London – Around Town : Westminster, the South Bank and Southwark (part 2) – The Best of the Rest

by

A Day By the River


Morning

Start at Waterloo with
breakfast and a self-guided tour of the Marriott Hotel, based in the
splendid former headquarters of the Greater London Council. Cross
Westminster Bridge to visit
Westminster Abbey
 and nearby St Margaret’s Church.

Continue along Abingdon
Street to Lambeth Bridge and re-cross the river. Have a coffee at the
delightful little café at Lambeth Pier, passing
Lambeth Palace
 on your way. Walk along the Albert Embankment for a stunning view of the
Houses of Parliament
 across the river.

For lunch, you might like to try the Japanese restaurant YO! Sushi or the innovative
fish!
. Both are in Belvedere Road, behind the London Eye.

Afternoon

Walk along the embankment to the
Southbank Centre, browsing the second-hand bookstalls outside the BFI Southbank. Continue past the craft shops of
Gabriel’s Wharf
 to the
Oxo Tower’s
 designer galleries just beyond and take the lift to the tower’s viewing platform for a great view of the city.

Afterwards, head along the embankment to
Tate Modern
 – a wonderful place to spend the rest of the afternoon. Have a drink with more views in the Espresso Bar: Level 4. Further downriver, the
Anchor
 pub is a good place to relax and have dinner.

The Best of the Rest




County Hall building



  1. Clink Exhibition

    London’s first prison now houses a small exhibition devoted to crime and punishment.

    • 1 Clink Street SE1

    • Open 10am–6pm daily (to 9pm May–Sep)

    • Admission charge

  2. Sea Life London Aquarium

    See thousands of marine creatures in exciting themed settings at one of Europe’s largest aquariums .

    • County Hall SE1

    • Open 10am–6pm daily

    • Admission charge

  3. Dalí Universe

    A permanent exhibition of 500 works by the great Spanish surrealist Salvador Dalí (1904–89).

    • County Hall SE1

    • Open 10am–5:30pm daily

    • Admission charge

  4. BFI London IMAX

    Giant-screen cinema that shows exciting movies set in the natural world.

    • South Bank SE1

    • Open daily (screening times vary)

    • Admission charge




  5. Namco Station

    Popular with children, this centre has arcade games, bumper cars and a bowling alley.

    • County Hall SE1

    • Open 10am–midnight




  6. Florence Nightingale Museum

    Fascinating museum devoted to the life and work of 19th-century nurse Florence Nightingale.

    • 2 Lambeth Palace Road SE1

    • Open 10am–5pm Mon–Fri, 10am–4:30pm Sat & Sun

    • Admission charge




  7. Golden Hinde

    A replica of the ship in which Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the world from 1577 to 1580.

    • St Mary Overie Dock SE1

    • Open 10am–sunset daily

    • Admission charge




  8. Fashion and Textile Museum

    Zandra Rhodes’ museum showcases the best of contemporary fashion, textiles and jewellery.

    • 83 Bermondsey Street SE1

    • Open 11am–6pm Wed–Sun

    • Admission charge

  9. Young Vic Theatre

    This
    famous company for young theatre-goers is now back in its original
    site, housed in a stunning new building. Its exciting, critically
    acclaimed productions are loved by children of all ages.

    • The Cut SE1

  10. Oxo Tower Wharf

    For great city views, take a lift to the public viewing gallery next to the restaurant . Check out the boutiques and galleries below.

    • Bargehouse Street SE1

    • Open daily




    Oxo Tower