A vital crossing point for people, goods, and livestock, the London Bridge has been crucial since Roman Times. The Bridge area was the world’s busiest port when Queen Victoria came to the throne. When building the present-day London Bridge in 1894, the designers enabled the bridge to lift, allowing larger cargo ships to continue their journey to upriver warehouses.
Today, river traffic is mostly tourist boats, but an Act of Parliament gives ships free access and priority over road traffic. The bridge can rise at any time. The area has continued to thrive, attracting many admiring visitors to explore the numerous things to do near London Bridge.
Things To Do Near London Bridge: Map
Jack the Ripper Museum – In the Heart of Whitechapel
The Jack the Ripper museum is in a Victorian terraced house in Whitechapel’s heart. The museum takes you back to 1888, when shocking murders occurred.
The museum has details of the victims, suspects, reports of the police investigation, and information about the residents’ daily lives in East End London.
It is a small museum, with a room on each floor. You will find further crime-related details, newspaper reports, murder locations, and crime illustrations.
As you wander around the house, you get a sense of what life was like in the darkened rooms with flickering lights.
An option is to include a guided museum tour, where guides share knowledge and interesting facts.
Prices are,
- For the museum entrance only, an adult is from £10.00, and a child is from £8.00.
- For a guided museum tour, prices start from £16.00 for an adult and £12.80 for a child.
The museum is interesting, with plenty of information about the horrific events. The place is small, so it quickly feels crowded. However, it is a great visit, and exploring the rooms takes about an hour.
Address: 12 Cable St, Aldgate, London E1 8JG
Telephone: 020 3978 0820
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Borough Market – One of London’s Oldest and Largest
Borough Market is an exciting market. It is full of colour and vibrance, with a tantalising medley of foods to try. The market dates back over 1,000 years, when merchants began trading fish, grain, vegetables, and livestock.
A fun thing to do in Borough Market is to join a Taste of Borough Market Tour with TV chef, author, and food expert Celia Brooks. For £110.00, Celia will show you the delights and hidden treasures of the famous market. There are oysters, fine cheeses, charcuterie, Sicilian cannoli, chocolate, and street food.
Other tours include a three-hour tasting tour with Totally Tailored for £290.00 + £65.00 per person to cover the cost of food and drinks.
Borough Market is a treasure trove for food lovers. There’s Turkish Delight, coffee, a spice shop, and a store selling nuts and brittle. The list is endless. Prices are slightly higher than in markets nearby. However, it is a fantastic foodie experience.
Address: 8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TL
Telephone: 020 7407 1002
Related: 7 Must-Try Brunch Spots at London Bridge – Delicious Breakfast
The London Bridge Experience – A Haunted Bridge
The award-winning London Bridge Experience is the UK’s scariest attraction. As you walk through the last 2,000 years of London’s history, watch out for the zombies and crazy geezers with chainsaws.
London has a murky past, and there is a mix of scares and historical facts. Loud music and effective lighting add to the atmosphere, and the actors receive high praise for their performances.
If you need a stiff drink or food to settle your nerves, there’s the Monster Bar at the end of the experience, set in the vaults of London Bridge.
General prices for the London Bridge Experience and London Tombs are,
- Adult: £26.95
- Child: £19.50
- Family: £69.99
The above prices include a £1.00 booking fee.
A Frank & Stein Package includes the London Bridge Experience and Tombs, a Stein of Paulaner beer and a Classic Bratwurst Hotdog from the Bermondsey Bierkeller. It’s for over 18’s and costs £39.99 + £1.50 booking fee.
For frighteningly good fun, The London Experience is one of the most popular London Bridge Activities.
Address: The Rennie Vaults, 2 – 4 Tooley St, London, SE1 2SY
Telephone: 020 7403 6333
The Clink Prison – One of England’s Most Notorious
Clink Prison dates back to 1144, making it one of England’s oldest. It is one of the things to do near London Bridge and Borough Market. There is plenty of history to learn through sensory learning through touch, sight, sound, and smell.
