London Bridge - Things to do in London

Famous for it’s ever-collapsing bridges, the recent one dating from 1972 thanks to it predecessors sale to an American tycoon, London Bridge has long been a rather overlooked area between Tower Bridge and the Southbank, famous for having a rather big train station, a Saturday food-market and not a lot else.

However, recent years has seen a spate of development take hold on the once forlorn south bank of the thames. Borough Market has developed into a mecca for foodies, several high-class bars have cropped up to take advantage of the passing tourists and city worker foot-fall, and in 2012 the 95-story Shard took shape over the train station to dominate the river’s skyline and divide opinion like a great, big 1000ft dagger.

Architectural criticisms nonwithstanding, it does seem that London Bridge has finally started to shed its image as a place for cheap thrills and commuter trains. What the future hold, though, is anyone’s guess.

Places to go in London Bridge

Borough Market
Nestled under the railway arches is Borough Market, a foodie paradise packed with stalls selling top quality produce and ready-to-eat street food. Whether it's ostrich sausages from Gamswood Farm in Nottinghamshire, oysters from the Essex coast or cured Iberican meats, Borough Market has it all. Also worth visiting are the surrounding pubs and restaurants, which usually serve up food bought straight from the sellers at Borough.

Cable
Those looking to sample London's brilliant and varied nightlife take note, Cable is one of London's best clubs, with nights ranging from drum 'n' bass, to garage, to house. It's weekly party Jaded, which starts at 5am Sunday morning and continues until the afternoon, is a must for the 'not going home' brigade. The area played a huge part in London's clubbing history, with the famous Shoom and Clink St parties both taking place around the corner.

London Dungeon
Tacky as it is, The London Dungeon is one of the most well-loved tourist attractions in London, offering a thrill-ride through the capital’s violent and often pretty gory history and folklore.

The George
With exposed beams and low ceilings, The George is probably the finest pub in an area renowned for its watering holes. It is in fact London's only surviving galleried coaching inn, and exists on records dating as far back as Medieval times.

Clink Prison Museum
Housed on the spot where one of the capital's most infamous prisons once stood, The Clink is now one of London's great small museums. Delve deep into the cavernous space where so many undesirables spent time doing bird, listen to the echoes of the shackles and the ghostly screams of the prisoners.

London Bridge Facts

Borough: Southwark
Tubes: London Bridge, Monument