London's South Bank Guide
Just minutes from Waterloo, London's South Bank offers high-rise views of the capital from the London Eye, cutting-edge art at the Tate Modern and underwater thrills at the London Aquarium. Spend a cultural evening at Shakespeare's Globe, or marvel at the Thames illuminated at night from a riverside restaurant.
Catch the best views in London from the top of the London Eye. Sample life both on the sea aboard the HMS Belfast and the replica of Drake's Golden Hinde, and under it at the London Aquarium. View eye-catching contemporary art in the Hayward Gallery and Tate Modern.
After two years of transformation, the Royal Festival Hall reopened its doors in June 2007. While on the face of it, things don't seem much different, the result is a triumph, with the return to the listed building's original designs, increased public spaces and enhanced acoustics in the hall. A much loved building has been given back to Londoners and visitors alike.
When you're not buying tickets for performances or blockbuster exhibitions, find bargains at a choice of markets, hunt for curios at Gabriel's Wharf, or browse more upmarket shops at the base of Oxo Tower Wharf. The Tate Modern's shop is packed with arty gifts, while foodies should head to Borough Market for the freshest of produce.
When the sun shines, the South Bank is the place to be. Stroll from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge and beyond along the Queen's Silver Jubilee Walk. Sit al fresco for a drink or meal and watch the river ferries pass by, with a backdrop of such iconic buildings as the Palace of Westminster, St Paul's and the Tower of London.
Dabble in Shakespearean drama at the Globe or see more international fare at the Royal National Theatre, the newly re-opened Young Vic or Kevin Spacey's Old Vic. The three halls at the Southbank Centre, headed by the Royal Festival Hall, satisfy most musical tastes, especially classical (with four regular orchestras and many visitors), but also jazz, world and rock.
From the Southbank Centre's new eateries offering Chinese, Italian and more, to the freshest fish at Borough Market, you need a river walk to exercise off all the South Bank's good dining. Dine in style atop Oxo Tower Wharf, with its lauded snazzily designed roof terrace restaurant, brasserie and bar, or find liquid refreshment at traditional Thameside pubs and an education in wine at Vinopolis.
Conran's new Skylon Restaurant at the Royal Festival Hall is named after the futuristic "vertical feature" that became the symbol of the 1951 Festival of Britain. There's a model of it inside the restaurant.
