London Bridge Area Guide

The area of London Bridge is a stretch of the Thames's southern bank between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. More than just a commuter hub, it encompasses City Hall, the HMS Belfast and Potter's Field, and the many nearby theatres and museums ensure that there is always plenty of things to do. The best restaurants are often tucked away from the busiest streets, but it's worth having a look for them. And as is expected of any London business district worth its salt, there are plenty of bars and pubs for thirsty workers and tourists. Some of the most renowned amenities include the premium restaurants, retail and hotels, as well as The View from The Shard at London Bridge Quarter, the world-famous Borough Market, the plethora of galleries, museums, restaurants and bars of Bermondsey Street, Hayes Galleria, restaurants at More London, HMS Belfast, as well as the Tate, Shakespeare's Globe, Tower Bridge and The Tower of London. Not only is it the centre of arts and culture, London Bridge also boasts unrivalled travel links for getting around London and for getting further afield. With a concentration of Underground and Rail stations in the area, visitors and residents alike will have no issues with travelling to and from London Bridge.

One cannot describe London Bridge accurately without mentioning the Bridge itself, which is steeped in history. London Bridge, in fact, refers to several historical bridges that have spanned the River Thames between the City of London and Southwark, in central London. The current crossing, which opened to traffic in 1973, is a box girder bridge built from concrete and steel. This replaced a 19th-century stone-arched bridge, which in turn superseded a 600-year-old medieval structure. This was preceded by a succession of timber bridges, the first built by the Roman founders of London.

The current bridge stands at the western end of the Pool of London but is positioned 30 metres (98 ft) upstream from previous alignments. The traditional ends of the medieval bridge were marked by St Magnus-the-Martyr on the northern bank and Southwark Cathedral on the southern shore. Until Putney Bridge opened in 1729, London Bridge was the only road-crossing of the Thames downstream of Kingston-upon-Thames.

There are few areas of London which can boast both a huge cultural significance as well as a history dating back to the Romans. London Bridge is as London as London can be, making a perfect area to live.