Bermondsey, London

Today I want to share my guide to Bermondsey with you. This part of South London is a great area to spend time in. From fun markets to famous shopping streets and important cultural institutions, it’s worth a special trip. I’ve been coming here for years, and now I want to show you the best of the area. I’ve included an interactive map, too.

Bermondsey is one of my favorite local neighborhoods in London. Just south of the Thames (and right by landmarks like Tower Bridge and The Shard), this area was once home to tanneries and biscuit factories. It’s even nicknamed Biscuit Town thanks to the huge Peek Frean & Co factory that operated here from 1866 to 1989.

Today Bermondsey is home to everything from converted warehouses to vibrant markets and historic green spaces. Situated in the London Borough of Southwark, it’s in a great part of South East London. It’s a fun spot to shop, eat, drink, and explore.

Whether you want to check out London’s food scene, shop at local markets, discover a museum, walk around, or even live here, this part of the UK capital has something for everyone. If you’d like to get to know the area, you can book a guided tour here.

How to Get Here

If you want to discover Bermondsey in person, it’s easy to get here. Bermondsey station is on the Jubilee line of the London Underground, so you can take the tube right to the heart of the area.

You can also arrive via London Bridge station. It’s served by multiple tube lines, mainline trains, and local buses. Stations like Borough and South Bermondsey are nearby, too.

Additionally, you can get here on foot, by bike, or by scooter from places like London Bridge, Borough, Rotherhithe, Butler’s Wharf, Camberwell, and Tower Bridge.

Bermondsey Street

The best place to start a trip to Bermondsey is on Bermondsey Street. It’s in the name, after all.

Bermondsey Street is one of my favorite high streets in London. With great restaurants, pubs, cafes, and coffee shops, it numbers among my top picks for places to eat in the city.

But that’s not all. The street is home to museums, galleries, parks, and squares, too. And that’s to say nothing of the historic warehouse buildings and mouth-watering food shops dotted along it.

Where to Stay

If you want to call Bermondsey home-away-from-home, there are plenty of great places to stay in the area. From famous hotels to local apartment rentals, there’s accommodation for every taste and style.

My top pick for a place to stay in Bermondsey is Mason & Fifth. Housed in a lovingly-restored Edwardian biscuit factory, it has 28 private studios and communal areas for guests to enjoy. It’s in a great area near the Thames, too. If that sounds good, you can book a stay here.

You can see more options and book accommodation in the area here. With so many good ones to choose from, you’re bound to find a place you love.

Where to Eat & Drink

Bermondsey Street is home to a lot of the most famous places to eat and drink in the area. From tried-and-true staples like Jose and The Woolpack to fun spots like The Garrison and Flour & Grape, it has it all.

Elsewhere in the neighborhood, I love Restaurant Story. Tom Sellers’s flagship establishment, this is where he invites diners into his personal narrative and offers tasting menus that tell the story of British cuisine.

In South Bermondsey, Crol & Co is tucked away on an unassuming side street off the Old Kent Road. This coffee shop is my favorite local spot to pick up an espresso drink when I’m walking from Peckham or Camberwell to Bermondsey.

If you’re not planning to be that far south, there’s another location on Tanner Street just off Bermondsey Street.

Markets

Bermondsey has its share of local markets to explore, too. From street food to vintage treasures, there’s something for everyone.

My favorite is Maltby Street Market. While most visitors head straight for Borough Market, locals often prefer this one. Only a 15-minute walk from Borough Market, this colorful place is hidden away under a series of railway arches on Ropewalk.

Maltby Street Market is packed with food vendors, independent shops, bakeries, restaurants, cafes, bars, and more. It’s one of my favorite local markets in the city. You can watch my YouTube video about it here.

It’s a fun place to come for a meal or drink on a sunny afternoon. Just note that it’s only open on weekends.

If you’re into antiques, you’re in luck. Bermondsey Square hosts the weekly Bermondsey Antique Market every Friday morning.

It’s one of the UK’s oldest antiques markets, and it features a range of indoor and outdoor stalls selling everything from silverware to dishes, paintings, and unusual objects.

If you really want to get local, head to The Blue. It’s the historic center of Bermondsey, and its Market Place is home to stalls selling everything from fresh produce to street food, handcrafted goods, and clothing.

Bermondsey Beer Mile

Another popular thing to do in Bermondsey is the Bermondsey Beer Mile. This unofficial craft beer trail features a loose amalgamation of local breweries and taprooms along a stretch of railway arches that runs from Maltby Street Market to South Bermondsey.

Technically closer to 2 miles, the Bermondsey Beer Mile is packed with great places to taste small-batch brews. The route is walkable, and it’s a great way to discover the area while enjoying everything from traditional cask ales to barrel-aged craft beers and seasonal specials.

If you’re interested, you can book a guided tour of the Bermondsey Beer Mile here. The best time to go is on a Saturday afternoon, as they’ll all be open then.

Parks & Gardens

If you want to get outdoors and into nature, Bermondsey has you covered. My favorite green space in the area is St Mary Magdalen Churchyard. Right on Bermondsey Street, this place was the former yard of the 17th-century church of St Mary Magdalen.

The churchyard is dotted with weathered limestone monuments, and it has a real sense of history. It’s fun to get a coffee at Watch House and walk along the paths.

Another fun place in Bermondsey is Tanner Street Park. Also on Bermondsey Street, this green space has everything from benches to artworks and tennis courts.

There are plenty of others in the area as well. From Bermondsey Spa Gardens to St. John’s Churchyard and Leathermarket Gardens, you’re spoiled for choice in this part of London.

Museums & Galleries

Beyond the parks, Bermondsey has its share of cultural institutions that are worth visiting. From museums to art galleries, the area has a lot to choose from.

One of the most famous is the Fashion and Textile Museum. Founded in 2003 by Zandra Rhodes and housed in a building designed by architect Ricardo Legorreta, this place has everything from rotating exhibitions to workshops and events.

Not far from the museum, the White Cube Gallery on Bermondsey Street is Europe’s largest commercial gallery space. Housed in a striking 1970s building with a wide front courtyard, it hosts rotating shows by a range of artists. The gallery offers free entry, too.

Walk

If you want to see more of this London neighborhood, you can go on my free self-guided London Bridge walk. It will take you around the side streets and show you the best of the area (and beyond!).