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Southwark Uncovered: Private Walking Tour of London's Historic Entertainment Hub
5.0
5 Ratings
Greater London
Uncover the hidden history of Southwark, London’s historic entertainment hub. Explore the sleaze and glamour of centuries past on a private walking tour.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Hay’s Galleria - This beautifully renovated space, once a warehouse, now hosts shops, restaurants, offices, and apartments. Stepping onto Queens Walk at the back of the Galleria, you can enjoy stunning views of the River Thames and the City of London on the north bank.
- The Queen’s Walk - Walking along the path between Tower and London bridges offers a chance to admire London’s iconic skyline, featuring buildings spanning over 900 years! The White Tower of the Tower of London stands as a reminder of Norman power from the 12th century, while the City of London next door is filled with modern buildings. This wonderful contrast between old and new invites reflection on the area’s history as one of the world’s busiest dockyards.
- Borough Market - This centuries-old market was once a bustling place for the wholesale trading of cattle, fish, and grain. Today, as you wander through the vibrant market, you can enjoy its lively atmosphere and imagine its past.
- Southwark Cathedral - One of the oldest churches in London, it survived the purge by the notorious King Henry VIII. Designated a cathedral since 1905, the interior’s sheer beauty, with soaring arches and a dramatic ceiling, creates a sense of space and wonder. Highlights include a stained glass window dedicated to Shakespeare, a Diamond Jubilee window celebrating Elizabeth II’s 60 years on the throne, and the Harvard Chapel honoring John Harvard. We will spend about 20 minutes inside the Cathedral, and while entry is free, there is a small charge for photography.
- Golden Hinde - A replica of the ship that circumnavigated the globe in the 1570s stands majestically beside the River Thames. Once you grasp that a ship of this size could complete such a challenging journey, it’s fascinating to learn fun facts about the voyage: the ship’s original name, the crew, and how many of the original fleet returned to England. We will stop for about 5 minutes to share these insights and more.
- Winchester Palace - Gaze upon the ruins of what was once the large and luxurious home of the Bishops of Winchester. In an area once filled with sleaze and narrow, run-down alleys, this beautiful palace stood as proof that the privileged lived next to the poor. Learn about the Bishops’ power and the meaning of the term Winchester geese—you might be surprised by what went on within the Bishop’s lands!
- Clink Prison Museum - Located on the site of the original Clink prison within the Bishops of Winchester’s lands, this museum contrasts sharply with the nearby luxurious palace. The Clink housed wrongdoers and heretics who dared to oppose the Bishops’ views. Discover the prison’s conditions, how inmates could buy better accommodations, and how this gruesome place was finally closed.
- Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre - This tour offers a glimpse of two Globe theatres! We pass by the original Globe’s location from the late 1500s and, within half a mile, admire the magnificent modern Globe, brought to life by American actor Sam Wanamaker. After seeing the exterior, you’ll want to book a performance inside!
- Tate Modern - This towering old power station now houses London’s largest museum of art. It is one of four Tate museums in England, focusing on international artists’ works since the 1900s.
- Menier Chocolate Factory - Now a beloved theatre, this historic building was once a chocolate factory run by Menier, the largest chocolate manufacturer in France in the late 1800s. As World Wars raged, Switzerland gained an advantage with new chocolate recipes, leading to Menier’s decline. The building became derelict but was designated a grade II listed building in the 1990s, preventing its demolition. It then began a new life as a successful off-West End theatre, and you’ll learn about Menier’s fascinating history.
- Crossbones Graveyard & Garden of Remembrance - Discovered during the Jubilee line extension work, this graveyard was estimated by Museum of London archaeologists to contain 15,000 bodies. Here, you’ll hear more about the Winchester Geese!
What's Included
- Experienced, fun, accredited local guide
What's Not Included
- 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
Additional Information
The Southwark district we see today is a refined part of London, concealing an intriguing past of both scandal and glamour from the previous centuries. In times when London City had rigid laws against activities like drinking, gambling, brothels, theatres, and bear baiting, Southwark emerged as a hub of entertainment with no such constraints. This led to the influx of young city dwellers across the London Bridge seeking amusement. Southwark, however, wasn’t merely catering to its affluent neighbors; it also housed the impoverished and the Bishops of Winchester in their magnificent palace neighboring the splendid Southwark Cathedral, which they maintained. Presently, remnants of the past are still visible: the grand cathedral; the remains of the once opulent Winchester Palace; the remarkable Globe theatre; and the authentic replica of the Golden Hinde.
- 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 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 100 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.
Location
London Bridge
Station Approach Road
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(5 Ratings)
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Rmdlondon
Jul 23, 2024
Highly recommended tour of Southwark - We enjoyed Sandy's tour of Mayfair so much that we booked her Southwark tour, and as she points out at the start, it's a very different, but equally fascinating part of London. Once again Sandy's enthusiasm and encyclopedic knowledge of her subject were clearly evident - I suspect she does an awful lot of research! Although some of us were already familiar with the area, we learned much about the historical background of this everchanging part of London. What makes Sandy's tours so special are the little insights she gives ( ones that other guides might miss? ) and her ability to bring to life the atmosphere and lives of some of the past inhabitants. Her tours are highly recommended - 2 down and 2 to go!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Richardo500
Jul 19, 2024
Fascinating tour. - Our second tour with Hobnob (did James’ last year) and just as enjoyable. We liked the attention to detail illustrated by the actual historical sites. It was fascinating to see the pub from which it is thought Samuel Pepys viewed the Fire of London, as well the site of the Clink jail, and I’d never even heard of the “Winchester Geese” before! The tour brought to life the wealth of history of so many aspects of life in this part of London over the last 1,000 years. Really enjoyed it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rosemaryo988
Jul 19, 2024
There’s more to Southwark than you might think! - Thank you Sandy for opening my eyes to the historical gems around Southwark - the magnificent cathedral contrasting the moving story of the Crossbones cemetery, the Hop Exchange - I could even imagine Dickens drinking ale from the local breweries at the George Inn! It was a fascinating glimpse into the impact of commerce and transport over the centuries in the area. Many thanks!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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