Next-Level London Sightseeing: Best Things to do near The Shard

If your idea of sightseeing includes sampling every bit of street food in sight, Borough Market might just be your paradise. Just a couple of minutes' walk from The Shard, this sprawling gourmet market has everything from artisanal British cheeses to zingy Asian street food and Instagram-ready pastries. The energy here is infectious—locals queue for their daily coffee while tourists graze their way through curry, paella, dumplings and salted caramel doughnuts.

The quality here is super-high: traders and producers are handpicked for their passion and provenance, whether it’s British charcuterie, truffle oil or wild mushrooms gathered that morning. Tuck into legendary dishes like Kappacasein’s gooey cheese toastie or authentic Ethiopian stew. Grab a caffeine fix from Monmouth Coffee or treat yourself to sweet cannoli from the Sicilian deli. The market is open most days, but if you love a busy buzz, Saturdays are unbeatable.

It’s a spot where you can eat your way around the world, hear directly from the producers, and pick up gourmet souvenirs. When you’ve finished feasting, stroll a few steps further for riverside views or duck inside nearby Southwark Cathedral.

Stroll 10 minutes from The Shard and suddenly you’re standing right next to one of London’s most famous sights: Tower Bridge. There’s something about the combination of grand Victorian engineering, sky-blue paintwork, and those twin towers rising over the river. You can simply snap a photo, but to really appreciate it, head inside for the full Tower Bridge experience.

Here’s what sets it apart: you’ll wander through the original engine rooms, with massive whirling wheels and a soundtrack of clanking metal. High above the river, glass-floored walkways provide heart-thumping views of boats and double-deckers far below. At sunset, the golden light spills through dramatic Gothic windows—utter magic for photographers and daydreamers alike.

History buffs will love the exhibitions retelling Tower Bridge’s wildest moments, from royal processions to daring river stunts. Engineers in your group? You’ll geek out over the old-school machinery, preserved and presented with hands-on displays. Pair this adventure with a stroll to the Tower of London next door for a riverfront history double-whammy.

There’s nothing else quite like stepping into Shakespeare’s Globe, just along the riverside from The Shard. This stunning Tudor-style reconstruction whisks you into the world of Elizabethan theatre, where stories leapt from the stage and the audience became part of the action.

The Globe’s guided tours are packed with tales and trivia. You’ll hear how actors dodged flying oranges, how groundlings jostled at the front, and how each performance became a raucous event. Costumed guides make history come alive, describing backstage secrets and even letting you test-drive a few Shakespearian heckles. You’ll explore the timber-framed galleries, smell the sawdust, and feel the romance of open-air theatre—whatever the weather.

While the Globe’s summer performances sell out quickly, the tour is a winner all year round. Inside, you’ll discover costuming workshops, historic props and the joyous creativity that still powers this Shakespearean landmark. Whether you’re an Eng-lit superfan or just curious about London’s artistic side, the Globe is a living, breathing part of the city’s cultural heritage.

A riverside stroll from The Shard takes you to the doors of Tate Modern, London’s grand love letter to contemporary art. Housed inside a striking converted power station with soaring brick chimneys and huge industrial windows, it’s every art lover’s daydream, and the building’s boldness is hard to resist.

Step inside, and the energy fairly fizzes, from supersize art installations in the Turbine Hall to intimate galleries stuffed with Warhols, Picassos and cutting-edge British artists. Special exhibitions show off everything from surrealist sculpture to immersive video, while the permanent collection always throws up fresh surprises.

Tate Modern is more than just serious art, though. There’s a lively café on Level 1 for gallery people-watching and chic espresso sipping. Head to the top floor for panoramic river views—St Paul’s and the City gleam across the water, and you can easily spot The Shard on the skyline. On Saturdays, the area outside the museum comes alive with street performers, book sellers, and food trucks dishing out tacos and flaky sausage rolls. Whether you set aside an hour or an entire afternoon, Tate Modern is as fun and accessible as art galleries get.

