Top Free Things to do in South Bank
You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a great day out sightseeing in South Bank.
Step away from the High Street crowds this Christmas and shop small at South Bank’s many independent boutiques and unique museum shops instead. From Christmas choccies to novelty socks - if you're in need of some fresh festive gift-shopping inspiration, we’ve got you covered!
Here’s a look at 20 unique gifts to shop in South Bank this Christmas to get you inspired.
You can never go wrong with socks at Christmas, right?! Up your festive sock gifting game this year with something original.
For thespians pick up some (1) William Shakes-Feet socks from the National Theatre Bookshop or for film-loving hipsters the BFI has some iconic patterns, including (2) socks inspired by the Overlook Hotel from Kubrick’s The Shining.
The Southbank Centre Shop has an eye-catching range of unique art and design-led socks – for a pop of colour these (3) socks by artist Yinka Ilori are particularly cheerful.
And for something fun and quirky Brand Academy at Oxo Tower Wharf stocks (4) themed novelty socks that come complete with novelty packaging (yes the beer socks come inside a beer can!).
When it comes to Secret Santa, a novelty mug is always an easy win. The same goes for distant relatives, awkward teens, helpful neighbours and other acquaintances who'd you'd like to share a gift with this season...
Graphic design fans should look to the Southbank Centre's (5) Net & Ball homeware range. Inspired by the Royal Festival Hall’s iconic 1951 carpets that were designed as “the visual representation of sound”, there's a variety of homeware to choose from including elegant mugs and teatowels.
At the National Theatre Bookshop we can’t get enough of their witty bright-pink range inspired by the 2024 production of (6) The Importance of Being Earnest, and when it comes to peak novelty, you can't really beat the wide-range of wacky designs on sale at Brand Academy.
Handcrafted mugs created by talented local ceramicists make an extra special gift. The County Hall Pottery Gallery’s (8) Lotus tableware range has a beautiful Tidal glaze whose blues and greens have been inspired by the river Thames. Made from durable white stoneware clay and fired on-site in County Hall Pottery’s kilns, this tableware collection is a uniquely South Bank inspired and made gift!
From bold statement posters to framed screenprints, a South Bank-inspired artwork makes a wonderful gift for any devoted art and design fan.
Explore the (9) exhibition poster collection at the Hayward Gallery shop, where you can buy posters from contemporary art shows past and present. At the Southbank Centre Shop on Mandela Walk check out the colourful (10) South Bank London poster series, each themed after the seasons.
For a unique artwork visit Gabriel’s Wharf, home to two friendly galleries specialising in print art and works on paper. At Southbank Printmakers the collection of (11) mini- and midi- prints with works by more than 40 printmakers to choose from. Skylark Galleries studio also represents dozens of artists working in a range of mediums. Their (12) fine art prints collection includes highly giftable and eye-catching images inspired by iconic South Bank scenes.
For those fashion-conscious friends and loved ones, consider investing in a unique statement handbag, a cosy cashmere hat or a luxurious artist-designed silk scarf.
Regarding (13) statement handbags, they don’t come much bolder than Vendula, an all-vegan handbag label known for their quirky and whimsical designs. In addition to handbags and shoppers, Vendula's beautiful little shop at Gabriel's Wharf also sells backpacks, purses, clutch bags and cute phone cases in an incredible array of designs.
On the first floor of Oxo Tower Wharf printmaker and designer Patrick Morrison’s Furious Goose brings together bold designs, bright colour and crisp digital shapes with luxurious high-quality materials. Their signature (14) silk scarves and pocket squares are veritable wearable artworks, as are their gorgeous merino wool, cashmere and pashmina scarves.
When it comes to winter wear, forget the high street and support a local maker instead. Find a great selection of (15) handmade bucket hats in various materials including faux fur, velvet or corduroy at Heads Rule Hearts. Joanne Plumb is another local maker with a shop here. Specialising in handmade wool items, there’s a wide range of (16) winter scarves and gloves in luxurious materials including cashmere and merino.
Southbank Centre’s Block Scene range is inspired by the angular shapes of the site’s iconic Brutalist buildings. In addition to water bottles, t-shirts, tote bags and umbrellas you can also get a (17) Block Scene notebook from their Royal Festival Hall shop.
The National Theatre Bookshop has a beautiful range of notebooks, although we recommend the Cyanotype for something distinctly South Bank. An exclusive design created in collaboration with architect Will Creech, the (18) Cyanotype notebook is handmade in Scotland from recycled leather, with the distinctive cyanotype pattern on the cover taking direct inspiration from Denys Lasdun’s vision for the National Theatre.
Wagumi at Oxo Tower is a small boutique specialising in Japanese handmade gifts. Their selection of traditional (19) gilding washi postcards are perfect for those who place special value on the art of letter writing. Crafters will also be delighted with their beautiful Japanese origami paper.
And finally, for that perfect Christmas card to suit every personality? You’ll find the biggest range of (20) greeting cards in the Brand Academy shop at Oxo Tower Wharf. Whether you want something with a savage sense of humour, a chirpy and colourful card to dazzle a toddler, a novelty music-playing card or something suitably warm and cheerful for a beloved grandparent, this is the spot.
You don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a great day out sightseeing in South Bank.
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