What to do with kids in London: Southwark
On the south side of the River Thames, the London borough of Southwark offers an enticing blend of historical treasures and contemporary attractions to explore with kids. This central neighbourhood is packed with immersive museums, interactive exhibits, family-friendly theatres, and experiences that allow families with children to delve into London’s colourful past and thriving arts scene. In this post discover the best things to do in Southwark with kids.
If you’re looking for ideas about where to eat with kids in Southwark, check out our separate post.
About the area
Southwark is a central London borough situated just south of the River Thames. It’s bordered by the River Thames and City of London financial district to the north, the South Bank and Waterloo to the west and Bermondsey to the east.
[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m12!1m3!1d5705.687315851087!2d-0.083186780226241!3d51.503221679538214!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!5e0!3m2!1sen!2suk!4v1718751675209!5m2!1sen!2suk&w=600&h=450]For the purposes of this guide, the focus is on the stretch of London between Tower Bridge and London Bridge. Bankside and the Southbank will be dealt with in a separate post.
What to do in Southwark with children?
Read on for our curated list of ideas for making the most of your time with your children in Southwark.
See the view from the Shard
Towering over the Southwark skyline, The Shard is hard to miss – and makes for an unforgettable family outing. Take the high-speed elevators up to the triple-level open-air viewing galleries on floors 68, 69 and 72 for jaw-dropping 360-degree panoramic vistas over London’s iconic skyline. On a clear day, you can see up to 40 miles in every direction! Don’t miss stepping out onto the partially outdoor upper deck, or the loo with a view! With the thick reinforced glass walls, it’s an exceptionally safe but extremely memorable way to inspire the imaginations of young adventurers.
Eat your way around the world at Borough Market
No visit to Southwark is complete without wandering the stalls of Borough Market, one of the largest and oldest food markets in London. This historic market offers an exciting culinary journey for young explorers, with vendors from all over the world hawking delicious street food. From pillowy Chinese bao buns to fragrant falafel wraps, gooey raclette cheese, and sweet churros, there’s an endless array of international flavours to discover. If you aren’t ready for a full meal, pick up a doughnut from Bread Ahead to go or a sausage roll from The Ginger Pig.
Check for seasonal events at the Scoop
Be sure to check what’s on at The Scoop, a free outdoor amphitheatre nestled next to the old City Hall building and the Thames. This sunken theatre hosts an ever-changing calendar of family-friendly events and performances throughout the summer months. From live music and dance shows to outdoor movie screenings and interactive workshops, there’s often something fun and eclectic happening at The Scoop that will entertain kids.
Learn about the history of surgery at the Old Operating Theatre Museum
Take a fascinating step back in time at the Old Operating Theatre Museum, one of Southwark’s quirkiest hidden gems. This unique museum is located in the garret of an 18th-century church and contains one of the oldest surviving surgical operating theatres. Grisly medical implements and pathology specimens are on display, giving a glimpse into the primitive practices of Georgian-era medicine. While not for the faint of heart, the museum provides an engaging educational experience by bringing London’s gory surgical history vividly to life in a captivating way for curious young minds.
Enjoy a show at the Unicorn Theatre
For a theatrical experience tailored specifically to young audiences, don’t miss the Unicorn Theatre in Southwark. This charming venue is one of the UK’s leading theatres devoted to innovative, engaging performances and workshops for children of all ages. The award-winning productions range from adaptations of beloved children’s books to original plays that spark imagination and conversation on important issues.
Explore the decks of the HMS Belfast
Let your kids’ imaginations set sail with a visit to the HMS Belfast, an impressive Royal Navy light cruiser ship that served in World War II. Now permanently moored on the River Thames in Southwark, this massive vessel has been transformed into a floating naval museum. As you explore the nine decks with your family, you’ll step back in time and experience what life was like for the crew. Kids can try out bunks, peek into the ship’s operations rooms, and get a sense of the cramped conditions sailors endured.
Enjoy a good scare at the London Bridge Experience or the Clink Prison Museum
Delve into the darker chapters of London’s history at the London Bridge Experience and Tombs. This attraction combines an immersive guided tour and haunting recreation of the city’s ancient burial grounds. The experience begins on London Bridge, where you’ll learn about its gruesome past. From there, you’ll descend into the Tombs – a subterranean labyrinth representing Southwark’s long-forgotten plague pits where thousands were buried in mass graves during the Black Death. Dimly lit, eerie sound effects, and unsettling live actors create a deliciously spine-tingling atmosphere. While potentially too scary for very young children, older kids and teens will get a thrilling kick out of this unique brand of edutainment.
Just around the corner you’ll find the Clink Prison Museum. Located on Clink Street, this fascinating museum recreates life inside Southwark’s notorious Clink Prison, which housed felons, debtors and even hecklers from Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre back in 1144. Kids will get chills learning about brutal punishments like being trapped in tin-can cells or stretched on the rack. While unsettling, it provides an eye-opening educational experience about crime and punishment in medieval times. Make sure to take a picture behind bars before you are released to continue your day!
See an exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum
The Fashion and Textile Museum hosts temporary exhibitions that will educate and captivate older children with an interest in art, design, and culture. This sleek museum hosts exhibitions that explore clothing, textiles, and their impact across history and societies. From displays on iconic designer collections to exhibits on cultural dress traditions, the museum brings fashion and craftsmanship to vivid life.
See world-class art at the White Cube Gallery
For a contemporary art experience, pay a visit to the White Cube Gallery in Southwark. This modern and minimalist exhibition space showcases cutting-edge works by renowned international artists. The open floor plans allow kids to explore the creative sculptures and paintings up close. White Cube offers an inspiring way to expose children to boundary-pushing contemporary pieces.
How do I find all of these places?
Want easy access on the go to all of these ideas? We’ve created a Google Map with everything marked for you:
[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/embed?mid=13ppG24o6xIe90B66v-shZYQJAT8FTbI&ehbc=2E312F&w=640&h=480]Is there something that your kids loved in Southwark that other readers should know about? Let us know in the comments!