Sometimes the best way to see London is to hop on a boat and let the city come to you. With City Cruises’ Thames River Pass, you’ll loop straight past The Shard, glide beneath historic bridges, and spot everyone from skateboarders at the South Bank to Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London.

Board one of these nifty red-and-white boats for a hop-on, hop-off adventure. It’s fun for families, handy if you’re planning to sightsee without sore feet, and every route comes with running commentary packed with facts, tall tales, and a dash of good old-fashioned dry British humour. Float under Tower Bridge, wave to street buskers on piers, or sit up top for big-sky views that beat any bus tour.

We love pairing the cruise with visits to The Shard, Tower of London, and Tate Modern, all along the same short stretch of river. If you’re feeling inspired, ride all the way to Greenwich and tick off other bucket-listers like the Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark.

You can’t get much closer to living London history than a trip to the Tower of London, just over the river from The Shard and impossible to miss with its fortress walls and dramatic turrets. This isn’t just a castle—it’s one of Britain’s oldest royal palaces, a notorious prison, an arsenal, a treasure vault, and even a menagerie (though you’ll need to use your imagination for the tigers and bears these days). But the true stars? Those inscrutable ravens that patrol the grounds, keeping a beady birdy eye out to ensure the kingdom doesn’t fall.

The moment you step inside, time seems to slow down. Yeoman Warders—aka Beefeaters—regale guests with tales of plots, escapes, ghostly legends and more than a few royal misadventures. Their tours crackle with charisma and inside jokes, offering up everything from the grisly fate of Anne Boleyn to the secrets hidden in the tower’s spiral staircases. Keep your camera handy for the glittering Crown Jewels: guarded day and night, these magnificent orbs, sceptres and crowns shimmer inside polished glass cases, offering a rare glimpse of royal ceremony and pageantry.

Tucked just steps from The Shard and the hustle of Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral offers a welcome slice of calm beneath towering gothic arches. This spot has roots stretching back more than 1,000 years, with everything you’d want from a centuries-old church: intricate stonework, stained glass windows that glow in the afternoon sun, and hushed naves that invite a reflective pause.

Walking inside, you’re immediately met with a cocooning hush—a world away from the busy streets outside. Take a moment to gaze up at the vaulted ceilings, where delicate carvings and quirky bosses hold secrets of their own. If you’re a history buff, you’ll be fascinated to spot the tomb of John Gower, a medieval poet, and learn about the cathedral’s connections to Shakespeare (the Bard’s brother Edmund is buried here).

But it’s not just museum-piece history: Southwark Cathedral is still very much a working cathedral, hosting concerts, art installations and community functions between services. We especially love the cozy churchyard garden, a favourite haunt for locals with their Borough Market lunches. Or if you fancy a more refined treat, the Refectory café next door serves up scones, homemade cakes, and a divine pot of tea.

Forget big-name high streets—Maltby Street Market, found tucked beneath railway arches in cool Bermondsey, is your ticket to small-batch, heartily crafted goodies sourced from London’s most creative street vendors. It’s a quick and lively walk from The Shard, yet a world away from the city’s typical tourist crowds.

Visit on weekends, and you’ll discover an explosion of colour, aromas and laughter along Ropewalk—a narrow lane strung with bunting and buzzing with local life. Feast your way through stalls offering everything from decadent brownies and gooey raclette to Japanese fried chicken and artisanal gin tastings. Stone-baked flatbreads? Street tacos? Spiced rum cocktails? It’s all here and comes, more often than not, served with a side of friendly banter.

The seating is quirky—reclaimed barrels and wooden crates—but it all just adds to the charm. Don’t miss St. John Bakery for their legendary custard doughnuts, or Little Bird Gin for an expertly mixed G&T.

So there you have it—whether you’re here for riverside culture, urban adventure, or serious street eats, the neighbourhood around The Shard is stuffed with London discoveries. Dig in and make it your own!