London’s Open Spaces
April 2, 2021
While much of London remains closed we’re taking the opportunity to explore some of our favourite gardens, parks & outdoor spaces in London.
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Bankside Pier is located on the south shore of the River Thames next to the Millennium Bridge within the London Borough of Southwark. Bankside stretches from Blackfriars Railway Bridge to the edge of London Bridge City & is one of London’s newer tourist hot spots. Bankside & the surrounding area is home to a variety of historical & contemporary attractions including Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, the Clink Prison Museum, Golden Hinde II, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tate Modern, Bankside Gallery & the Millennium Bridge. Bankside is also home to numerous riverside restaurants, pubs, bars & is just a short walk from London Bridge City, the City of London & the South Bank.
There have been settlements in the Southwark area since the Roman’s first established Londinium & built the first London Bridge. The area was the lowest bridging point of the River Thames during the Roman era & it’s name derives from Sudweca meaning southern defensive work. The area became a a busy thoroughfare after the construction of an early medieval London Bridge in c990 & Borough Market was established in 1014 which is still trading today.
Southwark played an important defensive role & was burned by William the Conqueror during the Norman Conquest in 1066. William was unable to cross the well fortified London Bridge & travelled over 50 miles upriver to Wallingford to avoid other secure crossings including Reading.
During the Tudor era Bankside was home to numerous establishments which were not permitted in the City of London including theatres (Including the Rose & Globe theatres), animal-baiting pits, gambling dens & brothels. Bankside has been home to many famous Londoners including William Shakespeare during the 17th century & then Sir Christopher Wren during the construction of St. Paul’s Cathedral in the 18th century.
Bankside Pier is a 7 minute walk* from Blackfriars Station which is served by National Rail Services & the Circle & District London Underground Lines. The pier is also an 11 minute walk* from London Bridge Station which is served by National Rail Services, the Jubilee & Northern London Underground Lines & a number of buses.
While much of London remains closed we’re taking the opportunity to explore some of our favourite gardens, parks & outdoor spaces in London.
Thames River Sightseeing are operating on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays with a reduced timetable. Our Sunday Evening Cruises are suspended until further notice.
There’s plenty to do in London during the February Half Term. Join us for a river cruise & see London from a different point of view.
To celebrate the New year we’re offering a 20% discount on Daytime Sightseeing Cruises & Sunday Evening Cruises booked before the 1st March 2020.
There’s plenty to do in Central London & Greenwich at Christmas. We’ve highlighted a few of our favourites including markets & New Year’s Eve Cruises.
During the 32nd Great River Race a number of River Closures will take place. Thames River Services will be operating an amended timetable during the race.
As part of Transport for London’s on-going commitment to upgrade & improve their piers Bankside Pier will be closed between 7-24 May 2019.
The Thames River Services Summer Timetable returns on the 1st April 2019 & cruises to the Thames Flood Barrier will operate daily until late October 2019.
It’s National Afternoon Tea Week so why not indulge with an afternoon tea & a glass of Prosecco with a river view. Below are just a selection of afternoon tea’s available along the River Thames. Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) Combine a tour of the home of British politics with afternoon tea in one of the riverside rooms of the House of Commons. Audio Tours & Guided Tours of Charles Barry & Augustus Pugin’s Gothic masterpiece are available followed by a tradition afternoon tea with a modern twist. New Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) Visit Website The Swan at Shakespeare’s Globe Visit the Swan restaurant at Shakepeare’s Globe & choose between two inspired afternoon teas. ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream Afternoon Tea’ features a selection of savoury & sweet items inspired by the characters from Shakespeare’s plays. The ‘Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea’ offers beef sliders, croque monsieur, smoked salmon & more, all washed down with a tankard of Pale Ale or Lager. Shakespeare’s Globe, Bankside Visit Website The Cutty Sark Café Treat yourself to an afternoon tea beneath the copper-plated hull of the China tea trade’s famous tea clipper, ‘Cutty Sark’. Cutty Sark Café’s afternoon tea is £27 & includes
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