Best Things to Do and Attractions Near Tate Modern

Tate Modern is primarily known for the artwork inside but what a few people don’t know is that it’s location is just absolutely perfect for exploring! There’s a bunch of attractions and things to do just nearby that should be on every tourist and local’s London itinerary. Check out my picks for the best things to do nearby for when you’re visiting the Tate!

My Picks for the Best Things to do Near Tate Modern

The Shard

The Shard is easily one of of the best attractions near Tate Modern, for me at least. To keep it short it’s a tall building to enter with a bunch of bars and restaurants inside, that are all gorgeously designed to complement the skyline views of London. Tourists can experience London like never before with the unmatched 360 degree views from the viewing gallery atop The Shard, which spans up to 40 miles. The view from the shard allows you to see far out to even Tower Bridge and Tower of London!

What’s cool is, even at street level The Shard is just amazing to look at. The building has a unique glass facade that reflects the surrounding cityscape and the sky’s shifting colors, producing an amazing visual effect.

📍32 London Bridge St, London SE1 9SG, United Kingdom

Borough Market

If you’re walking around the river, I highly suggest taking a break at a local market that is widely considered to be one of the city’s most iconic places. The Borough market near London Bridge provides a large selection of handcrafted, premium foods, such as prepared foods, specialty items, fresh organic produce, and international cuisine. If you’re craving something, chances are this spot probably has it.

A charitable trust oversees Borough Market on behalf of the local community, and its goal is to encourage the production and sale of food that is healthier for the environment, people, and the enjoyment of eating. There’s food being cooked in almost every step you take, and you could just smell the flavour being prepared. You’ll need an iron will to resist the what the most-visited market has to offer.

📍London SE1 9AL, United Kingdom

Clink Prison Museum

British museums are truly unique as this museum is built on the original site of the oldest and most notorious prison in History. If you’re looking for the more dark parts of the history of London, then head on over to Clink Street for a tour that would surely keep you interested!

Visitors can immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and even smells of the prison through the museum’s immersive exhibits. In addition to learning about the stories of suffering and misfortunes of the prisoners, visitors can operate torture devices and examine artifacts from the archaeology site.The history buffs I went here with absolutely loved their time here and would stop around every 5 minutes to explain to us how this piece of equipment was used by Londoners before to do this and that.

📍London SE1 9AL, United Kingdom

Shakespeare’s Globe

Shakespeare’s plays were originally performed in an outdoor, authentic setting, much like the 360° auditorium known as the Globe Theatre, which has no roof over the central yard. Shakespeare’s plays are brought to life in a variety of productions at the theater, including ones by The Royal Shakespeare Company. With everything from modern adaptations to classic Shakespearean plays, there is something for everyone to enjoy in the wide variety of performances.

Oh, not a lot of people know this but this spot actually hosts a lot of workshops and tours, so if you’re interested I highly suggest checking out their website and see what works for you!

📍21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT, United Kingdom

Tate Modern

Of course we can’t have a list about the things to do near Tate Modern without actually considering going inside the Tate Modern itself. Part of the Tate charm and attraction is because of the numerous exhibits they have like the Porcelain Sunflower Seeds, The Turbine Hall, and more! For art enthusiasts and guests of all ages, the museum’s distinctive method of showcasing its collections—which are divided into abstract themes rather than historical periods—offers an immersive and captivating experience.

It’s also cool this was once a disused Power Station now commissioned to be one of the UK’s best art galleries. Also, not a lot of people actually know this but there’s actually a terrace bar at the top, and although it’s not exactly the ‘sky garden’ level of views, nothing feels more sophisticated than talking about art, looking at the skyline, with wine in hand.

📍Bankside, London SE1 9TG, United Kingdom

Millennium Bridge

We’re straying a bit further away from the bankside power station of Tate Britain but trust me it is so worth it, plus, it’s just a short walk away! For over a century, the Millennium Bridge has been the first pedestrian suspension bridge spanning the River Thames. Its construction and distinctive design establish it as a representation of London’s engineering prowess and inventiveness at the start of the twenty-first century.

