Bankside

Bankside is a term used for the land along the bank of a river, and in Britain it is most often associated with the south bank of the River Thames in London. The area lies in the London Borough of Southwark and forms part of the wider South Bank cultural corridor. It has a long history as a site of entertainment, industry, and later, modern culture.

Historically, Bankside was known for its theatres and entertainment districts in the 16th and 17th centuries, including the original theatres associated with Shakespeare. It later became industrialized, and in the 20th century the Bankside Power Station provided electricity to the area. In the late 20th century, Bankside underwent redevelopment, converting former industrial sites into cultural venues and offices.

Today Bankside is dominated by cultural institutions and riverside development. Tate Modern, housed in the former Bankside Power Station, is a major international contemporary art museum. Shakespeare's Globe, a reconstruction of the Elizabethan playhouse, offers tours and performances. Borough Market, one of London’s oldest and most renowned food markets, is near the riverfront. The Millennium Bridge, opened in 2000, links Bankside with the City across the Thames. The area also contains Southwark Cathedral and other historic and modern buildings, and is served by nearby London Underground stations, including Borough, Southwark and London Bridge, and by National Rail at Blackfriars.