There are plenty of fascinating, less well known places to explore and things to do around London Bridge. From old ruins and historic pubs to small and unusual museums – here’s our guide to exploring the hidden side of London Bridge.
London Bridge is famous for being the home of the bustling Borough Market. And with an underground and large mainline railway station, it’s also one of the busiest stations not just in London, but in the UK.
Getting to London Bridge
London Bridge is extremely well connected and easy to get to, it’s in Zone 1, central London and you can get there on the Underground on either the Northern Line or the Jubilee Line.
The station is huge, and the railway station connects to suburban and national railway trains via Thameslink, Southern Trains and South East Trains, going to places like Greenwich, Gatwick Airport and Brighton.
Once there, you’ll find the London Bridge itself right outside, and you’ll also find yourself right by Borough Market.
Discover medical history at The Old Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret
Few museums let you step back in time quite as authentically as The Old Operating Theatre & Herb Garret. It’s located in the attic space of a 320 year old church, and a fascinating place to learn about surgical history.
Given that many operations were performed without anaesthetic, it’s probably best to skip this if you’re feeling squeamish.
Due to the museum’s age and size, it’s not the most accessible venue, unfortunately. Access is via a narrow, 52-step spiral staircase and there’s no toilet on site (they recommend using the nearby public toilets at London Bridge mainline ration or Borough Market).
But, there is an accessibility guide for visitors, and a small lift which can be used when necessary.
If you’re feeling a bit faint after all that historic surgical detail, revive your senses with a wander around the Herb Garrett to learn about the herbs that were used for medications.
Visit Historic pubs like The George or The Anchor Inn
There are several, old pubs in the London Area, perfect for an atmospheric drink and some quintessential, British pub grub. It’s a great place to explore historic ale houses and wood panelled public houses.
On Bankside, you’ll find the large and sprawling Anchor Inn, which is busy all year round but has a riverside terrace and a rooftop if you’re visiting in summer. It was rebuilt in 1676, ten years after it was damaged by The Great Fire of London. These days it’s a Greene King put with a decent pub food menu, including Fish & Chips.
Head down Borough High Street, away from the crowded drinking dens that surround Borough Market, and you’ll find The George Inn: a perfect venue for sheltering from cold winter days inside, or enjoying sunny days in the beer garden.
Dating back to 1676, The George Inn has a rich history: once frequented by William Shakespeare and later by Charles Dickens, it’s thought to have hosted theatrical productions in Elizabethan times, and is next-door to the site of The Tabard, an even older pub (built in 1307) where Chaucer set the opening part of The Canterbury Tales.
Peruse the flea market and try street food at Vinegar Yard
Vinegar Yard is a mix of terraces, street food vendors and bars, and a flea market. You’ll find plenty of street food including Baba G’s, fried chicken sandos from the Japanese Chicken Shop and Bad Boys Pizza Society.
There are also interesting, Mad Max-inspired scrap metal installations by artist Joe Rush. And at weekends you can peruse the flea market for vintage clothes, second hand books, furniture and vinyl.
Grab food and drinks in Bermondsey High Street
If you don’t fancy the crowds and queues of Borough Market, nearby Bermondsey High Street is a great place to go for a more chilled bite to eat.
There’s loads of great places to grab anything from a quick cuppa and a pastry on the go to cosy restaurants and cafés.
Eateries including French Bistro Pique-Nique, Cafe Murano, and for tasty and wallet-friendly Japanese food, try Hakata.
See exhibitions at White Cube and the Fashion and Textile Museum
Bermondsey Street is also home to two interesting contemporary galleries. The bold, bright orange and pink Fashion and Textile Museum showcases temporary exhibitions by international designers and makers from exploring particular eras such as fashion in the 80s to ancient practices, identities and cultures.
It’s a small space, so perfect if you’re short on time but want to check out some interesting art. Just down the street, you’ll find the bright and airy White Cube gallery which is free to visit and features major works by artists including Tracey Emin and Antony Gormley.
Check out Maltby Street Market for street food and gin tastings
There’s no shortage of great street food in London Bridge, it’s one of the best places in central London to try food stalls. As well as Borough Market, there’s also Maltby Street Market.
Nestled in old railway arches which are draped in colourful, international flags, it’s a haven for curious foodies and hungry visitors alike.
The food is varied as the flags, with options including Amen Ethiopian, The Latin Bros, The Greek Pot, burgers from That’s Banging, and Vietnamese street food from Banh Mi Nen.
There’s plenty of places for more of a sit down meal and drink under the arches too, including craft beer and cider and Malt Craft Beer, Spanish Bodega Bar Tozino, and Neopolita Pizza at Bonvion Enoteca.
