Southwark - A week in London - 8
Sat, Sept. 6, 2025 - Southwark
After a good breakfast, we start on our walk. The subway strike doesn't bother us. We planned to walk today anyway, and Jürgen is pretty happy that we already checked out the graffiti tunnel a few days ago. It would have been a rather long detour, and he's not really feeling great despite the day off.
We walk across Tower Bridge again and, like yesterday evening, turn right into the Southwark district.
We start with Southwark Cathedral [↗]. This is not high on most tourists' to-do list. In our opinion, this is completely unjustified. The Gothic building dates mainly from the period between 1220 and 1420. At the moment, however, it is dominated by an installation by artist Peter Walker. This consists of thousands of paper peace doves hanging from the ceiling in the nave.
Freya discovers a monument of William Shakespeare, who is not buried here but was a member of the parish. By the way, the church has a house cat that even has its own calendar. But that's not the only animal we find here. In the churchyard, we see a fox that has caught a pigeon. Burroughs Market is nearby. We suspect that the fox can get a treat or two there in the evening and that this is its retreat.
Burroughs Market [↗] is also our next destination. Here are lots of market stalls selling fruit and vegetables, but also different types of olive oil, cheese in the most bizarre varieties, tartufo, and much more. We also see some beautiful porcelain by Richard Bramble, and Freya falls head over heels in love with the wonderfully painted plates. She takes a brochure with the website address with her, so we don't forget.
Of course, there are also several food stalls. Unfortunately, we haven't digested our breakfast yet, so we postpone the visit to the food market until later.
Next, we walk to the Tate Modern [↗]. A huge museum of modern art, which was built on the south bank of the Thames several years ago. This is also free to visit.
We start our visit at the Corner Cafe with a Black Forest cupcake and a brownie accompanied by two cappuccinos. Then we have a sparkling Aperol, and only then do we move on to the art. But Jürgen is quite weakened by his cold and is feeling pretty wobbly. So we have to leave the Tate after an hour and a half. Freya still has some wishes left unfulfilled and now dreams of three days in London with unlimited art.
On our way back to the hotel, we notice that crowds at Burroughs Market have increased rather than decreased. Freya agrees, and so we sit down near Southwark Cathedral in the courtyard of a restaurant called Boro Bistro. We eat a light meal and are both happy with our choice.
Then it's back to the hotel. Shortly before we arrive, Jürgen overhears a conversation and has to laugh:
Mother to son: “You're acting like a baby.”
Son: “I wish I were one, then I wouldn't have to walk so much...”
😉
At the hotel, Jürgen lies down immediately and Freya goes to the spa one last time.
