6 Must-Visit Locations and Restaurants in London Bridge

A treasured British establishment is the classic pub, and London Bridge is home to one of  Charles Dickens’ favourite watering holes, The George Inn. For those looking to walk in the writer’s footsteps and also have a truly British experience, they can grab a pint at the historic 17th century coaching inn and pub. With its oak beams and a cosy interior, as well as a large outdoor courtyard seating area, The George Inn is the perfect pit stop for any summer or winter day.

As recommended by Nicky of The Anxious Traveller, see Nicky’s full recommendations on her blog here.

You can’t go to London Bridge and not notice one of the tallest buildings in the area, the Shard. Aptly named for its appearance and designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano, the 95-storey skyscraper boasts some of the best views of London, which you can take in at the View from the Shard. 

However, just a few stories down from the top, Vicky Sanghad of Ideal Magazine recommends  catching amazing views at one of the building’s bars, like Aqua Shard or Gong, but with a cocktail in hand and with no entry fee! And of course, if you’re in the mood to indulge in a meal with a spectacular view, the Shard’s myriad of restaurant offerings does not disappoint. 

If you’re a foodie, you know about Borough Market. It’s one of the area’s biggest tourist attractions and also home to one called Bridget Jones. With all types of street food and cuisines from all over the world, the iconic market is truly a food lover’s paradise. But with a plethora of food options to choose from, the task of deciding which food stall to try can be daunting. Rest assured, though, that whatever you end up going for will be delicious! 

However, if you find you need some guidance, we have you covered. A few local favourites in Borough Market include Bread Ahead Bakery, famous for its doughnuts, and Mei Mei, a Singaporean street food stall as recommended by blogger ET Food Voyage.

While making your way through Borough Market, you’ll find it hard not to notice the oldest Gothic church in London, Southwark Cathedral. As recommended by Milly of Mini-Adventures, the magnificent structure dates back to 1106, and would leave any architecture-loving passerby in awe. The beauty continues inside with paintings, mosaics and even more architectural surprises. The cathedral’s website recommends visiting outside of worship hours to get the full experience. All opening times can be found on the cathedral’s website.

Read more about Milly’s recommendations for the London Bridge neighbourhood and Southwark Cathedral here. 

A two minute walk from Borough Market heading west along the River Thames, you’ll stumble upon one of the few ruins that remain in the heart of London, Winchester Palace. What was once one of the largest and most important buildings in all of medieval London, is now left in ruins due to a fire in 1814. However, visitors can still take in the impressive architecture of the remaining walls of the Great Hall and learn about the structure’s history at the site. With no entry fee, Winchester Palace is a history buff’s goldmine.

Situated between London Bridge and Tower Bridge lies Hay’s Galleria, a favourite spot of Marie Ellis, writer of Broke Girl in the City. Originally a warehouse and an associated wharf for the port of London, it was redeveloped in the 1980s to its modern day structure. Today, Hay’s Galleria and its vaulted roof is home to shops, restaurants, offices and flats. The Grade II listed structure also has regular market stalls for arts and crafts and trinkets, a perfect stop for those looking for a unique souvenir. Another can’t miss spot within Hay’s Galleria is David Kemp's kinetic sculpture, The Navigators. 

Read Marie’s full list of recommendations here.