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Connected to the City of London via the Millennium, London and Tower Bridges, Southwark borough stretches south from the banks of the Thames River down to Crystal Palace Park. It contains some of the capital’s top tourist sights and most spectacular views of the city’s skyline.

Southwark has long been regarded as the birthplace of classical theatre, and it’s here that Shakespeare’s Elizabethan Globe Theatre has been rebuilt, presenting his plays in the open-air. It’s also renowned for its outstanding international museums and galleries, including Britain’s oldest public gallery, the Dulwich Picture Gallery, together with the world-class collection of cutting-edge contemporary works at the Tate Modern. The Royal Watercolour Society and Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers also call Southwark home, while the MOCA gallery in Peckham Rye showcases emerging artists. Britain’s fascinating military history is on display at the Imperial War Museum, while the London Fire Brigade Museum and Old Operating Theatre Museum both present their industries throughout engaging exhibits. Two of the borough’s newest attractions are the London Bridge Experience and nearby London Tombs, taking guests on an interactive and spine-chilling ride through some of the city’s darker moments, including the Great Fire of London and both Roman and Viking encounters. Recently celebrating its 1,000th birthday, the Borough Market is another Southwark destination not to be missed, selling a range of fresh produce and specialty foods since 1014.

London Bridge station is the main transport hub in Southwark, located right on the doorstep of Southwark Cathedral. From here visitors can connect by the London Underground across the city, or along the Southern, Southeastern and Thameslink train lines. The borough is pleasant to explore on foot, with some of the best views across towards the City of London skyline from its waterfront.

Southwark borough was created as recently as 1963 when it integrated three small council areas into one. The area has long had strong literary associations, and it was here that Charles Dickens once lived and set many of his novels, with both the Tabard and White Hart Inns still in existence.