Historic Architecture

Southwark contains many beautiful examples of pre-20th century architecture. Although many areas were bombed during the Second World War, a number of historically and architecturally significant buildings remain.



SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL – Montague Close SE1 Tel: 020 7367 6700
London Bridge London Bridge 21 35 40 47 P3 P11
Southwark Cathedral is the oldest Gothic church in London. It was built on the site of an Augustinian priory in the early 13th century. The history of Southwark and England is reflected in the alterations and repairs made to the building over the centuries – from Cardinal Beaufort’s coat of arms engraved in the south transept, to the John Harvard Chapel. The first Bishop was enthroned in 1905.

A £10 million Millennium development on the north/river side of the cathedral has recreated the effect of the monastic cloisters which once stood here. Built using both modern and traditional materials it has won several architectural awards. The buildings house conference/meeting rooms, shop, refectory, and education centre. www.southwark.anglican.org/cathedral

WINCHESTER PALACE Clink Street SE1
London Bridge London Bridge 21 35 40 47 P3 P11
Winchester Palace, completed in the 1140s, was the London residence of the Bishop of Winchester for over 500 years. Many important visitors were entertained here – King James I held his wedding banquet at the Palace. It was used as a prison from 1649 to 1660 and was then leased for housing. Destroyed by fire in 1814, now only the west wall with its 14th century Rose Window survives.

BUTLER’S WHARF SE1
Bermondsey, Tower Hill London Bridge 47 188 P11
Amongst the finely restored warehouses of Butlers Wharf you will find some fine examples of late 20th Century architecture. Street and wharves are named after the spices they stored. The scent of cinnamon, cayenne and nutmeg can still be smelt on warm evenings. Look out for the Design Museum, The Tom Blau Gallery, The David Mellor building, The Circle and Horselydown Square – fine examples of new modern buildings that compliment their older neighbours.

OLD OPERATING THEATRE MUSEUM AND HERB GARRET 9a St Thomas Street SE1 Tel: 020 7955 4791
London Bridge London Bridge 21 35 40 47 P3
This museum has many exhibits illustrating the history of medicine at St Thomas’ and Guy’s hospitals, two of London’s pioneering hospitals. Housed in the church tower that was part of St Thomas’ Hospital, the Operating Theatre was used to perform surgery without anaesthetic! The Herb Garret in the roof of the building was used to store and mix herbs for medicines.
www.thegarret.org.uk

Bridges, especially London Bridge, form an important part of Southwark’s history and folklore. Southwark began and flourished here because of London Bridge. The addition of other bridges across the Thames and inland rivers has helped to enrich life in Southwark even further.


LONDON BRIDGE SE1
London Bridge London Bridge 21 35 40 47 P11
From Roman times until 1751, London Bridge was the only bridge across the Thames at London. It was crossed by everyone, from ordinary citizens to victorious kings. Between 1305 and 1661 the heads of traitors were displayed above the gatehouse – one year as many as 30 were seen! The bridge has taken many forms and was lined with shops and houses until 1762. The present bridge was completed in 1972 and is slightly upstream of the original site.

TOWER BRIDGE SE1
Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Bermondsey London Bridge 42 47 78 188 P11
Tower Bridge is the most easily recognised of London’s bridges. Opened in 1894, its double drawbridge allows tall ships into the Pool of London. The two drawbridges are so heavy that the supporting towers are made from steel encased in stone. The top walkways give panoramic views of London, and the towers house a museum about the history, building and operation of the bridge.

SOUTHWARK BRIDGE SE1
London Bridge, Cannon Street London Bridge, Cannon Street P11
Southwark Bridge was first built in 1819. The original design with 3 arches was made from cast iron and had a central span of 73 metres – the largest ever made from this material. The present bridge was completed in 1921. There is a stone frieze in the underpass showing scenes from Southwark’s past including Elizabethan theatres, fairs and the printing industry.

ST SAVIOUR’S BRIDGE St Saviour’s Dock SE1
Bermondsey, Tower Hill London Bridge 47 188 P11
St Saviour’s Bridge spans St Saviour’s Dock which was originally the mouth of one of London’s ‘lost rivers’, the river Neckinger. The bridge is a stainless steel and timber footbridge that swings opens to allow small boats into the wharf. Designed by Nicholas Lacey Jobst, it won a Royal Institute of British Architects Award in 1997, and it is one of the highlights of the Thames Path walk.

Contact

Regeneration department
Tel: 020 7525 5402
Council offices
Chiltern
Portland Street
London
SE17 2ES
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm