South Bank London

Hello summer!

From summer festivals and riverside pop-up bars to mouthwatering street food and the most magical sunsets – take a stroll by the river, soak up the atmosphere and make it a summer to remember in South Bank.

Summer terraces & rooftops

diners out of focus in foreground at the oxo tower restaurant with treeline viewed over the river in focus in the background

OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar & Brasserie

This iconic dining destination serves up sophistication and stunning views.

Wahaca

Fresh, vibrant & sustainable street food inspired by the magical markets of Mexico.

12th Knot

Rooftop bar with top-notch cocktails and panoramic views looking out over the river.

People sat drinking at an outdoor bar with a shelter, surrounded by plants and flowers.

Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden

Roof Garden Bar & Kitchen

A casual café-bar in the beautiful garden on the rooftop of the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

La Gamba

A breezy Spanish tapas and wine restaurant that looks onto the Queen’s Walk at Southbank Centre.

The Understudy at National Theatre

Enjoy a taste of London’s diverse street food flavours at the National Theatre.

Strada

Riverside restaurant at the Southbank Centre offering a traditional Italian experience with a modern twist.

Las Iguanas

Vibrant Latin American bar and restaurant with a fantastic terrace.

Southbank Centre Food Market

This lively street food market is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays behind the Royal Festival Hall.

Forza Wine at National Theatre

Enjoy tasty small plates, great wines and fab views at this 'Italian-ish' boutique wine bar.

Limin' South Bank

Colourful Caribbean beach-bar and restaurant serving spicy Trinidadian flavours.

Giraffe

Popular family-friendly chain serving global cuisine right by the river.

Locale

Brilliantly located classic Italian restaurant opening onto a quiet piazza.

Azzuro Italian Kitchen & Bar

All-day Italian restaurant and bar serving pizza and pasta favourites.

The Green Room

Spacious restaurant with a great garden terrace and a tasty menu of handmade pizzas.

The Garden Museum

Garden Café

Enjoy daily changing seasonal menus at the Garden Museum's award-winning restaurant.

Summer pop-ups

South Bank top summer pop-ups

South Bank is famous for its summer pop-ups. Here's a look at who's popping up this summer and where.

Discover More about South Bank top summer pop-ups

What's On

Hayward Gallery

Yoshitomo Nara

10 Jun 2025 - 31 Aug 2025

The largest ever European retrospective of one of Japan’s most celebrated artists.

Exhibitions

The Understudy at National Theatre

Wimbledon at the NT

30 Jun 2025 - 13 Jul 2025

Wimbledon comes to the South Bank with free open-air screenings at The Understudy

Festival

Southbank Centre

Dance Your Way Home

23 Jul 2025 - 29 Aug 2025

Southbank Centre’s summer programme is an ode to dance floors in all shapes and sizes.

Festival

St John's Waterloo

Waterloo Festival

10 Jul 2025 - 13 Jul 2025

An annual celebration of arts, community and heritage hosted and produced by St John’s Waterloo church.

Exhibitions

Nye

03 Jul 2025 - 16 Aug 2025

Michael Sheen plays British welfare state visionary Aneurin "Nye" Bevan in this ‘epic Welsh fantasia’.

Theatre & Shows

The Garden Museum

Cecil Beaton’s Garden Party

14 May 2025 - 21 Sept 2025

Explore the influence of flowers in Cecil Beaton's painting, photography and design practice.

Exhibitions

National Theatre

Inter Alia

10 Jul 2025 - 13 Sept 2025

A searing new play starring Rosamund Pike as a Crown Court Judge juggling family and career.

Southbank Centre

New Music Biennial

04 Jul 2025 - 06 Jul 2025

Discover some of the best new music being composed in the UK at this free festival.

Festival

Southbank Centre

ESEA Encounters

17 Jul 2025 - 20 Jul 2025

A new summer weekend series showcasing contemporary art and culture from East and Southeast Asia and the diaspora

Festival

Southbank Centre

Jeppe Hein's Appearing Rooms fountain

31 May 2025 - 25 Aug 2025

Cool down this summer at Southbank Centre's interactive fountains.

Family

Top terraces

40 top terraces for summer

If you want to drink and dine outdoors, South Bank is the place to be this summer!

Discover More about 40 top terraces for summer

Parks, gardens & beaches

A view of the London Eye from Jubilee Gardens on a sunny day

Jubilee Gardens

A glorious green haven at the foot of the London Eye.

Ernie's Beach

Get down on the water at this publically accessible tidal beach.

Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden

Southbank Centre's summer roof garden is a hidden oasis in the heart of the city.

Archbishop's Park

Escape the crowds in this leafy park behind Lambeth Palace.

Bernie Spain Gardens

A riverside oasis of green between Oxo Tower and Gabriel's Wharf.

Lambeth Palace Garden Open Day

19 May - 19 May 2025

The historic Lambeth Palace Gardens open their gates to the public for the evening.

Walks, Talks & Tours

Family days out

Summer holiday fun for families

Jump into summer with a jam-packed line-up of great events and exciting attractions these school holidays!

Discover More about Summer holiday fun for families

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