London: Borough & Bankside Walking Tour with Shakespeare

Summary

Wander london’s borough for shakespeare pubs prisons and market tales

You’ll wander London’s Borough & Bankside with a local guide, hearing stories about Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, old prisons like Marshalsea and Clink, and the bustling thousand-year-old Borough Market. Expect laughter, odd facts you won’t forget soon, and small sensory moments—from church bells to fresh bread—that make history feel close.

What’s the experience like?

We were already weaving through the backstreets behind Borough Station when our guide, Tom, started in with this glint in his eye—“You’re standing where geese once ruled the night.” I thought he meant actual birds (I was wrong). The air smelled faintly like hops from some brewery around the corner, and there was this low hum from the traffic that never really stops in Southwark. We stopped by what’s left of Marshalsea Prison—just a wall now, but Tom told us Dickens’ father was locked up there. I leaned against the cold brick and tried to picture it. Couldn’t quite manage it, honestly.

Walking past Southwark Cathedral, bells chimed out and made everyone pause for a second—one of those moments you don’t expect to feel anything, but you do. There’s this graveyard nearby where thousands of “outcast dead” are buried. It’s not exactly cheerful but somehow doesn’t feel heavy either; maybe because people are still laughing and chatting as they pass by. At Borough Market, the smell of cheese hit me before I even saw the stalls. One guy selling bread winked at us like we were regulars—I bought a roll just because I felt like I had to.

The Clink Prison Museum is tucked away down an alley that smells like wet stone (not my favorite scent). Tom kept tossing out these wild facts about medieval punishments—he clearly loves this stuff more than is probably healthy. Then suddenly we’re outside Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, both old site and new one across the street. Sun broke through for a minute right then—felt almost staged but wasn’t. Someone in our group tried quoting Hamlet and flubbed it; everyone laughed except maybe two tourists who looked confused. So yeah, if you’re into stories that aren’t always neat or pretty (and don’t mind a bit of London drizzle), this walking tour around Borough & Bankside is worth your feet getting tired.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore London's historic Borough and Bankside

• Start outside Borough Station
• Visit Marshalsea Prison remains
• See Southwark's outcast burial site
• Explore Southwark Cathedral
• Walk through Borough Market
• View medieval palace remains
• Visit Clink Prison site
• See Shakespeare's Globe Theatre reconstruction
• Pass London Bridge
• End near London Bridge Station

Top questions

How long is the Borough & Bankside walking tour?

The tour lasts about two hours from start to finish.

Where does the walking tour begin and end?

The tour starts outside Borough Station and ends near London Bridge Station.

What attractions are included on this London walking tour?

You’ll see Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (old and new), Clink Prison Museum site, Southwark Cathedral, Borough Market, remains of Marshalsea Prison, and more.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels; total distance is about two miles.

How many people are on each walking tour?

Ticket sales are limited to fifteen attendees per group.

Does the tour include entry fees or just outside visits?

The focus is on outdoor sites; entry fees aren’t included unless specified by your guide on the day.

Is public transportation nearby after the tour ends?

Yes—London Bridge Station is close to where the walk finishes.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided small-group walking tour led by a local expert through London’s historic Borough & Bankside neighborhoods—with stories at each stop from Shakespeare’s Globe to Borough Market—and easy access via public transport at both start and finish points.