I think every tourist should experience walking along this bridge during the nighttime as you’re greeted with the lights and views of the city skyline and various attractions across the city and along the Thames. It’s certainly an underrated spot to snap a few pics of St. Paul’s Cathedral.  Although the London transport system is well and good, walking on this bridge is, in my opinion, far better if you want to cross to the other side.

📍Thames Embankment, London EC4V 3QH, United Kingdom

Southwark Cathedral

The cathedral is a magnificent example of medieval architecture, with a Gothic style that distinguishes it as the first church in London, and a stunning 13th-century vaulted retrochoir. In fact it’s the oldest church building in the city and has been a place of worship for literally thousands of years.

William Shakespeare had a close relationship with Southwark Cathedral because it was his parish church and he attended services there while he resided close to the Globe Theatre. Shakespeare is memorialized in the cathedral with a statue and a Shakespeare Memorial Window, honoring the playwright’s connection to the church.

📍London Bridge, London SE1 9DA, United Kingdom

SouthBank Centre

With a variety of cultural attractions like the Purcell Room, National Poetry Library, Hayward Gallery, Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Arts Council Collection, the Southbank Centre is the largest arts center in the United Kingdom.

Alternatively you could also take a walk outside and enjoy the nearby market or the other restaurants near the centre. This was especially convenient for us when we managed to spend a couple of hours exploring South Bank and wanted a place to relax and enjoy some traditional tea or British fare. There is absolutely no shortage of things to do when you’re nearby – you’ve got lunchtime hotspots in every corner and the nearby Waterloo ready for your plans!

📍GV4M+6J, London SE1 8XX, United Kingdom

The London Eye

You’ve probably seen this one in every pamphlet or magazine column about London, it’s either The Eye or Buckingham Palace but this one, I’d argue is a bit more famous. Simply put, it’s a massive Ferris wheel, that offers the complete unobstructed view of the city. I mean Tripadvisor ratings don’t lie when it says how many people actually go here, it’s been the site to thousands of proposals and welcomes over three million visitors annually.

I know this isn’t exactly super close to Tate Modern, but not only is it worth it, it’s just a short transit away. This is a spot that should be experienced by literally everyone! Especially during nighttime where the lights from the skyscrapers and the London bridge glow super bright and the waves and flow of the river could be heard. It is a serene and relaxing place ideal for tourists and locals alike!

📍Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom

Golden Hinde

The Golden Hinde, the first English ship to circumnavigate the globe, is a full-scale replica of Sir Francis Drake’s flagship from the sixteenth century. Visitors can experience the historical significance of the ship’s voyages and sail through this one-of-a-kind opportunity to travel back in time.

It’s also cool how they have crew members on deck to help with explaining a lot of the ship’s maritime history. I never thought how much of an impact this ship had when it circled the world but the most impressive thing about it is that it actually came back in mostly one piece!

📍St Mary Overie’s Dock, Cathedral St, London SE1 9DE, United Kingdom

HMS Belfast

Built as a Town-class light cruiser for the Royal Navy, HMS Belfast is currently permanently docked on London’s River Thames wharf as a museum ship. This was actually my first time entering a ship and since I’m not exactly the best swimmer, at first the waves that made the ship wobble was frightening but later it added to the immersion of the experience, and how this place actually operated during its time.

I was especially surprised to find out that this spot has its own bakery and that we were actually allowed to visit its control room and engine room, but with supervision of course, wouldn’t want some random guy to actually steer the thing.

📍The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2JH, United Kingdom

Africa Centre

The best thing about the Africa Centre in London is that it serves as a hub for the African community and culture, providing a friendly and inviting environment for Africans living in the UK as well as anyone interested in African history and culture. In addition to offering educational opportunities and a platform for networking and supporting Africa and its overseas communities, the center offers genuine African cultural experiences.

Somehow we met some of the most amazing people here and we were endlessly fascinated by the artwork on display and how welcoming the staff were. They were super eager to teach us about their culture.

📍The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2JH, United Kingdom

Looking for More Guides?

The area around Tate Modern is one of the liveliest and busiest streets in London so you best believe there are still a LOT more of things to do around this area. Don’t worry we’ve got you covered with our guides on how to navigate the best attractions in almost every part of the city!