I’ve listed my ten reasons to visit Spa Terminus in London SE15. Known for its food and drink businesses, including Neal’s Yard Dairy and Maltby & Greek, locals flock there on Fridays and Saturdays (some at other times, so check each business) when these purveyors of fine foods open their doors to the public. With a few places to eat and drink, such as Monmouth Coffee, Dockley Road Kitchen and The Kernel Brewery, it’s a great place to hang out with friends. Most businesses are housed in railway arches, alongside a newer purpose-built set of retail units with apartments above. If you’re looking for seasonal produce, foodie places in London, or things to do in Bermondsey, a visit to Spa Terminus is well worth it.
My list includes the following, in a logical rather than priority order:
1. Enjoy morning caffeine and croissants at Monmouth Coffee
2. Pick up a freshly baked loaf from Little Bread Pedlar
3. Savour ingredient-led plates at Dockley Road Kitchen
4. Pair beer with Japanese small plates at The Kernel Brewery
5. Choose your favourite cheeses from the top cheese mongers
6. Buy seasonal fruit and veg from reliable suppliers
7. Seek out foraged food at The Wild Room
8. Get your breakfast sorted at Husk and Honey
9. Treat yourself to a jar of jam at England Preserves
10. Stop by Ice Cream Union for a cone
My Favourite Things To Do In Spa Terminus
- Enjoy morning caffeine and croissants at Monmouth Coffee. This large coffee shop is perfect for picking up a bag of freshly roasted coffee beans. Alternatively, you can purchase a cup of coffee and a pastry and sit at the communal table or grab one of the benches outside. You’ll find them at 3 & 4 Dockley Road. Tea2You is an alternative if you prefer a supreme cuppa at 136 Spa Road,
Dockley Estate.
2. Pick up a freshly baked loaf from Little Bread Pedlar. You’ll see a queue of locals waiting for their naturally leavened sourdough, soda bread and baguettes. Check out the pastries, from kouign amann to cardamom and orange buns and hazelnut chocolatines. They are located at Arch 5, Spa Estate.
3. Savour ingredient-led plates at Dockley Road Kitchen. They serve breakfast and small plates on weekends; on certain days, they also offer lunch and dinner. The food is centred on ingredients from suppliers at Spa Terminus. You’ll find them at 1 Dockley Road.
4. Pair beer with Japanese small plates at The Kernel Brewery. Known for their pale ales, dark ales, fermented beers and lagers, The Kernel Brewery also offers Japanese food from Yagi Izakaya. This laid-back bar is a neighbourhood favourite. Head to 132 Spa Road.
5. Choose your favourite cheeses from the top cheese mongers. You’re spoilt for choice with British and Irish selections at Neal’s Yard Dairy, a British and continental offering at Mons Cheesemongers, raw-milk alternatives at Kappacasein, Swiss choices at Kaseswiss, Italian options at The Ham & Cheese Co and Greek varieties at Maltby & Greek.
6. Buy seasonal fruit and veg from reliable suppliers. If you want amazing-tasting salad, vegetables and fruit, you’ll find seasonal varieties at Natoora and Spa Terminus Greengrocers. Their produce might feel expensive, but believe me when I say you won’t regret buying from either place.
7. Seek out foraged food at The Wild Room. From wild garlic to alien-looking mushrooms, luxury truffles and other foodie delights, you should pop along to Arch 18, Apollo Estate, even if it’s just to sniff those truffles or admire the mushroom varieties.
8. Get your breakfast sorted at Husk and Honey. Whether you love granola or porridge, you’ll find the best here. With total transparency and historic methods in growing and preparation, breakfast has never tasted so good. Choose from granola varieties such as honey with roasted almonds, oats with nuts, quinoa with buckwheat, or chai-spiced mulberry. Find them at Arch 9, Discovery Estate.
9. Treat yourself to a jar of jam at England Preserves. If you love jam or marmalade, you really do need to check out the superb selection here, from Bermondsey bramble to gooseberry and elderflower. By working with local farmers and keeping sugar levels low, England Preserves offers a pleasure you can indulge in time and again.
10. Stop by Ice Cream Union for a cone. On our last visit, we treated ourselves to delicious ice cream. They also serve sorbets. You can buy a single cup or cone, or a tub to take home and freeze. They have the best flavours, think blood orange, banana split, or tiramisu. Honestly, you have to try. Make sure you visit them at Arch 1, Discovery Estate.
Helpful Information About Spa Terminus Bermondsey
Then there’s the rest. This is my top ten, but I’m a vegetarian, so I’ve missed quite a lot out. Those of you who love fish or meat will want to check out the likes of Farmer Tom Jones, known for native-breed meat; The Fresh Fish Shop for South Coast and Scottish Coast seafood; and cured and smoked meats at London Smoke & Cure. I’m not a big wine drinker, but I know that Dynamic Wines is the place to go for low-intervention vino. For the full list of suppliers, go to the Spa Terminus website.
The businesses are spread across a few ‘estates’, so make sure you check out: Voyager Estate, Spa Estate, Dockley Estate, Discovery Estate, and Apollo Estate. The nearest stations are Bermondsey and London Bridge. The best time to visit is Saturday morning.
Nearby, you’ll find Maltby Street Market, a street food market located at Rope Walk off Maltby Street. It’s open regularly at weekends during the day. The Bermondsey Beer Mile is also in the area.
If you want to explore the area, you may find these articles of interest:
Maltby Street Market Rope Walk
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. To avoid disappointment, please check that the places I referenced in this article are still in business before you visit.