Situated on the southern bank of the river Thames, Bermondsey sat derelict for several decades. Today it has developed a reputation for sleek warehouse apartments, excellent restaurants and cool cultural institutions.
View from Bermondsey Square Hotel
Bermondsey was once famous for its booming leather trade and later on for its food processing industry. One of the most charming things about Bermondsey is its unique blend of old and new. Now it’s a lively part of the capital, with plenty of good restaurants and cafes, even though they can be a bit tricky to find at times. Bermondsey also has plenty of excellent bars and pubs, as well as a popular busy arts scene.
Check out our 5 alternative things to do in Bermondsey:
Brunel Museum - The Brunel Museum is a museum in the Brunel Engine House in Rotherhithe. The Engine House was designed by Sir Marc Isambard Brunel to be part of the infrastructure of the Thames Tunnel. You can read our review here.
Pizarro - A large modern space with open kitchen for tapas and other Spanish cuisine with a contemporary twist. The restaurant serves well portioned sizes, and is reasonably priced for the quality of food on offer.
Maltby Street Market - A vibrant small food street market tucked away in the back streets near Tower Bridge. There is some beautiful food on offer and if you like oysters then the oyster place is a must. If you are a lover of Street Food, you will not be disappointed. Open weekends.
214 Bermondsey - This subterranean bar beneath the Italian restaurant Antico on Bermondsey Street is dedicated to all things gin. It’s a stylish, low lit space, with a wide bar which dominates the room surrounded by stools and backed by an array of attractively illuminated bottles. (Highly recommended by our readers)
Shortwave Cinema - Nestled in the newly gentrified area of Bermondsey Square this tiny cinema (booking your tickets online is strongly recommended: the capacity of Shortwave’s only screen is 52) is mainly geared towards new releases and shows a good mix of commercial and indie films. There is also a great café/bar inside.
