I love Southwark and Borough. Of course the market is amazing - I do plan on doing a "best of Borough Market" post at some stage (which will definitely include the chorizo burgers - oh yeah) - but I really like wandering around the quiet streets between Southwark, Borough and London Bridge stations. I only discovered Copperfield St (pictured) recently and it is so cute - tiny little houses, almost hobbit-like, opposite an atmospherically spooky church yard. I spotted the run-down
wooden-shuttered building in the other photo just round the corner in Great Guildford St - isn't it a beauty? There are spots like this all over Southwark, you can really immerse yourself in "old London" here. Southwark was a place of illicit delights in the 17th century - where Londoners would come to escape the moral confines of the city and a frisson of that vibe remains. Any of you who have been clubbing under the arches of London Bridge station will agree I'm sure... The cathedral is magnificent and has the most amazing statues. I could easily live in Southwark and have often thought how nice it would be do wander to the market early on a Saturday morning to do your weekly grocery shop. So if you haven't already, take some time to wander around Southwark and Borough - it's a hidden gem.
wooden-shuttered building in the other photo just round the corner in Great Guildford St - isn't it a beauty? There are spots like this all over Southwark, you can really immerse yourself in "old London" here. Southwark was a place of illicit delights in the 17th century - where Londoners would come to escape the moral confines of the city and a frisson of that vibe remains. Any of you who have been clubbing under the arches of London Bridge station will agree I'm sure... The cathedral is magnificent and has the most amazing statues. I could easily live in Southwark and have often thought how nice it would be do wander to the market early on a Saturday morning to do your weekly grocery shop. So if you haven't already, take some time to wander around Southwark and Borough - it's a hidden gem.
If you're at all interested in real ale, it's also worth taking a look at the Kernel Brewery, which lives under the arches on Druid Street. They have a website at http://www.thekernelbrewery.com/ and are open on Saturdays for people to come and sample and buy their bottled beers.
ReplyDeletePerhaps also worth pointing out that Borough Market isn't the only market in SE1 — there's also the relatively-recently-started Bermondsey Farmers' Market on Bermondsey Square: http://london.randomness.org.uk/wiki.cgi?Bermondsey_Farmers%27_Market
Oh! And the Kirkaldy Testing Museum is another hidden gem:http://london.randomness.org.uk/wiki.cgi?Kirkaldy_Testing_Museum
ReplyDeleteOnly open on the first Sunday of the month though.
Thanks Kake - I will check out the brewery and the museum. Love the websites/blogs by the way.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! And thank you for the kind words about RGL :)
ReplyDeleteI shall take you for a drink one day to the King's Arms on Roupell St SE1 - very 'Copperfield' St
ReplyDeleteBest
Mat S
I'll take you up on that Matt! Also a fan of Roupell St.
ReplyDeleteI have just come across your bog and love it. We share the same fascinations. I live in the Borough and there are so many cool places that get ignored because they are on the wrong side of the tracks, so to speak. Have you been to the Boot and Flogger in Redcross way (very close to the Ragged School in your photo? Also Redcross Gardens, Mint St park, El Vergel...too many more to mention..
ReplyDeleteThanks Martin - I have not been to the Boot & Flogger but I will make a point of checking it out. Thanks for all your tips - can't wait to get back to Southwark and do some more exploring!
ReplyDelete