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Sights · Our pick in London

Southwark Cathedral

Cathedral·Southwark

London’s oldest Gothic church

Southwark Cathedral from across the river
Photo CreditImage courtesy of © The wub · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

About Southwark Cathedral

Southwark Cathedral stands beside London Bridge, where there has been a church for over a thousand years; much of the building dates from the 13th century. Inside is a memorial to William Shakespeare, who worked at the nearby Globe, and his brother Edmund is buried here. It is a peaceful escape from the bustle of Borough Market next door. London Bridge station is a few minutes’ walk away.

Why it's on our list

  • Gothic architecture
  • Shakespeare memorial
  • Next to Borough Market

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Southwark Cathedral before you go.

Hotels nearby

The closest hotels in our guide to Southwark Cathedral, as the crow flies.

  1. Shangri-La The ShardSouthwark · ££££0.2 mi3 min walk
  2. The NedCity of London · ££££0.5 mi11 min walk
  3. Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity SquareCity of London · ££££0.6 mi11 min walk
  4. The DixonLondon Bridge · £££0.6 mi12 min walk
  5. Sea Containers LondonSouth Bank · £££0.7 mi15 min walk

All hotels

What’s nearby

Distances from Southwark Cathedral are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.

Nearest stations

  1. London BridgeJubileeNorthernNational Rail0.2 mi4 min walk
  2. MonumentDistrictCircle0.3 mi7 min walk
  3. Cannon StreetCircleDistrictNational Rail0.4 mi7 min walk

Nearest taxi ranks

  1. Taxi rank, Railway Approach0.1 mi3 min walk
  2. Taxi rank, Bermondsey Street0.3 mi6 min walk

Black cabs can also be hailed in the street: a lit yellow TAXI sign means the cab is available.

Key sights

  1. The Shard0.2 miWalk 3 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 4 min
  2. Tower of London0.6 miWalk 12 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 7 min
  3. London Eye1.3 miWalk 26 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 13 min
  4. Covent Garden1.5 miWalk 30 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 14 min
  5. Trafalgar Square1.7 miWalk 33 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 15 min
  6. Westminster Abbey1.7 miWalk 34 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 16 min
  7. Leicester Square1.8 miWalk 36 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 16 min
  8. The British Museum1.9 miWalk 37 minCycle 12 minCar or taxi 17 min
  9. Buckingham Palace2.3 miCycle 15 minCar or taxi 20 min
  10. Harrods3.2 miCycle 21 minCar or taxi 27 min

Main rail terminals

  1. London Bridge0.2 miWalk 4 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 5 min
  2. Liverpool Street0.9 miWalk 17 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 9 min
  3. Waterloo1.1 miWalk 22 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 11 min
  4. Charing Cross1.6 miWalk 32 minCycle 10 minCar or taxi 15 min
  5. King’s Cross St Pancras2.2 miWalk 45 minCycle 14 minCar or taxi 20 min
  6. St Pancras International (Eurostar)2.4 miCycle 15 minCar or taxi 21 min
  7. Victoria2.4 miCycle 15 minCar or taxi 21 min
  8. Euston2.4 miCycle 16 minCar or taxi 21 min
  9. Paddington3.7 miCycle 24 minCar or taxi 31 min

Location

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