If you’re not familiar with Bankside, it’s time to get to know London’s leading cultural quarter and foodie destination. Famed for its stunning riverside with unrivalled views of St Paul’s, the area is home to Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, Southwark Cathedral and Borough Market. Beyond its iconic visitor attractions, Bankside also has a wealth of character and history hidden within its backstreets.
The area boasts over 40 venues that belong to Venues Bankside, a vibrant collective comprised of top visitor attractions, hotels, corporate and private dining spaces. However, it isn’t variety alone that brings Bankside to the forefront of London’s events scene.
Find out below why Event Professionals are becoming so taken with this central London location…
Culture and creativity
With its medieval origins, people have come to Bankside to experience culture for over 1000 years. Shakespeare lived and worked in the area when it was most renowned for its bear pits, theatres and taverns. Today it’s a slightly different story, yet Bankside still embraces its roots as London’s home of independent entertainment.
Tate Modern remains the world’s most visited art gallery and with six theatres in the neighbourhood, Bankside is fast becoming London’s alternative theatre district. The area’s cultural profile is continuing to thrive with likes of Omeara, a live music, bar and exhibition space owned by Ben Lovett from Mumford & Sons. The Africa Centre at Old Union Yard Arches is another new blank canvas space set within two recently restored rail viaducts.
Connected
Situated between South Bank and London Bridge, Bankside’s central location makes it an extremely accessible area. No matter where you are, you’re only within walking distance from a number of London Underground stations – London Bridge, Blackfriars, Southwark, Waterloo and Borough.
Bankside has its own pier which is operated by MBNA Thames Clippers. With a fleet of private charter vessels available, transporting your guests from A to B has never been so simple.
The Victorian rail viaducts that run through Bankside take an especially prominent position and form the core of the innovative Low Line project. Similar to Manhattan’s Highline, this is an ambitious long term project to re-open a pedestrian walkway along the railway arches with interesting uses. Vast foodie hub, Flat Iron Square along with Old Union Yard Arches are the first two destinations to open along the route.
Private dining
Borough Market is London’s oldest food market and cements Bankside as a top London food destination. The last year alone has seen an influx of restaurants and private dining venues move to the area. You can find a mix of established and new names such as Caravan, Hawksmoor, Arthur Hooper’s, Bar Douro and tibits bankside.
With Hilton London Bankside, CitizenM, Mondrian London and the Accor Hotel Group all located in Bankside, it’s a perfect place to visit from near or far for your event.
Find out more about Venues Bankside at venuesbankside.com
