Join me on the Borough Market to Exmouth Market London Walk for a mix of iconic and new architecture, tourist attractions, and more! The first stop is Borough Market for delicious food. Next, you walk over London Bridge to drink in those fantastic views of the City and Canary Wharf. Admiring Tower Bridge, The Monument, and St Paul’s Cathedral is always a pleasure. Then it’s onto The Barbican and up Goswell Road to Exmouth Market with the option to explore Angel as a bonus. I always enjoy the Borough Market to Exmouth Market London Walk, and I hope it will become one of your favourites!
Borough Market to Exmouth Market London Walk Highlights
Borough Market is the first stop; it’s London’s premier food market established in 1756. Travel to London Bridge, exit at Borough High Street, and you will see an entrance to Borough Market. With more than a hundred stalls, restaurants, shops and bars, you are bound to find plenty of food and drink to tempt you. You might want to buy a Monmouth Coffee, croissant or pastry if you are there for breakfast. Head to the Borough Market Kitchen food court at lunchtime, where you can sample street food from various vendors serving Indian, Mexican, Jamaican, Thai, and other cuisines. The current opening times for Borough Market are Monday to Thursday from 10 am until 5 pm, Friday 10 am until 6 pm, Saturday 8 am until 5 pm, and Sunday 10 am until 2 pm.
Borough Yards is an exciting regeneration of Victorian railway viaducts with an Everyman cinema, Paul Smith shop and new restaurants. Look inside Southwark Cathedral if you have time.
When you’ve finished eating at Borough Market, you can walk off your meal. Wander over London Bridge for breathtaking views of London. The right-hand side of the bridge is best because you can have an excellent view of historic Tower Bridge, a Grade I listed bascule and suspension bridge built between 1886 and 1894. It’s the only bridge over the Thames that can be raised to allow tall boats to pass underneath. You can also see the Tower of London and Canary Wharf in the distance. If you look ahead, you will be greeted by the City of London buildings, including the Walkie Talkie, which has the public Sky Gardens with free entry that gives you a 360 view across London’s skyline.
At the end of London Bridge at the junction of Monument Street and Fish Street Hill is The Monument to the Great Fire of London. It was built in 1671-1677 to commemorate the fire and celebrate London’s rebuilding and was designed by Sir Christopher Wren (of St Paul’s Cathedral fame). You can walk up The Monument steps, which are steep and it’s an effort but well worth it for amazing views of London.
Turn left on Cannon Street until you reach St Paul’s Cathedral. You’ll be impressed by Sir Christopher Wren’s domed masterpiece overlooking the River Thames and the Millennium Bridge that leads you to the Tate Modern. The cathedral has a grade I listing, and the present structure dates back to the late 17th century. You can admire this magnificent cathedral from the outside or take a guided tour. Also, explore the Churchyard, which is pretty and peaceful.
Walk along with New Change, St Martin’s Grand and Aldersgate Street and you will see the Museum of London. The Museum is well worth exploring if you are interested in the history and culture of the city. Permanent galleries from BC through to modern times can be enjoyed by all ages. The Museum is open from Wednesdays to Sundays, and it will be moving to West Smithfield during 2024-202.
Nearby is the Barbican, comprising the brutalist Barbican Estate and Centre with concert halls, theatres, cinema, galleries, eateries and more. The residential estate consists of housing in concrete towers with a Grade II listing.
Walk up Goswell Road, where you will see some office furniture and interior trade showrooms such as Knoll. I like Breddos Tacos Clerkenwell (above), Goswell Road Coffee and Kennedys Fish and Chips on Goswell Road.
At Goswell Road and Islington High Street, turn left and make your way to Exmouth Market. You will find a car-free street with restaurants and a few other shops. Eateries include Caravan, Moro, Morito, Shawarma Bar by Berber and Q and more. In the summer, it’s an excellent spot for alfresco dining.
Alternatively, you will reach Angel station if you turn right at Goswell Road and Islington High Street. From here, you can explore Upper Street (boutiques, lifestyle shops and restaurants), Camden Passage (antiques and independent shops) and Islington Square (shops and eateries in a former postal office).
Borough Market to Exmouth Market London Walk Information
There are various routes to get you from Borough Market to Exmouth Market. Another option is over Blackfriars Bridge through Farringdon, where you can explore Leather Lane Market, Hatton Gardens and Smithfield Market if you want. We walked that route back home afterwards. Google Maps says the walk will take about 45 minutes, but it took us much longer because I wanted to take pictures. You will need to allow additional time for eating and stopping off along the route to pop into a museum or go inside St Paul’s.
I’ve written various articles that may interest you should you wish to investigate further. Enjoy the walk!
The Borough Market Kitchen Food Court
Amazing London Views From Inside Tower Bridge
Ten Things To Do In London Bridge
Enjoy The Monument London Panoramic Views
Walkie Talkie Sky Garden Views London
The Museum Of London Captures The Capital
Breddos Tacos Goswell Road Clerkenwell
Ten Thing To Do In Angel Islington London
Ten Reasons To Visit Islington Square London
Berber and Q Shawarma Bar Exmouth Market
Morito Tapas Bar Exmouth Market London
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London.
