24 Hours in South Bank: A guide to the riverside London neighbourhood

You have 24 hours to spend in South Bank. What do you do? This riverside London neighbourhood is home to some of the most scenic tourist spots and cultural attractions in the city. With the river Thames just a few feet away, South Bank offers a beautiful view of the city just beyond the water, with the London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral visible in the distance. 

There is also the Tate Modern and the Southbank Centre, which houses the Royal Festival Hall and has the BFI IMAX just a few metres away. It is here that the arts really thrive, with Royal Festival Hall also hosting the annual BFI London Film Festival, which sees Hollywood’s biggest stars coming to London to showcase some of the most anticipated releases of the year. 

With so much to see and do in this cultural hub of London, here, we curate a guide for the best way to spend 24 hours in South Bank.STAY | Sea Containers London

If you’re looking for a luxury hotel that, beyond offering exceptional service and comfortable suites, also offers sweeping views of the London skyline backdropped by the River Thames, then Sea Containers London is the best place to be. Inspired by the 1920s transatlantic liners, there is a nautical theme throughout the hotel, which makes it feel like you’re staying in a giant cruise ship without even leaving the London shores.

Their new refurbished riverview suites take design cues from cruise ship staterooms with long, cabin-like proportions, curved seating, custom art, smart storage and recycled terrazzo-style surfaces made from discarded plastic spools and refrigerators. Offering gorgeous views of the London coastline, the suites are incredibly spacious and provide ample comfort for an evening of rest and relaxation. The balcony is also a great spot to read a book or two as you watch the sun set just beyond the horizon.

The hotel also has plenty of food and drink outlets, including the Lyaness bar, where you can stop by for a cocktail or two before heading over to the Sea Containers Restaurant (more on this in a moment) for dinner. There is also the agua spa, where you can choose from a variety of pampering treatments, a state-of-the-art gym for all of your fitness needs, and even a Curzon cinema inside the hotel where you can watch all the latest movies.DINE | Sea Containers Restaurant

While there are many amazing restaurants around the South Bank, you don’t need to travel too far for a fine dining experience, as the hotel’s Sea Containers Restaurant is perfectly equipped for all your dietary needs. Start with a glass of bubbles or sip from their selection of cocktails before diving into the menu, complete with a bottle of wine selected by their incredibly knowledgeable sommeliers. With stunning views across the River Thames and an American-British inspired menu that celebrates seasonality and ingredient-led cooking, there is something for everyone at this restaurant.

We recommend trying the seabass ceviche tacos as well as the grilled tenderstem broccoli salad with wild rice, radicchio and chilli. The latter looked (and tasted) so good, another table across from us ordered it after seeing it on our table. For mains, you cannot go wrong with the brick chicken with confit garlic jus and oregano with a side of delicious fries or the classic SeaCo cheeseburger with all the accoutrements. Finish with a sticky toffee pudding or a New York cheesecake, capping off a lovely evening with a sweet note.SHOP | Oxo Tower Wharf, Southbank Centre shops

South Bank has many boutique outlets, shopping centres and eccentric shops for you to buy artsy gifts for yourself and your loved ones. The Oxo Tower Wharf is one such London landmark and design hub that contains studios and galleries where talented local artisans create and sell their products. This is an anti-mall experience, where every item on sale is unique and handmade and the artisans themselves are usually present to talk you through their products. Meanwhile, at Southbank Centre, there are many shops dotted along the riverbank that offer art and curated products. The Hayward Gallery Shop is a great place to grab an art book, and if you’re at the Royal Festival Hall for an event, do stop by the gift shop for a great selection of gifts for your loved ones. There is also Gabriel’s Wharf, where you will find a great mix of independent design-led boutiques and artisan jewellers.EXPLORE | Tate Modern, The Queen’s Walk and Southbank Centre

South Bank is one of London’s most scenic arts and culture neighbourhoods, filled with plenty of things to do for all ages. Head over to Tate Modern for some of the most fantastic modern and contemporary art exhibitions in the city. Completely free to enter, you will find paintings, sculptures and large-scale installations from artists around the world including Pablo Picasso, Yayoi Kusama and Henri Matisse. Once you’ve explored the museum, head over for a stroll down The Queen’s Walk, which has street performers, food markets and cafes dotted around the riverside promenade. 

And finally, visit the Southbank Centre, which is the artistic hub of the area. Here you will find everything from exciting exhibitions and classical music shows to tours of South Bank and many art festivals like the London Literature Festival and the London Film Festival. In fact, this June, pop star Harry Styles is curating the 31st edition of Meltdown – the world’s longest running artist-curated music festival – at Southbank Centre, which he will also be participating in. All the more reason to stop by South Bank in the summer!

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