Ticket prices for adults are £8.00, and for children, the price is £6.00, a family of four is £23.00.
Clink might seem gory and not for the squeamish or faint-hearted. It is a family-friendly attraction and encourages kids to get involved. They can handle torture devices, have a go at activity sheets, and take part in a rodent hunt.
The museum might be small. However, it is bursting with information and reasonably priced compared to some tourist attractions.
Address: 1 Clink St, London SE1 9DG
Telephone: 020 7403 0900
HMS Belfast – Imperial War Museum
Welcome aboard HMS Belfast, a historic warship and the Royal Navy’s largest surviving combatant ship of WW II.
HMS Belfast is a fun thing to do near London Bridge for all the family, couples, and solos. There are nine decks to explore. It’s great fun climbing ladders and exploring the Command Centre, Ship’s Galley, and the mess decks, where the ship’s crew lived. Remember to mind your head and duck through the hatches if you’re over 6 feet.
The ship might be old. However, it has some of the state of the art multi-sensory displays and a free interactive gaming room.
If you’re a member of the Imperial War Museum, entrance is free. Otherwise, prices are,
- Adult: £24.50
- Child: £12.25
It is easy to lose yourself in how life used to be onboard, and a visit to HMS Belfast can take 1.5 to 3 hours.
Address: The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2JH
Telephone: 020 7940 6300
Tower Bridge – A Symbol of London
Tower Bridge is one of London’s iconic symbols. It represents the ingenuity of Victorian engineering. The building started in 1894, and since then, the bridge has collected many stories to tell.
Visiting the museum is a great way to soak up the atmosphere and discover the stories behind London’s Tower Bridge.
Your trip begins by climbing the North Tower and stepping onto the East and West Walkways. These cross 42 metres above the River Thames and link the North to the South Tower. They offer a panoramic vista of London, and the glass walkways provide a unique bird’s eye view of the Thames below.
On reaching the other side, it’s time to visit the fascinating Victorian Engine Rooms.
Ticket prices are,
- Adult: £12.30
- Child: £6.20
Residents of the local areas of Southwark, Tower Hamlets, and the City of London can purchase a ticket for £1.00.
Tower Bridge is impressive to see from the inside and outside. Witnessing the fabulous views and preserved Victorian engineering is a remarkable experience.
Address: Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP
Telephone: 020 7403 3761
The Golden Hinde – An English Galleon Ship
To continue with London Bridge’s maritime history. The Golden Hinde, Sir Francis Drake’s famous galleon ship on which he circumnavigated the world between 1577 and 1580, is now moored at London Bridge. Although a life-size replica of the original, it has also sailed the world.
Visiting the Golden Hinde provides a fascinating insight into life on board in the 16th Century. The ship is surprisingly small, and the conditions are cramped, considering the distance it sailed.
The ship is open daily, from 10 am to 5 pm, and an audio tour is available in English and Spanish.
Weekend morning guided tours provide history and facts about the Golden Hinde and what life would have been like.
The museum regularly holds an Escape from the Golden Hind immersive adventure. The ship has travelled many miles and picked up a few ghosts along her way. You have 60 minutes to escape the spirits. Some clues are more challenging than others, but you will learn some history on your journey.
Other events include nautical cocktail evenings, night voyages, where you have a sleepover on the famous ship and craft rum-tasting nights.
Prices for adults and children aged over three are £6.00. A family ticket is £18.00.
The Golden Hinde is one of the most fascinating historical attractions near London Bridge. It is close to many bars and restaurants if you’ve built up an appetite after your sea-faring voyage.
Address: St Mary Overie’s Dock, Cathedral St, London SE1 9DE
Telephone: 020 7403 0123
Tips for Things To Do Near London Bridge
- How do you get a good view of London Bridge? You can get amazing views from HMS Belfast. Or, head to one side of the Thames, and the Shard is another excellent place to take a photo.
- Can you walk London Bridge for free? Yes, it is free to walk across the bridge.
