Richard's Guidebook for London
Everything Else
Great for running, walking, relaxing. Burgess Park is very large and has interesting hills, wild flower meadows, a new BMX cycling track, and a large lake. There is also a free public barbecue area.
232 locals recommend
Burgess Park
Cobourg RoadGreat for running, walking, relaxing. Burgess Park is very large and has interesting hills, wild flower meadows, a new BMX cycling track, and a large lake. There is also a free public barbecue area.
Food Scene
There are various food and drink options from breakfast through to dinner, plus two bars, DJ nights, comedy nights etc. Also massage and skin care.
37 locals recommend
The Artworks Elephant
Elephant RoadThere are various food and drink options from breakfast through to dinner, plus two bars, DJ nights, comedy nights etc. Also massage and skin care.
A nice pub that serves good food, and once you know the best route it is an easy walk from my flat. It can get very busy, especially on a sunny day.
58 locals recommend
The Roebuck
50 Great Dover StA nice pub that serves good food, and once you know the best route it is an easy walk from my flat. It can get very busy, especially on a sunny day.
Take-away only. Don't be fooled- it looks like a standard kebab shop, but constant queues show the truth. Chicken shish+ salad= healthy meal. Phone to avoid queueing (menu in kitchen drawer).
16 locals recommend
Lebanese Grill
173 New Kent RdTake-away only. Don't be fooled- it looks like a standard kebab shop, but constant queues show the truth. Chicken shish+ salad= healthy meal. Phone to avoid queueing (menu in kitchen drawer).
Good value, freshly cooked, and the menu seems authentically Thai from my memories of visiting Thailand. Understated marketing, so you can normally get a table without booking.
35 locals recommend
Mama Thai Home Cooking
235 Walworth RdGood value, freshly cooked, and the menu seems authentically Thai from my memories of visiting Thailand. Understated marketing, so you can normally get a table without booking.
The Garrison Public House
99 Bermondsey StGreat food and a nice atmosphere.
The Woolpack
98 Bermondsey StA nice pub which also does good food.
José
104 Bermondsey StVery nice tapas bar from the famous chef Jose Pizarro.
Pizarro
194 Bermondsey StVery nice restaurant from the famous chef Jose Pizarro.
Looks like a pub from outside, but the food is very good. Go early, or go after the shows at the two nearby theatres have started- good food means it gets very busy (and you cannot book in advance).
75 locals recommend
The Anchor & Hope
36 The CutLooks like a pub from outside, but the food is very good. Go early, or go after the shows at the two nearby theatres have started- good food means it gets very busy (and you cannot book in advance).
Very nice cocktail bar and restaurant from the famous chef Mark Hix, in a cool setting.
18 locals recommend
Hixter
16 Great Guildford StVery nice cocktail bar and restaurant from the famous chef Mark Hix, in a cool setting.
Good food at a reasonable price, without travelling to the West End or City. A short bus journey from my flat (normally 10- 15 minutes at off-peak times).
Giraffe South Bank
Good food at a reasonable price, without travelling to the West End or City. A short bus journey from my flat (normally 10- 15 minutes at off-peak times).
It has been here for 800 years! Cooked food from independent traders to eat immediately, or you can buy ingredients for a nice meal (expensive but high quality). Good atmosphere (but often very busy- go early if the sun is out).
1617 locals recommend
Borough Market
Borough High StreetIt has been here for 800 years! Cooked food from independent traders to eat immediately, or you can buy ingredients for a nice meal (expensive but high quality). Good atmosphere (but often very busy- go early if the sun is out).
Drinks & Nightlife
NOTE: AirBnB map is WRONG. Navigate by postcode: SE17 3EW. One of the nicest pubs in the area. It is in a nice old building. It is generally quiet and mainly local people use it. They serve food.
52 locals recommend
The Beehive
60 Carter StNOTE: AirBnB map is WRONG. Navigate by postcode: SE17 3EW. One of the nicest pubs in the area. It is in a nice old building. It is generally quiet and mainly local people use it. They serve food.
It was built in 1677 and is the last remaining galleried inn in London. It is so important the National Trust bought it. It has a large yard so you are away from the traffic. Very busy in summer
45 locals recommend
George
Borough High StreetIt was built in 1677 and is the last remaining galleried inn in London. It is so important the National Trust bought it. It has a large yard so you are away from the traffic. Very busy in summer
The pub after which this area has become named. On busy nights there is often a DJ and dancing downstairs (and sometimes upstairs too). It is open quite late at least on Friday and Saturday nights, and you can walk home in just over five minutes.
