London Walk: Borough Market to Battersea Park Walk. This route takes you past major tourist attractions along Bankside, the South Bank through Lambeth, Vauxhall and into Battersea Park. The Borough Market to Battersea Park Walk is perfect for anyone wanting to do a half day London walk without a tour guide.
Borough Market To Battersea Park Walk Start
Borough Market
Travel to London Bridge or Borough Station and make your way to the world-famous Borough Market. The market sells heaps of street food, cakes, bread, fruit, veg, seafood and more. This is a great place to buy your lunch and wander towards the Golden Hinde galleon and eat your food by the River Thames. The market is closed on Sunday and limited on Monday and Tuesday so the best day to do this walk is Wednesday to Saturday. Read my Borough Market Review for more information.
Borough Market To Battersea Park Walk 30 Highlights
1. Borough Market: Historic food market selling fresh fruit, veg, cheese, bread, cakes, coffee, street food and more.
2. Southwark Cathedral: Stunning gothic cathedral overlooking Borough Market with beautiful grounds referenced in the Domesday Book of 1086.
3. Golden Hinde: Head down Cathedral Street to St Mary Overie’s Dock where you will see the galleon which sailed around the globe during 1577-1580 with Sir Francis Drake in charge.
4. The Clink Prison Museum: On Clink Street, you can discover more about this 12th-century prison which was owned by the Bishop of Winchester.
5. Winchester Palace Ruins: Next to the Prison Museum you can see the ruins of the Bishop of Winchester’s townhouse.
Winchester Palace Ruins
6. River Thames: Continue on past the bright red Anchor historic pub and you will reach the River Thames which you will follow for most of this journey.
7. Shakespeare’s Globe: Reconstruction of the William Shakespeare Elizabethan playhouse where you can enjoy a performance in an open-air theatre and dine at The Swan Pub and Restaurant next door.
Shakespeare’s Globe
8. St Paul’s Cathedral: You will see the Millennium Bridge and if you look to the opposite side of the Thames River you can see St Paul’s Cathedral.
9. Tate Modern: Enormous art gallery set in a former industrial building which houses International modern and contemporary art, which is free to visit, except for special exhibitions.
10. OXO Tower: Iconic building which now houses apartments and designer-maker brands along with galleries and cafes.
Oxo Tower
11. Bernie Spain Gardens: Community green space which often has small festivals open to the public.
12. Gabriel’s Wharf: Lovely enclave of independent shops, cafes and restaurants.
13. National Theatre: World-class theatre staging diverse productions.
14. Southbank Centre Book Market: Located under Waterloo Bridge you will discover old classic books, antique maps, prints and more.
Southbank Centre Book Market
15. Southbank Centre: Collection of cultural buildings including Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and Haywood Gallery. You can see plays at the theatres, music performances, art exhibitions and more. In the summer you can visit the open-air Concrete Garden at Queen Elizabeth Hall.
16. Southbank Skate Space: The underbelly of the Southbank Centre is home to skateboards where you can take pictures of the colourful graffiti.
Southbank Skate Space
17. Jubilee Gardens: Sit down and relax in the gardens near the London Eye.
18. Coca-Cola London Eye: Gigantic cantilevered observation wheel with glass pods for fabulous views of London.
19. The London Dungeons: Recreation of London’s gory history performed by actors and a wealth of special effects.
20. Shrek’s Adventure: Family attraction based on the popular Shrek movie.
Shrek’s Adventure
21. Sea Life Centre and London Aquarium: Extensive aquarium where you can marvel at fish, sharks and sea creatures.
22. Lambeth Palace: Official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury which you can visit via a tour or view the garden which is only open once per month during April and September.
23. Garden Museum: Find out more about British gardens in this former church with a café and restaurant attached.
24. House of Parliament and Big Ben: Look across to the other side of the river where you will see the impressive Houses of Parliament and the famous Big Ben clock.
Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
25. Albert Embankment: Path by the River Thames which stretches from Westminster Bridge to Vauxhall Bridge for a mile.
26. Riverside Walk: After Vauxhall Bridge, you are on the Riverside Walk which is still by the Thames River. However, as there are new apartments being built there may be some diversions where you have to walk by the road. At the moment you continue along Nine Elms Lane.
27. New Covent Garden Market: On Nine Elms Lane you will go past the large flower, fruit and veg wholesale market.
28. Battersea Power Station: You can’t miss the iconic Battersea Power Station which is currently being transformed into apartments and retail space with shops, cafes and restaurants.
Battersea Power Station
29. Battersea Dogs and Cats Home: The famous charity for pets is located here.
30. Battersea Park: Your final destination is the beautiful Battersea park!
Borough Market To Battersea Park Walk End
Battersea Park
Battersea Park is a great place to finish this walk because you can head straight to one of the cafes where you can buy refreshments and use the toilets! The park is Grade II* listed in the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens by the English Heritage. It covers 200 acres and is situated on the River Thames. You can explore various gardens – Herb, English and Rose Gardens. There is a boating lake, a small zoo, sculptures, gallery and cafes. The nearest station is Battersea Park for your return journey. I hope you enjoy your walk.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. Thanks: Homeboy, Vicky and Rich for the walk.
