One spot very popular with visitors as well as locals, is the South Bank of the Thames River. And there is plenty to see as well in terms of cultural institutions among a host of other attractions to be found in the area. It is regarded as being among the city’s top cultural hotspots and is always abuzz with activity. It is just a short stroll away from two of the city’s most prominent iconic buildings viz. St. Paul’s Cathedral and the House of Parliament.
If you are coming to London then it must form a part of your travel itinerary. To have a really enjoyable holiday it is recommended to stay at any of the hotels near Oxford Street London, which are well connected to the major attractions in Central London.
And one of the best boutique hotels to stay is the Marble Arch London Hotel, whichapart from providing top notch facilities and amenities is also competitivelypriced. And it is at a convenient distance from the Southbank area, where you could visit the following attractions:
The Southbank Centre: One of the most well known and celebrated cultural centres in Great Britain, the Southbank Centre is a venue for a host of art elated events and programmes. It also houses numerous venues which host variety shows, theatrical and musical performances, educational programs and festivals etc. The centre also is involved in the management of the Arts Council Collection and organising a number of exhibitions that tour the country. The Southbank Centre offers a platform both for professionals and upcoming artists to exhibit their talents.
The EDF Energy London Eye: The London Eye is one of the newer landmarks of the city having been built to celebrate the dawn of the New Millennium in 2000. Since then, it has become one of the most prominent symbols of the city and is recognised the world over. It stands on the banks of the River Thames and is an impressive 135 metres in length (at the time of its construction it was the biggest Ferris wheel in Europe). Its distinctive cantilevered design that resembles a bicycle wheel is visible from most parts of central London. A marvel of modern engineering, its aesthetic design and magnificent views from its glass pods make is one of the most visited tourist attractions in London. Because of the large number of visitors it is advised to book your tickets in advance.
The Royal National Theatre: London is well known for its fabulous and historic theatres with the Royal National Theatre playing a vital role, since the time of its inception at the Old Vic. It later moved to its present location and houses three massive auditoriums that feature an eclectic variety of theatre productions. These range from the classics to contemporary theatre shows. It is publicly funded and conducts a variety of public events all through the year, which include exhibitions, educational workshops etc.
The Old Vic Theatre: One of the most historically significant theatre venues in London, the Old Vic is a very popular attraction for theatre lovers. It has been the venue where some of the biggest names in the theatre world have performed, with the likes of Sir Laurence Olivier, Peter O’Toole and Dame Judi Dench among other thespian greats having performed. In 2013, the theatre celebrated its 195th anniversary with a host of theatre performance tours organised to commemorate the occasion. It is out of the oldest theatres in the world and also one of the most famous.
Tate Modern: The Tate Modern is housed in a building that was the former home of the Bankside Power Station. It was completely renovated before the Tate Modern moved into the space in 2000. Although geographically speaking the gallery is on Bankside and not the South Bank but that does deter visitors from making a beeline to the Tate Modern, when in the Southbank area. It serves as the country’s national gallery for international modern art. It is a massive edifice with its spacious Turbine Hall being the focal point for exhibiting its massive collection of art from across the world. Apart from its permanent collection it also regularly organises a number of temporary exhibitions.
Jubilee Gardens: From the time it was constructed in 1951, to celebrate the Festival of Britain the place has undergone numerous changes over the years. Surprisingly the area was converted to a car park later and remained so until it was revived and transformed in 1977 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee as monarch. In the last few years with an increase in the popularity of the Southbank area there have been several external changes to Jubilee Gardens. It provides a number of facilities for public and community use in the area.
BFI Southbank: Located close to London’s IMAX Cinema, it is managed by the BFI (British Film Institute) and is run as a charity based organisation. It opened to the public in 1933 and plays a prominent role in the arts and cultural scene of the city. It also is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of numerous cultural institutions across the city. The BFI hosts the famous London Film Festival along with the Future Film Festival among other movie related events. Some of the prominent events include movie premieres, red carpet screenings, previews, documentary shows etc. With four screen cinemas, a fantastic film store and massive movie library it is a haven for movie enthusiasts.
Oxo Tower Wharf: It was constructed in 1930 and since then has served various purposes and businesses over the years. Now it is home to designer studios as well a number of eateries and retail stores. Within the massive building there is the Bargehouse that is used as an exhibition hall to showcase the works of established as well as upcoming artists on a regular basis. It also hosts events to aid a number of charity organisations in London.
Tips for kiwi expats to London