38 locals recommend
Elephant and Castle Pub
119 Newington CausewayThe pub after which this area has become named. On busy nights there is often a DJ and dancing downstairs (and sometimes upstairs too). It is open quite late at least on Friday and Saturday nights, and you can walk home in just over five minutes.
Arts & Culture
It is the original super-club, and just a few minutes' walk from my flat. Also it hosts the monthly morning club, Morning Gloryville (6.30-10.30am!)- yoga, massage and clubbing all in one place!
197 locals recommend
Ministry of Sound
103 Gaunt StIt is the original super-club, and just a few minutes' walk from my flat. Also it hosts the monthly morning club, Morning Gloryville (6.30-10.30am!)- yoga, massage and clubbing all in one place!
So much interesting history, some parts of it are free entry, and it has nice gardens. It is just a few minutes' walk or bus journey from my flat.
461 locals recommend
Imperial War Museums
Lambeth RoadSo much interesting history, some parts of it are free entry, and it has nice gardens. It is just a few minutes' walk or bus journey from my flat.
So many different types of arts & music (many free), car-free walks along the river, and lots of bars and restaurants. No need to buy anything to use the facilities. Easy by bus 1, 168, 172 or 188 from the end of my street.
436 locals recommend
Southbank Centre
So many different types of arts & music (many free), car-free walks along the river, and lots of bars and restaurants. No need to buy anything to use the facilities. Easy by bus 1, 168, 172 or 188 from the end of my street.
The Old Vic Theatre. AirBnB map calls it the Royal Coburg for some reason (it's original name before 1834!). World famous theatre without crossing the river.
192 locals recommend
The Old Vic
103 The CutThe Old Vic Theatre. AirBnB map calls it the Royal Coburg for some reason (it's original name before 1834!). World famous theatre without crossing the river.
Young Vic
66 The CutModern theatre with a lively bar.
Great theatre productions without the West End prices . You can also eat small meals and use the bar without buying a theatre ticket.
53 locals recommend
Southwark Playhouse
77-85 Newington CausewayGreat theatre productions without the West End prices . You can also eat small meals and use the bar without buying a theatre ticket.
If you are interested in films, make sure you visit here. Check their website first, as you normally need to book in advance.
12 locals recommend
The Cinema Museum
Dugard WayIf you are interested in films, make sure you visit here. Check their website first, as you normally need to book in advance.
Free entry apart from special exhibitions. They always have exhibitions by world-renowned artists.
2008 locals recommend
Tate Modern
BanksideFree entry apart from special exhibitions. They always have exhibitions by world-renowned artists.
A reconstruction of the first Globe Theatre in which Shakespeare worked. From the river bank you can see the architecture, or go inside for a tour or to watch a play. There is also a restaurant.
449 locals recommend
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
21 New Globe WalkA reconstruction of the first Globe Theatre in which Shakespeare worked. From the river bank you can see the architecture, or go inside for a tour or to watch a play. There is also a restaurant.
Sightseeing
A historic place and London home of the Archbishop of Canterbury (the most senior bishop of the worldwide Anglican Communion). You can tour the palace and its 800 year old gardens.
37 locals recommend
Lambeth Palace
A historic place and London home of the Archbishop of Canterbury (the most senior bishop of the worldwide Anglican Communion). You can tour the palace and its 800 year old gardens.
A full-sized reconstruction of the ship Sir Francis Drake used to circumnavigate the globe between 1577-80. They do interactive tours with actors, so learning plus entertainment- good for children.
51 locals recommend
Golden Hinde
Cathedral StreetA full-sized reconstruction of the ship Sir Francis Drake used to circumnavigate the globe between 1577-80. They do interactive tours with actors, so learning plus entertainment- good for children.
Nine decks to explore on a former Royal Navy warship- find out what life was like on board for the crew at war.
195 locals recommend
HMS Belfast
Nine decks to explore on a former Royal Navy warship- find out what life was like on board for the crew at war.
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge RoadTower of London
Entertainment & Activities
Interesting interactive history based on prisons and their inmates, with actors and special effects, if you are not too scared!
234 locals recommend
The London Dungeon
Westminster Bridge RoadInteresting interactive history based on prisons and their inmates, with actors and special effects, if you are not too scared!