London Bridge & Borough Area Guide

A brief introduction to London Bridge

The area surrounding London Bridge and Borough is one of the busiest parts of south London. The area’s most iconic building – since its opening in 2012 – is the Shard, which looms over the London Bridge transport hub at its foot. Nearby is the renowned foodie haven – Borough Market – selling food to the wholesale trade as well as local Londoners and hungry tourists. The nearby Bankside area, lined with restaurants and cultural venues (including the Tate Modern art gallery), is a scenic spot for a riverside stroll, with striking views across the River Thames to St. Paul’s Cathedral on the north bank.

Food & Drinks in London Bridge & Borough

There are hundreds of places to eat and drink in both London Bridge and Borough. They are filled with bars, restaurants, cafes and markets. So there are plenty to choose from.

Elliot’s

Elliot’s is a lovely cafe and restaurant situated at the border of Borough Market. The menu features the diverse ingredients available from the market in every season, therefore it changes regularly. Elliot’s is a great place to hold informal meetings and have some bites in between.

Bread Ahead

Bread Ahead bakery can be found in Borough Market. Their pastries are one of the best in the area. Their delicious doughnuts are perfect for an afternoon bite with a coffee, while working. In addition to the market’s stall, they also have a bakery and baking school in one of the market’s glass buildings, so don’t miss out on this great opportunity.

Roast

As already in the name, Roast is a great place to get some British cuisine. Located in the Floral Hall mezzanine inside Borough Market. They serve a great selection of meats and mouthwatering fish dishes. Great place to go if you want a longer lunch time and some proper food.

Health & Wellbeing

Mint Street Park

Mint Street Park is a city park at the heart of the community. In addition to the simple green space there is a kids Adventure Playground, a community stage, a renewed play area with a great rocky climbing wall and a ball court. This hidden gem is perfect for a walk, soaking up the sunshine for lunch or adding to your run route to take in the fresh air.

The Stress Exchange

This hair and beauty salon is ready and waiting to offer you a wealth of treatments. The entire basement has been transformed into a spacious and relaxing environment where they offer beauty treatments, holistic therapies and house their clinic.

Crossfit Central London

Weight-loss, confidence, strength, fitness, improved health & wellbeing; all results you can gain from Crossfit sessions. Just five minutes walk from Borough tube station the gym itself is located in the converted railway arches. It’s a great place to spend some free time and get fit.

Shopping

There are many different shops you can choose from, so whatever you are looking for you will always find it.

Borough Kitchen

Borough Kitchen is the cookshop at Borough market and stocks everything from frying pans, saucepan sets and cooking tools through to cutlery, crockery and glassware. They also have a large number of gift ideas, perfect if you’re looking for a wedding or birthday gift – with lots of options to suit any budget.

Neal’s Yard Remedies

Neal’s Yard Remedies sits just opposite Borough Market and the brand, which started back in 1981, believes in natural products. Their range consists of skincare products such as the popular ‘beauty sleep concentrate’ designed to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles overnight, as well as a bath and body range, mother and baby products, aromatherapy and make-up.

Next

You can find Next within Hays Galleria, across from the ship statue. This retailer is your one stop shop for everything fashion, with women’s and menswear from their own brand label, as well as a few brands such as Lipsy clothing, Vero Moda and Little Mistress.

Hidden Gems of London Bridge & Borough

Do you know where these gems can be found?

Crossbones Graveyard

Grubby ribbons decorate the fence surrounding the Crossbones Graveyard, bearing the names of some of the thousands of people who were tossed into an open grave on this site several hundred years ago. Many of these people were paupers and prostitutes, without the money or social standing to earn them a proper grave. Even though the place is graveyard, behind the ribbons and the fences lays a 100-year-old history.

The George Inn

One of the oldest pubs in the whole of London. The old coaching inn has a gallery on its upper levels, where once bedrooms housed weary travellers. Today the busy bar is more likely to be propped up by workers from nearby offices, however, and the courtyard in front of the inn is a popular spot for summertime socialising.

Bridget Jones’ front door

For those who love romance, Bridget Jones is one of the most famous movies of all time.By the Globe Tavern lays a small black door which is something of a pilgrimage-site. In the film, Bridget Jones’ Diary, the eponymous diarist lived in a flat above The Globe, behind that very same black front door.