Southwark

Southwark sits on the south bank of the Thames, close enough to the City and the West End to feel central, but with its own character built around markets, theatres and a long, layered history. It is a place people pass through on their way to a show or a museum, and increasingly a place they choose to stay, drawn by river views and the pull of Borough Market.

The range of places to stay reflects that. There are straightforward, well-located options like the ibis Styles London Southwark, right by Borough Market, and the Premier Inn London Southwark Bankside for those who want reliable comfort without fuss. At the other end sits Sea Containers London, a design-led hotel on the riverside with the kind of views that justify the address. Central Palace - Excellent Stay in London offers Zone 1 convenience, while George Canning in Denmark Hill sits a little further out for those happy to travel in. For a longer stay, On The Thames self-catering cottage lets visitors settle in properly, with their own space to come back to after a day out.

History is close at hand here. The Clink Prison Museum tells the story of one of England's oldest and most notorious prisons, right on the site where it once stood, and The Bankside Mystery Treasure Trail turns the surrounding streets into a puzzle worth solving on foot. For a change of pace, Belair Park offers green space away from the crowds along the river.

Southwark works well as a base for exploring London generally, but it holds enough on its own, market stalls, riverside walks, museums built into old buildings, that many visitors find they do not need to go far to fill their days.