See the best of the Thames with my favorite London South Bank walk. Follow my self-guided map past Tower Bridge, Borough Market, and the Tate Modern, ending at the majestic St. Paul’s Cathedral. No Tube required!
Having lived in England for a year and visited London many times, I’ve refined this London South Bank walk to be the most efficient way to see the city’s historic icons. While finding a self-guided London walking tour can be a difficult task for first-timers, this specific route focuses on logistical utility. It takes you from Tower Bridge to St. Paul’s Cathedral using a clear map, allowing you to avoid the hassle of the Tube and enjoy the riverside like a local.
London South Bank Walk: Route Overview
When in London, I try avoiding taking the Tube as much as I can. The hassle of going down into a Tube station and coming back out takes a long time. I reserve Tube trips for longer distances. This self-guided London South Bank walk takes you from the Tower of London to St. Paul’s Cathedral along the banks of the Thames River. It is a beautiful way to experience this historical part of London.
Route at A Glance
Starting Tube Station: Tower Hill (Circle and District lines). It’s a 5-minute walk to the Tower of London.
Ending Tube Station: St. Paul’s (Central line). Station is located directly behind the cathedral
- Tower of London. This is the impressive medieval castle inside London which is a must for any visit here.
- Tower Bridge is the iconic symbol of London that appears on any postcard.
- London City Hall modern building and walking area.
- HMS Belfast is a beautiful reminder of World War 2 which was not too long ago.
- Borough Market is a busy and colorful market that will give you a great feel about London
- Golden Hinde is an old pirate ship.
- Shakespeare Globe takes you back in time especially if you take time to see a show.
- Tate Museum is London’s Museum of Modern Art. If you like this kind of art you will love this museum.
- Millennium Bridge is a newer symbol of London and worth your time
- St Paul Cathedral is another iconic symbol of London.
This London South Bank walk map outlines a logical 10-stop route past the city’s most historic riverside landmarks.
Red: See; Green: Walk
1. Tower of London
London, England – White Tower within the Tower of London fortress.
We start our self-guided London South Bank walk on the bank of River Thames at the oldest place in London. Also known as London’s Castle, the Tower of London is a medieval fortress, royal palace and infamous prison. This is a large museum with long lines especially in the summer. However, it is well worth your time to Walk outside the Tower of London, on the banks of River Thames for beautiful views of Tower Bridge.
Visit the official Tower of London website.
2. Tower Bridge
London, England – London Tower Bridge seen from the Tower of London walls.
See my photos from London
From the Tower of London, we continue our self-guided London walking tour itinerary, and we easily come to the most iconic bridge in London. Tower Bridge is the most iconic image of London. If you have about 2 extra hours available in your schedule, you can plan to visit the Experience exhibit for beautiful views. If you are patient, you get to see this beautiful bridge being opened when taller ships need to pass through. It is a beautiful site.
Visit the official Tower Bridge website.
3. London City Hall Area
London’s modern City Hall and the famous Gerkin building.
See my photos from London
Let’s continue walking across Tower Bridge. Our London South Bank walk brings up to a very modern building. Located across River Thames from the Tower of London, London’s futuristic Old City Hall has become part of the city’s skyline. When standing right in front of London City Hall building, overlooking the Thames River, you get to enjoy iconic views of the Tower Bridge as well as other London landmarks.
Let’s continue now on the famous Queen’s Walk which takes us along River Thames to our next destination.
4. HMS Belfast
London, England – HMS Belfast docked on River Thames in London.
Just a short walk further up the Thames, our self-guided London walking tour brings us to an awesome sight. An imposing World War 2 destroyer complete with deck canons and control tower. Nicely renovated and decorated with genuine furniture HMS Belfast takes you back to the tumultuous WW2 times when England was on the brink of destruction.
Walking on the deck of HMS Belfast will give you beautiful views of the Tower Bridge and surrounding area. Simply beautiful! The HMS Belfast is one of my favorite WW2 Museums in London.
5. Borough Market
Fresh pastries for sale at the busy Borough Market on a Saturday afternoon in London UK
(Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC BY-SA 3.0)
Continuing our self-guided London walking tour itinerary, we come to one of my favorite spots in London. It is definitely my favorite market in London. Borough Market has awesome food choices and it provides great places to simply hang out and watch all the people and sights.
6. Golden Hind
Replica of the Elizabethan galleon, The Golden Hind, captained by Francis Drake in 16th Century, Southwark, London, UK
(photo by Jose Marin CC 3.0)
As we leave this busy market, we continue our London South Bank walk to another historical site. Step back in time and get ready to set sail, as you and your group become the crew of The Golden Hinde and experience life as a 16th Century Sailor through fully immersive role-play.
Dressed in Elizabethan costumes, three colorful characters from the ship’s history will guide you about the ship and teach you the skills required to sail on a galleon. With lurid tales of leeches and limb removal from the grisly Barber Surgeon, lightning-quick gun drills with the excitable Gunner and mastery of the navigational arts with the ship’s Master, Day Living Histories are full of excitement and rich with learning opportunities.
7. Shakespeare Globe
London, England – Shakespeare’s Globe.
(photo by Steve Collis. License: CC BY-SA 2.0)
We continue our London South Bank walk on the riverbank as we come to the iconic Shakespeare Globe. This old site is known for bringing entertainment to Londoners from many times past. If you have time, buy a ticket and watch a play.
8. Tate Museum
London, England – The Tate Museum building is a former power plant.
See more photos from old and modern London
Continuing our self-guided London walking tour itinerary, we come to the Tate Museum of modern art. Being housed in a converted power plant, the Tate Museum is a large and impressive boasting many works of art by famous modern painters like Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso. Visiting the Tate can take an entire day depending how interested you are in modern art.
London, England – Beautiful view of Millennium Bridge and St Paul Cathedral from the balcony of the Tate Museum.
See my photos from old and modern London
If you decide to visit the Tate, make sure you walk upstairs and come out at the balcony facing the Millennium Bridge and St Paul Cathedral. This is a beautiful view!
9. Millennium Bridge
Beautiful view of Millennium Bridge and St Paul Cathedral dome seen from across the Thames River.
See my photos from London
The Tate is connected with the other side of the Thames River by the modern Millennium Bridge. An impressive structure, the Millennium Bridge provides great views of London skyline and represents an awesome place for taking pictures.
10. St. Paul Cathedral
London, England – Saint Paul cathedral in London.
Across the Millennium Bridge you can see the large dome of St Paul Cathedral coming closer as you walk towards it. Recently renovated, the area across the Thames provides beautiful access to St Paul Cathedral as well as many shops and restaurants.
As you come face to face with the impressive St Paul Cathedral make sure you allocate some time to walk inside and visit the interior of this famous London landmark. If you have more time allocated to visiting London, you can also attend one of the many beautiful musical events scheduled at St Paul Cathedral.
London South Bank Walk: Logistics
Find a budget hotel in the London area. Looking for a budget hotel in the Tower Bridge area of London gives you a central location and a great spot for exploring all of London’s tourist attractions.
Read my Westminster London walk from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham and Trafalgar. This is another beautiful area of London, full of amazing London tourist attractions.
Is London South Bank Worth Visiting?
Yes, especially if you want to see London’s most historic landmarks without dealing with the crowded Tube. This stretch of the Thames is where you truly feel the city’s heritage. This self-guided London walking tour is the most efficient way to connect the medieval grit of the Tower of London to the grandeur of St. Paul’s Cathedral. If you want a logistical itinerary that prioritizes iconic landmarks over the crowded Tube, this is the definitive route for your visit.
