You start this walk north of the river just as an easy spot to meet, but after seeing where Dick Whittington is buried, you head over the water to see hidden spots and alleys where Shakespeare and Elizabeth I once trod. Then it’s on to old Southwark, where you see a Victorian chocolate factory, the gates to a medieval prostitute’s cemetery, Octavia Hill cottages, an ancient pub that’s the last of its kind, the spot where Dickens had Mr Pickwick meet Sam Weller, and a hospital which was built by the South Sea Bubble. Then it’s on to old Bermondsey, with its Guinness Trust buildings, missions, tanneries, all of which look much nicer now than they were when built! You also see the oldest pie & mash shop, and the oldest houses remaining in London that were built for the working classes. And then it’s on to the Jacob’s Island of Bill Sikes and nowadays beautifully restored old riverside warehouses, before you head back to London Bridge via amazing views of Tower Bridge and across the river.

Start Walk: Cannon Street Station
Finish Walk: London Bridge Station
Shorter Walk alternative – Start Borough underground station