and permanent restaurants may vary)
Bermondsey Beer Mile
Since the first brewery moved in in 2009, this stretch of Bermondsey railway arches has become a hub for all things craft beer. If you want to tackle this one properly, you’ll need a solid afternoon – check out my ultimate guide to the Bermondsey Beer Mile for everything you need to know!
Book a Bermondsey Beer Mile tour to discover the best brews and learn beer tasting with a pro!
Flat Iron Square
Flat Iron Square originally opened in 2016 as a development under the Low Line in Southwark, but moved just down the road to a new site in 2022. The covered open air courtyard an indoor bar area offer multiple seating options, whatever the weather, and there are multiple delicious street food stalls to choose from.
Vinegar Yard
An even newer addition to the London street food market scene, Southwark’s Vinegar Yard opened in 2019, offering delights some of London’s freshest street food traders and breweries. But it’s not just about eating and drinking – Vinegar Yard hosts a weekend flea market, and is home to a gallery of sculptures by artist Joe Rush.
