
Southbank Centre, London
If London’s South Bank is a party, then the Southbank Centre is definitely one of the hosts — and it knows how to throw a good one. Sitting proudly alongside heavyweights like the National Theatre and the British Film Institute, the Southbank Centre is a powerhouse of arts, culture, and general creative buzz.
This sprawling concrete wonderland bundles together four big venues: the Royal Festival Hall, the Hayward Gallery, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, and the Purcell Room. And rest assured, it’s never just sitting quietly — the place hums with life, from rooftop bars and riverside cafes to open terraces where the soundtrack is anything from a violin solo to a spontaneous drum circle.
What’s on the menu? Pretty much everything. You can catch classical concerts, opera, folk, world music, avant-garde experiments that will make your head spin — and just when you think you've figured it out, here come comedy shows, thought-provoking talks, dance performances, and a whole parade of festivals. Ever heard of the London Jazz Festival, Women of the World (or WOW) Festival, London Literature Festival, or Meltdown? Yep, all that and more happen right here.
And in case you wonder, why should you pop in? Because where else can you stroll the river, grab a drink, see an art exhibition, listen to a world-class concert, and maybe accidentally join a flash mob — all before dinner? With a top-tier gallery and three world-class auditoriums stitched into the riverside fabric, the Southbank Centre isn’t just a cultural landmark — it’s a full-blown experience.
This sprawling concrete wonderland bundles together four big venues: the Royal Festival Hall, the Hayward Gallery, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, and the Purcell Room. And rest assured, it’s never just sitting quietly — the place hums with life, from rooftop bars and riverside cafes to open terraces where the soundtrack is anything from a violin solo to a spontaneous drum circle.
What’s on the menu? Pretty much everything. You can catch classical concerts, opera, folk, world music, avant-garde experiments that will make your head spin — and just when you think you've figured it out, here come comedy shows, thought-provoking talks, dance performances, and a whole parade of festivals. Ever heard of the London Jazz Festival, Women of the World (or WOW) Festival, London Literature Festival, or Meltdown? Yep, all that and more happen right here.
And in case you wonder, why should you pop in? Because where else can you stroll the river, grab a drink, see an art exhibition, listen to a world-class concert, and maybe accidentally join a flash mob — all before dinner? With a top-tier gallery and three world-class auditoriums stitched into the riverside fabric, the Southbank Centre isn’t just a cultural landmark — it’s a full-blown experience.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in London. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "ϳԹ: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Southbank Centre on Map
Sight Name: Southbank Centre
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: London, England (See walking tours in London)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in London, England
Create Your Own Walk in London
Creating your own self-guided walk in London is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Shakespeare's London Walking Tour
You might know him as “the Bard,” but to England, William Shakespeare is practically the patron saint of poetic plot twists. Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon to John Shakespeare, a glove maker and town official, and Mary Arden from a prosperous farming family, young William started life with ink in his veins and Latin on his mind. Grammar school likely gave him his first taste of rhetoric.... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Jane Austen’s London
The celebrated English novelist Jane Austen primarily lived between Bath and Hampshire. However, London also held a special significance in Austen's life. Many of her novels drew inspiration from the capital, like Lydia Bennet and Mr Wickham’s elopement in “Pride & Prejudice.”
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
One of Austen's cherished spots in London was Twinings, a renowned tea shop. Jane Austen was known... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
City of London Walking Tour
The City of London, often referred to simply as the City (with the capital C), is the historic and financial core of the British capital. Despite being just over one square mile in area (for which reason it is also lovingly dubbed the Square Mile), it holds immense importance as the original site of Londinium, the Roman settlement founded circa 43 AD. Over the centuries, this small patch of land... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Harry Potter Walking Tour II
The Harry Potter movies and London go together like Butterbeer and a cold winter night at Hogsmeade. While much of the magical world was brought to life with computer-generated images and studio sets, quite a few iconic scenes were filmed right in the heart of the British capital, transforming ordinary city spots into wizarding landmarks. Here's a look at six more London locations where the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Bridges of London
Around thirty bridges span the Thames river in London, each with its own story. Our self-guided walk takes you to see nine such historical structures located in the heart of the city, starting from the storied Westminster Bridge and ending at the iconic Tower Bridge.
The latter has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
The latter has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the finest, most recognizable bridges in the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles
Beatles London Walking Tour
The Beatles, often hailed as one of the most influential bands in music history, began their journey in Liverpool in 1960, but it was in London that they truly became global icons. While Liverpool gave them their start, the British capital became their professional playground during the peak of Beatlemania. From recording sessions and business deals to public performances and personal milestones,... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
London Souvenirs: 18 Distinctively British Products for Travelers
Most visitors to London consider shopping as part of their must-do London experience. From street markets to Victorian arcades to snobbish Sloane Square to busy Oxford Street, there are a host of shops selling items which typically represent this vibrant city. Whether you are shopping for souvenirs...