Whether you’re catching a train into London or just looking for new things to do, London Bridge is one of the best areas to explore. There are quirky museums, trendy pubs, iconic Borough Market, plus some truly unique finds if you know where to look.
These are the best things to do near London Bridge, all easily walkable from the station, and many with discounted entry when you travel by train.
The View from The Shard
Distance from London Bridge station: 1-minute walk
No list of things to do near London Bridge would be complete without a visit to The Shard. The now-iconic skyscraper is home to restaurants and a hotel, as well as breathtaking views across the city. The best part is you can often get discounted entry when you show your train ticket.
32 London Bridge Street, SE1 9SG
The Old Operating Theatre Museum
Image credit: The Old Operating Theatre Museum
Distance from London Bridge station: 2-minute walk
This atmospheric museum is one of the best things to do near London Bridge for anyone with a morbid curiosity. Just off St Thomas Street, The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret reveal a side of London’s history that most visitors never see. The museum occupies the attic space above the old St Thomas’ Church and includes what is believed to be the oldest surviving operating theatre in Europe, installed in the early 19th century long before anaesthetic or modern surgical practice.
9a St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY
Wonders of Bermondsey Escape Game
Distance from London Bridge station: 2-minute walk
If you’re in the mood for something playful, this outdoor escape game is one of the most fun things to do near London Bridge. Follow clues, explore back streets, and explore the area with fresh eyes. It’s self-paced, easy to drop into an afternoon, and a clever way to make wandering feel like a real adventure.
Starting Point: The Old Operating Theatre Museum
Borough Market
Distance from London Bridge station: 3-minute walk
Even if you’ve lived in London for years, Borough Market is always full of surprises. Its wide alleys are packed with fresh produce and international street food, with vendors who somehow know what you’re craving before you do. On a weekday lunchtime the energy is electric, and at weekends it’s the perfect place to grab something you’ve never tried before. If you’re hungry, graze your way round; if you’re not, it’s still worth a wander just to take it all in.
Borough Market, SE1 9AL
Southwark Cathedral
Distance from London Bridge station: 3-minute walk
Slip away from the busy market and you’ll find Southwark Cathedral waiting just around the corner. This stunning Gothic masterpiece dates back to 1220 and is one of the most underrated things to do near London Bridge. Step inside and admire the vaulted ceilings and memorial to William Shakespeare, which includes a unique stained glass window. There’s often something interesting happening inside, from talks by best-selling authors to deep dives into the local area’s fascinating history.
Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, SE1 9DA
HMS Belfast
Distance from London Bridge station: 3-minute walk
Walk east along the river and you’ll come to HMS Belfast, a huge ship that feels impossibly out of place on a busy city waterway. Once a Second World War cruiser, it’s now a floating museum with decks you can explore and spaces that bring history to life. It’s full of small details that draw you in, like the way the corridors narrow, how bunks are stacked, and the echo under metal ceilings.
The Queen's Walk, SE1 2JH
The George Inn, Southwark
Distance from London Bridge station: 4-minute walk
Thought to be London’s oldest pub and only surviving galleried inn, The George Inn in Southwark is well worth a visit. This authentic 17th century coaching inn has an incredible atmosphere, with good food and even better drinks. Admire the stunning aesthetic on the outside, then head inside for a bite to eat and a drink or two to keep you going.
75 Borough High Street, SE1 1NH
Fashion and Textile Museum
Distance from London Bridge station: 5-minute walk
The Fashion and Textile Museum is a must for anyone interested in all things sartorial. Founded by the fabulous British designer Zandra Rhodes, the museum offers a varied and inspiring programme of talks, courses and workshops, with exhibitions that dig into textiles, style and craftsmanship. It’s iconic, exciting, and you can get discounted entry when you travel by train.
83 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3XF
The Golden Hinde
Distance from London Bridge station: 6-minute walk
For more history, head to the Golden Hinde, a full-size replica of Sir Francis Drake’s galleon. Step aboard and suddenly you’re in a different century, imagining what life might have felt like in Tudor times. With the South Bank’s connections to William Shakespeare, this is a great way to learn more about 16th century history and immerse yourself in the fascinating stories of the past.
St Mary Overie's Dock, Cathedral Street, SE1 9DE
The Clink Prison Museum
Distance from London Bridge station: 7-minute walk
A few steps along Clink Street brings you to one of the most unusual things to do near London Bridge. The Clink Prison Museum sits on the site of one of England’s oldest jails, and its exhibits don’t soften history’s edges. Stories of crime and punishment here are vivid, sometimes shocking, and always human. It’s already affordable, and you can get two adult tickets for the price of one when you travel by train with Thameslink.
1 Clink Street, SE1 9DG
Monument to the Great Fire of London
Distance from London Bridge station: 9-minute walk
Across the river, the dominating Monument marks the starting point of the Great Fire of London in 1666. From street level it’s impressive, but climb the spiral staircase inside and you’ll enjoy a stunning view of rooftops, the river, and the entire city laid out before you. Even if you don’t make it up the stairs, it’s a striking landmark and a reminder of how much this city has seen.
Fish Street Hill, EC3R 8AH
Tower Bridge Engine Rooms
Distance from London Bridge station: 9-minute walk
A scenic stroll east of London Bridge brings you to one of London’s most recognisable bridges. The Tower Bridge Engine Rooms are where Victorian steam power once made the bascules lift, and today the preserved machinery offers a look at how this iconic crossing worked long before modern technology. It’s detailed and fascinating, and you can get discounted tickets when you travel by train.
Bridge Masters Residence, Tower Bridge Road, SE1 2UP
Sky Garden
Distance from London Bridge station: 13-minute walk
Head over London Bridge and into the City to find the Sky Garden, London’s highest public garden perched atop the Walkie Talkie building (that’s what locals call 20 Fenchurch Street). With views over rooftops, spires and streets stretching in all directions, it’s a trendy yet calm place to enjoy the sights and maybe have dinner at one of the on-site fine-dining restaurants. Entry to the Sky Garden is free, but it’s popular so you’ll need to book a slot. If you book a table at one of the restaurants, you’ll get priority entry.
20 Fenchurch Street, EC3R 7JP
Leadenhall Market
Distance from London Bridge station: 15-minute walk
Leadenhall Market is a Victorian market hall that looks like somewhere straight from a Hollywood blockbuster. If it feels that way, that’s because it is: Leadenhall Market is perhaps most famous for its role in the Harry Potter films as the entrance to Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron, and it has also featured in movies like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Johnny English. Ornate ironwork, narrow lanes and boutique shops give it a timeless feel, and it’s one of those places that really make London feel special.
Gracechurch Street, EC3V 1LT
Shakespeare’s Globe
Distance from London Bridge station: 15-minute walk
Stroll along the river and you’ll find Shakespeare’s Globe, a reconstruction of the Bard’s original Elizabethan theatre. Even if you’re not catching a show, the guided tours are a brilliant way to enjoy this historic landmark. In the brand-new, walk-through exhibition space, you’ll be immersed in the sights, sounds, and secrets of Shakespeare’s London, travelling through over 400 years of fascinating history. The best bit? You can get two tickets for the price of one when you travel with Thameslink.
21 New Globe Walk, SE1 9DT
Tate Modern
Distance from London Bridge station: 17-minute walk
Just past the Globe, Tate Modern feels like a destination and community hub all in one. Housed in the old Bankside Power Station, its vast Turbine Hall and galleries showcase an international collection of modern art. It’s free to enter the permanent collection, and there are always brilliant exhibitions worth checking out. If you fancy catching a paid exhibition, you can usually get discounted entry when you travel by train.
Bankside, SE1 9TG