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.
Looking for things to do in London during the Easter long weekend? There's plenty to keep you busy in South Bank this Easter!
Here's a look at some of the many highlights to get you started...
1. Bowling, baseball & board games on Leake Street
If the weather takes a turn for the worse (and hey, this is London, so it’s definitely a possibility!) head down to Leake Street and while away the hours at the Philadelphia dive bar Passyunk Avenue’s sister venue Passyunk Play. This friendly venue is devoted entirely to classic bar sports with darts, pool, air hockey, ping pong, foosball, beer pong and shuffleboard all on offer, plus there's also baseball batting nets for the Phillies fans.
Also on Leake Street is Draughts, London’s original board games bar, where you can choose from a vast library that boasts more than a thousand games to suit every age and ability. And, just around the corner in The Sidings adjoining Waterloo Station is ‘Britain’s biggest bar’ BrewDog Waterloo, where you can book a lane for a round of duckpin bowling.
Bar sports at Passyunk Play on Leake Street
2. Family immersive adventures at County Hall
Looking for a special family day out? There’s something for all ages at County Hall next to the London Eye. Embark on an immersive journey into the fairytale world of Far Far Away at Shrek’s Adventure! London or join the Brown family as they prepare for the Marmalade Day festival and meet everyone’s favourite bear at The Paddington Bear Experience.
For older kids and teens, there’s also The London Dungeon, the city’s only immersive walk-through experience that also includes a rollercoaster ride! For kids and grown-ups of all ages, a visit to the London Aquarium or the London Eye is always a special day out.
3. Visit the latest exhibitions at Hayward Gallery
There's one month left to see two acclaimed new exhibitions at the Hayward Gallery - Chiharu Shiota: Threads of Life and
Yin Xiuzhen: Heart to Heart - for one single ticket price. Yin Xiuzhen is a Chinese artist renowned for her use of secondhand clothing, concrete, food and household ephemera to create immersive installations and sculptures that explore memory in a rapidly changing China. Upstairs at the gallery, Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota's immense and intricate web-like installations engulf a variety of ordinary objects, exploring her personal experiences of life, death and relationships.
4. Easter celebrations at Gabriel’s Wharf
South Bank’s quirky indie shopping collective Gabriel’s Wharf (next to Oxo Tower) showcases the creations of dozens of small local makers and designers. When it comes to Easter gifts, a chocolate egg or two is essential! Check out Gabu, a beautiful little independent chocolatier that specialises in luxury handmade chocolates. There's also a variety of cute pop-up shops selling unique gifts, ranging from vintage football shirts to print artworks and merino wool scarves.
After browsing the boutiques, grab a table to enjoy a spot of lunch at the super authentic Caribbean restaurant Limin’. or thge Gourmet Pizzeria. Adding to the atmosphere over the Easter weekend, there’s live music and family crafting activities in the courtyard on Saturday and Easter Monday from 12pm–4pm.
Gabriel's Wharf
5. Book a table for an Easter brunch or lunch
For a special occasion lunch or brunch with friends and family, take your pick from the many South Bank restaurants offering special Easter menus this weekend.
Popular South Bank brunch spots include The Black Penny cafe just behind the London Eye, the bright and breezy Spanish restaurant La Gamba at Southbank Centre, the chic Sea Containers Restaurant, the fancy Skylon restaurant in Royal Festival Hall and the colourful Lebanese spot Comptoir Libanais.
If a Sunday roast is more your thing, take your pick from one of many local pubs such as The Mulberry Bush or the Fountain & Ink.
Sea Containers Restaurant terrace
6. BFI IMAX Docs on the big screen
Keep the kids entertained with the BFI’s unmissable selection of IMAX documentary short films (up to 50 minutes long). Screened on the biggest cinema screen in Britain, this is an immense and immersive way to view exciting documentaries that explore science, space and the natural world.
IMAX Documentaries showing this Easter include Blue Whales: Return of the Giants 3D (Fri 3 Apr at 11:30am and Sun 12 Apr at 11am), Dinosaurs of Antarctica 3D (Thu 2 Apr at 11:30am, Mon 6 Apr at 11am, Thu 9 Apr at 11am, Sat 11 Apr at 11:30am), and Deep Sky (Sun 5 Apr and Tue 7 Apr at 11am).
7. Live Comedy at Big Belly Comedy Show
If you haven't been to see a show yet at this new independent, owner-run comedy club, then you've been missing out! Every day of the week, there's a fresh lineup of upcoming and established local acts on the line-up. There are also some cracking regular events such as the wild Ding Dong Gong Show on Saturdays and the monthly Delivery Room on Sunday evenings, where top comedians drop in to drop their newest jokes.
If you're looking to kick off the Easter weekend with a brunch party that boasts that something extra, grab your tickets for this Saturday's Ding Dong Gong x Big Belly Brunch party on Sat 4 Apr. Described as "Britain’s Got Talent Vs Ann Summers Party!” it's a raucous comedy-packed afternoon with a delicious choice of food options including curries, pizzas and mezze.
8. Enjoy a street food lunch
The Southbank Centre Food Market is open throughout the long weekend (Fri 12–9pm, Sat 11am–9pm, Sun and Mon 12-6pm) with more than 30 delicious stalls to choose from plus craft beer, wine and fresh juice pop-ups. Whether you favour decadent sweet crepes slathered in chocolate, sizzling smash burgers or you have a taste for spicy curries from across Asia, Africa and the Caribbean, there’s an incredible variety of options to choose from.
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