Southwark History and Culture Walking Tour

The Southwark of today is a sophisticated area of London which hides a fascinating history of sleaze and glamour sat side by side in centuries gone by. Southwark became the entertainment centre for the City of London where the strict rules meant drinking, gambling dens, brothels, theatres and bear baiting were simply not allowed. Southwark had no such restrictions and so the young men from the City came tripping across London Bridge to sample its delights. But Southwark was not just about supplying its wealthy neighbour: living side by side with Southwark's poor were the Bishops of Winchester in their grand palace next to the magnificent Southwark Cathedral which they supported. Nowadays, there is still so much to see of a bygone era: the magnificent cathedral; the ruins of the once lavish Winchester Palace, the glorious Globe theatre and the life sized replica of the Golden Hinde.

Meeting Point

London Bridge

Station Approach Rd, London SE1 9SP, UK

Go to the lower concourse of London Bridge station and I will be beside the finger post between Pret a Manger and the Body Shop

What's included:

• A fun, experienced professional, local guide, accredited by the Institute of Tourist Guiding

Not included:

• Food and drink - we can enjoy a break together but your food and drink purchases are at your expense
• Gratuities - optional
• Transportation to/from the start and end points of the walk

What to expect:

Duration: 3 hours

Hay's Galleria

Tooley St, 1 Battle Bridge Lane, London, SE1 2DA

A beautifully renovated space, this converted warehouse is now home to shops, restaurants, offices and apartments. Emerging onto Queens Walk at the back of the Galleria, there are fantastic views of the River Thames and the City of London on the north bank.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

The Queen's Walk

South Bank of the River Thames, London

Following the part of this path between Tower and London bridges gives us a chance to enjoy views of London's iconic skyline with buildings spanning a timeline of more than 900 years! On the one hand, the White Tower of the Tower of London is a reminder of Norman power from the 12th century whilst the City of London next door is filled with buildings yet to celebrate their 12th birthdays! A wonderful contrast between old and new, something to look at as we consider the history of this area back to a time when this was one of the busiest dockyards in the world.

15 minutes

Borough Market

8 Southwark Street, , London, SE1 1TL

This centuries old market used to be a raucous market place for the wholesale trading of cattle, fish and grain. As we wander through the vibrant market of today, we can enjoy its hustle and bustle and imagine how things used to be.

10 minutes

Southwark Cathedral

1 London Bridge, Montague Close, London, SE1 9DA

This is one of the oldest churches in London which somehow survived the purge by that most notorious of kings, Henry VIII. Designated a cathedral since 1905, nothing prepares you for the sheer beauty of the interior: soaring arches and a dramatic ceiling give the feeling of space and wonder. There is much to experience here: a stained glass window dedicated to the playwright Shakespeare who lived and worked in the Borough; a Diamond Jubilee window to celebrate the late Elizabeth II's 60 years on the throne and Harvard Chapel commissioned by alumni of Harvard University to honour its founder John Harvard who was baptized in St Saviour's church as it was then. We will go inside the Cathedral for about 20 minutes and although entry is free, there is a small charge for photography which is payable on entry.

20 minutes

Golden Hinde

Cathedral Street, St Mary Overie Dock, London, SE1 9DE

A replica of the ship which circumnavigated the globe in the 1570s stands majestically beside the River Thames. Once you have come to terms with the fact that a ship this size could possibly complete such a tough and challenging journey, it is interesting to catch up with a few fun facts about the voyage: what was the famous ship called originally, who was on board and how many of the original fleet made it back to England? We will stop for about 5 minutes so that I can answer these questions plus pass on a few other interesting facts!!

10 minutes

Winchester Palace

Clink Street, London, SE1 9DG

You will gaze on the ruins of what used to be the large and luxurious home of the Bishops of Winchester. In an area full of sleaze and narrow, run down alleys and yards, once stood this beautiful palace proof that the privileged lived right next door to the poor. You will learn about the power of the Bishops and the meaning of the term Winchester geese - you might be a little surprised by what went on inside the boundaries of the Bishop's lands!

10 minutes

The Clink Prison Museum

1 Clink Street, London, SE1 9DG

The Museum stands on the site of the original Clink prison which was inside the lands of the Bishops of Winchester and next door to their luxurious palace. There could not be a greater contrast between the two. The Clink went from being a prison housing wrongdoers to one housing heretics for daring to espouse views contrary to the Bishops' own. I'll tell you about the prison's conditions, how you could buy your way to a more comfortable stay inside and how this most gruesome of places was finally put to rest.

5 minutes

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

21 New Globe Walk, , London, SE1 9DT

You get two Globe theatres for the price of one on this tour! We pass by the location of the original Globe built towards the end of the 1500s and within half a mile, get to admire the magnificent modern Globe which exists because of the perseverance of an American actor called Sam Wanamaker. Having seen the outside, you will want to book to see a performance on the inside too!

15 minutes

Tate Modern

Bankside, London, SE1 9TG

As this old power station towers above, it is possible to imagine that it houses London's biggest museum of art. It is one of four Tate museums in England concentrating on the display of the work of international artists since the 1900s.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Menier Chocolate Factory

4 O'Meara Street, London, SE1 1TE

A much loved theatre today, this historic building used to be home to a chocolate factory run by Meniers who, in the latter half of the 1800s, was the largest chocolate manufacturer in the France. Sadly, as the two World Wars raged in Europe, neutral countries like Switzerland gained the advantage formulating new recipes for chocolate with delicious fillings, an advance which Meniers could not complete with. The building became derelict but was designated a grade II listed building in the 1990s meaning that it could not be demolished. It then began its new life as a successful, off-West End theatre and I'll explain Menier's interesting history.

5 minutes

Crossbones Graveyard & Garden of Remembrance

Junction of Redcross Way and Union Street, Entrance by the Golden Gates on Union Street, London, SE1 1TA

This graveyard was only discovered when Transport for London was working on the Jubilee line extension. Archaeologists from the Museum of London who joined the excavations estimated there were 15,000 bodies buried on the site. This is where you'll hear more about those Winchester Geese!

10 minutes