Things to do in London Bridge

There is something about viewing a great city like London from a height, and viewing heights do not come any better than that at The Shard.

From the viewing gallery at The Shard you get an incredible 360 degree panoramic view of this historic city, picking out all the iconic landmarks below.

The Shard offers London’s highest viewing point at 244 meters above the capital. High speed lifts whisk you up to the 68th floor in only a minute to begin your visit. One floor further up is where you will find the main viewing gallery with its stunning all round views.

The 72nd floor houses the open-air sky deck where you can enjoy the spectacular views while feeling the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. The View from the Shard champagne bar allows you to enjoy your visit in style.

Family tickets can be bought from £25 per person, allowing access to the viewing platforms as well as a guidebook and souvenir digital photos. There is also a gift shop where you can buy mementos of your visit.

Tower Bridge is one of London’s most famous landmarks, the raising of the bridge still a thrill no matter how many times you watch.

Visitors to Tower Bridge can explore the towers and engine rooms, learn about the people who helped in its construction, and experience the bridge’s glass floored walkway.

The bridge was built between 1886 and 1894, with over 400 labourers working on the site each day. Visitors start their tour of the bridge in the North Tower, which takes you up and out on to the glass walkway 42 meters above the river Thames. Here you will have stunning panoramic views over the capital, as well as unique views of the bridge and river beneath through the glass floor.

From the walkway you descend through the South Tower, before heading to the engine rooms where you can see the inner workings of the bridge, including the Victoria steam engines. You will also learn about the people who worked the bridge, with 80 people once required for its maintenance and operation.

Stunning views, architecture and incredible engineering await visitors to this landmark bridge. This is a dog-friendly attraction where tickets start at £10.60, with children half price. Guided tours are available from £20.

HMS Belfast is permanently moored on the river Thames and offers visitors a fascinating insight in to life at sea during times of conflict. HMS Belfast’s preservation as an immersive visitor attraction allows you to explore the nine decks of this historically significant warship.

Launched in 1938, HMS Belfast served in a number of conflict zones during its illustrious career, including supporting Operation Overlord on D-Day in 1944. Now you have the chance to explore the inner workings of this warship, and can even take control from the Captain’s chair.

Across the nine decks there are a host of interactive and immersive exhibitions showing you what life was like on board during times of peace and war. HMS Belfast had a crew of almost 1000 and you can discover their personal stories. From the lower decks to the spectacular views from the upper decks, there is so much to explore on the Royal Navy’s most significant surviving second world war warship.

HMS Belfast is open daily with adult prices starting from £22.50. Children under 5 years of age are admitted free of charge. Private tours for groups of up to six people are also available for this unique visitor experience.

This may be one of the more unusual museums you will visit. It is the oldest surviving surgical theatre in Europe and can be found in the garret of St Thomas’ church, which was once part of St Thomas’ hospital.

The theatre opened in 1822 and was in use for 40 years, remaining forgotten about for over a hundred years before being turned in to a museum.

The atmospheric operating room has some noteworthy features to look out for, including the wooden theatre table. In the early years operations on this table would have been performed without any anaesthetic. The museum has a collection of historical medical equipment plus a herb garret room where you can browse the herbs, tinctures and other assorted curiosities used to treat people in times gone by.

This is a hidden gem of a museum. However, access to the attic is by a 52 step spiral staircase. The museum opens every Friday and Saturday with concession prices from £6 and family tickets from £18.

London Bridge has been witness to centuries of history, not all of it pretty. The London Bridge Experience will test your nerves as it takes you on a memorable trip through the scariest elements of the city’s history.

This immersive attraction will bring you face to face with the likes of Queen Boadicea, William Wallace, Jack the Ripper and more.

From the Roman times though to modern day London, visitors travel through history with actors bringing to life the old streets of London Bridge. It is not everyday you get the chance to experience medieval London as you walk across the shop lined London bridge at the time of the Great Fire.

Prepare to be scared as you enter the London tombs. This scare maze is filled with unique characters whose sole purpose in life is to frighten those who pass. Not one for the feint hearted, but the actors, special effects and atmosphere of the tombs are a fun and exciting way to round off your visit.

There is a special Guardian Angel show designed for children under 11 which is equally fun, but just a little less scary!

Sir Francis Drake is one of the most famous names in Britain’s seafaring history, with the Golden Hinde the first ship to circumnavigate the world.

This full scale reconstruction of Drake’s ship allows visitors the chance to find out what it was like to sail the seas in the Elizabethan era.

This is a living museum with an expert crew bringing the ship to life. Discover the history of the ship and the tales of the crew who sailed in her as you explore the decks. You can choose to explore the ship under your own steam or have a private guided tour from one of the expert crew members.

The Golden Hinde is located at St Mary Overie Dock in Cathedral Street, with London Bridge the closest station. Admission is from £5, or £15 for a ticket covering a family of four. Unfortunately the Golden Hinde is not currently accessible by wheelchair.

London Bridge is home to a good number of art galleries. The two galleries listed below provide a flavour of the cultural offering you will find in London Bridge.

White Cube Gallery

This leading contemporary art gallery is just a 10 minute walk away from London Bridge, providing visitors the opportunity to admire some of the world’s leading artists. The exhibitions and artists may change though the year, but the impressive scale and presentation of the work does not. At the White Cube gallery you can enjoy and interpret art at your leisure.

Underdog Art Gallery

This is an arts and music bar which promotes up and coming, as well as more established artists and musicians. The gallery loves nothing better but to champion the work of the outsider while producing its signature eclectic mix of art and music. This is a quirky venue, not a traditional gallery but an arts and music bar where the artwork is a hugely important part of the overall environment.

This beautiful cathedral is the oldest Gothic church in London. Dating back to the turn of the thirteenth century, the cathedral has strong literary connections.

During your visit you can learn about its links to Dickens, Shakespeare and the court poet John Gower. Look out for the memorial to Shakespeare as well as the stained glass window depicting the great play-write.

Visitors are welcome to attend services or to participate in their drop-in tours. The cathedral also offers group tours for 10 or more people, where you will learn about the building’s history and have the chance to admire its unique collection of stained glass windows.

The cathedral has a courtyard cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, plus a shop and a lovely herb garden around which you can take a peaceful stroll.