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Southwark - an exclusive private walking tour full of surprises!

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Overview

The Southwark of today is a sophisticated area of London which hides a fascinating history of sleaze and glamour in equal measure. 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 and Pickup

Meeting point

Station Approach Road, England, SE1 9SP, United Kingdom

Open in Google Maps ›

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

End Point

End point

The tour ends close to the only remaining Southwark inn, the original of which dates back to the 1600s. An ideal place to toast the tour with a well earned drink!

Language Offered

English-GUIDE

Itinerary

1. Hay's Galleria

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.

Duration: 10 mins

2. The Queen's Walk

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.

Duration: 15 mins

3. Borough Market

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.

Duration: 10 mins

4. Southwark Anglican Cathedral

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.

Duration: 20 mins

5. Golden Hinde

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!!

Duration: 10 mins

6. Winchester Palace

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!

Duration: 10 mins

7. The Clink Prison Museum

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.

Duration: 5 mins

8. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

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!

Duration: 15 mins

9. Tate Modern

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.

Duration: 5 mins

10. Menier Chocolate Factory

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.

Duration: 5 mins

11. Crossbones Graveyard & Garden of Remembrance

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!

Duration: 10 mins

Inclusion

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

Exclusion

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

Cancellation Policy

Refundable tickets

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

When your booking is confirmed, you will receive contact details for me (Sandy) your guide on this tour. My aim is to give you, the client, the best experience you could possibly have so if you have any special requests, be sure to let me know what they are!

Your comfort is my priority - if you need to stop for a coffee or a comfort break, just let me know.

The tour will last up to 3.5 hours.

The tour will cover a distance of about 2 - 3 miles in total.

The tour will go ahead come rain or shine so please don't be put off by the weather. Do wear comfortable shoes and clothing. If needs be, bring waterproofs and an umbrella!

The tour is an outside walking tour but does include one internal stop to see the inside of Southwark Cathedral.

Unlike some other guides, I specialise in just five areas of London, Southwark being one of them. This means that I have detailed knowledge of the area which I pass on to my clients in a fun and interesting way.

100% of my Trip Advisor/Viator reviews are graded 'excellent' and as I now have over 175+ reviews in total, I must be doing something right!

I prefer to guide small groups of up to five family or friends so everyone can hear what I am saying above the usual street noises of a busy city. Also, everyone can ask as many questions as they like.

I ALWAYS contact my customers before a tour so if you have not heard from me one week before the date of the tour, please contact me instead.

I only accept bookings directly from customers. Any bookings made by a travel agent on behalf of a customer will be cancelled.

Supplied by Hobnob Tours