Southbank Centre

This world-famous arts centre on the river hosts an incredible 5,000+ events a year across every genre of visual arts, theatre, dance, classical and contemporary music, literature, poetry and debate.

Enjoy a classical concert by one of four different resident orchestras, experience the world premieres of new shows by leading international choreographers, visit extraordinary contemporary art exhibitions at the Hayward Gallery or just soak up the atmosphere with a busy programme of free concerts, DJ sets and interactive activities for all the family.

Throughout the year the Southbank Centre hosts a variety of festivals that are major cultural landmarks on the London calendar, including: the London Literature Festival, the London Jazz Festival, Imagine Children’s Festival and the summer music festival Meltdown.

Meanwhile, the public spaces surrounding the building play host to a regularly changing display of public art installations, including the famous Winter Light installations around Christmas time and the much-loved dancing fountain, Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms in the summer.

In addition to one of London’s biggest concerts halls – Royal Festival Hall, the expansive Southbank Centre site (easily identifiable by its bright yellow staircases) includes the contemporary art gallery Hayward Gallery, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Purcell Rooms and the National Poetry Library, as well as the Undercroft, a skate park that has been an iconic feature of London’s skateboarding scene for decades.

Eating and drinking at Southbank Centre

Enjoy a drink or a meal in one of more than a dozen, cafes, bars, restaurants and pop-ups occupying prime spaces across the Southbank Centre site. Options range from upmarket destination restaurants like the glamorous Skylon inside the Royal Festival Hall and the Galician wine and tapas bar La Gamba to popular chains including Wahaca, Honest Burgers, Giraffe, Comptoir Libanais, Las Iguanas and Wagamama.

In summer find a seat at the busy Riverside Terrace overlooking the river and the fountains, or retreat to the more hidden away Hayward Gallery Cafe. The Queen Elizabeth Hall rooftop garden is a real gem and a fantastic place to hide away for a few hours amidst the abundant greenery.

For something quick to go while you stroll the Queen's Walk, the quirky Beany Green coffee container is a popular spot or for a quick sandwich you can't beat Pret a Manger.

Also look out for the weekly Southbank Centre Food Market (Fri-Sun) with its 30+ stalls selling a huge selection of cuisines from around the world, and during the festive period the festive Winter Market that stretches out underneath Hungerford Bridge along the riverside.

Southbank Centre shops

Southbank Centre has some brilliant gift shops that are well worth seeking out for something special.

On the Nelson Mandela Walk (which leads from the bridge crossing the river to the back of the festival) the flagship Southbank Centre gift shop stocks a great range of unique homeware, art prints and other gifts, while inside the Festival Hall there's another shop which has a fantastic range of gifts and books that are perfect for classical music lovers.

The Hayward Gallery also has a lovely shop selling artistic gifts, art books, posters and other beautiful contemporary art-themed items, and if you need a novel to pass sometimes, there's even a branch of Foyles bookshop right on the Queen's Walk.