On a winter weekend in London, the South Bank of the Thames is one of my favourite places for a stroll. There’s something about the open aspect and views of the river that makes it a nice place to be, and there are plenty of places you can shelter if the weather turns against you. There are also many free attractions along the way which make it a great place for the budget traveller to spend half or even a whole day.

The London Eye

Forgive me for starting with something that’s not free, but if I spent my money on anything it would be this. The London Eye started like the Eiffel Tower as a temporary attraction but has now become one of the icons of the London skyline. Take a 30 minute ‘flight’ in one of the cabins of the wheel that moves round slowly and you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic view down the river.

The Houses of Parliament

OK, you’re on the opposite side of the river from the Houses of Parliament, but the stretch of river bank by the London Eye is the best place for that shot of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament that says ‘I was in London’, with you in the picture. You can also admire the statues by Salvadore Dali and the Edwardian decorative lamp posts.

The South Bank Centre

A little further along is the South Bank Arts Centre which was built for the Festival of Britain in 1951. The rather severe looking building is an icon of 50s architecture which even kept the original 50s green carpet design in the recent refurbishment. Inside there are plenty of squashy leather sofas, a cafe and bar and there’s always some live music, free photo exhibition or interactive experience going on here. It has free wireless access too, so take your break here and catch up on the e-mails or use it as a meeting place, like all the locals do.

Gabriel’s Wharf

As you get to Gabriel’s wharf, look out on the sandbank at the river edge – I’ve seen a man making giant sand sculptures there before. There are some small artizan shops and cafes in the Coin St project- you can hire bikes there too. On the other side you can admire the painted banners along Upper Ground St and rest a while in the Bernie Spain Gardens alongside.

The OXO Building

A little further along the river bank, you can’t miss the the OXO building, with the letters spelt out by the windows in the top of the tower. There are two levels of walkways housing young designers and if you want a great view of the river, take to lift to the eighth floor to the free viewing platform, accessed through the OXO Tower restaurant.

Tate Modern

A little further up the river and you’ll find the Tate Modern, housed in an old Power station and free to enter. This is one of my favourite London Art Galleries and not just because it’s free. In the enormous former turbine hall there’s normally some art installation creating a talking point, and I always enjoy the Mondrian and Pop art by Roy Lichtenstein, in the upper galleries. In front of the Tate you’ll find the futuristic Millennium Bridge, which you can use as a viewing platform for the comings and goings on the river.

Shakespeare’s Globe

Next on the riverside walk you’ll find Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, a replica of the original, where Shakespeare’s plays are performed throughout the summer season. Attending a performance here is well worth experiencing, and if you’re tight on funds and your legs will bear it, £5 will buy you a standing ticket in front of the stage. Otherwise you’ll have to pay for the tour or peep through the gates to see what a theatre looked like in Shakespeare’s day.

The Golden Hinde

As you continue on the river bank the path moves behind the waterfront warehouses into narrow cobbled streets, past the replica of the Elizabethan galleon, the Golden Hinde, which in the 1580s took explorer, Sir Frances Drake around the world. You can get a fantastic view of it close up without paying a penny, but you can also pay to go on board and look around.

Southwark Cathedral

Next you’ll come to Southwark Cathedral, where you might like to take a moment of quiet reflection, before having a delicious and reasonably priced lunch or tea and cake in their refectory, which has a courtyard with views of the river. There’s no charge to enter and it is beautiful, but they do encourage a donation towards the upkeep.

Borough Market

Just down the road towards the railway arch is Borough Market, a foodie paradise beside London Bridge. Here you’ll find a feast for the senses with fruit and veg stalls and other specialist food shops, delicatessens and cafes. It’s mainly open around the weekend, so check the opening times, but many of the shops in the surrounding lanes are open all the time.

Resources

You can download some excellent guides from the South Bank Walk this Way website, giving maps of the routes and details of the things you’ll see along the way.

Photos by Heatheronhertravels