London Village: Bermondsey Street

Exploring London villages: Bermondsey Street near London Bridge. B-Street Deli.

Something that still surprises me, is that you can be in the busiest, most touristy part of London – you turn the corner – and all of a sudden you’re in what looks like a small, pretty village. I love exploring these London ‘villages’, each with their own unique charm. Bermondsey is one of them. Or actually, it’s mostly one street: Bermondsey Street.

Exploring London villages: Bermondsey Street near London Bridge. B-Street Deli.Exploring London villages: Bermondsey Street near London Bridge. B-Street Deli

To visit Bermondsey Street you need to travel via London Bridge station. But where most people turn one way to visit Borough Market or the Shard, you go the other way. Turn right again to lose those other tourists looking for the Tower Bridge and there it is.

Exploring London villages: Bermondsey Street near London Bridge.

Actually, one of my favorite markets – Maltby Street Market – is in Bermondsey, but I never really explored Bermondsey Street before. I was surprised to see so many nice restaurants, cafés and shops. And I never made the connection that one of my favorite London restaurants – Pizarro – is located at the end of this street as well.

Exploring London villages: Bermondsey Street near London Bridge. Southerden for cakes and coffee.Exploring London villages: Bermondsey Street near London Bridge. Doughnut at Southerden.

I couldn’t walk by Southerden without going in. The sign in front says ‘We decorate cakes…What’s your super power?‘ Inside you’ll find an amazing selection of sweet and savory pastries, like this sweet but light doughnut. But it’s also a café where you can have lunch or coffee.

Exploring London villages: Bermondsey Street near London Bridge. Tanner & Co.Exploring London villages: Bermondsey Street near London Bridge. White Cube art gallery.Exploring London villages: Bermondsey Street near London Bridge. White Cube art gallery.

Modern art gallery White Cube is another thing you don’t want to miss. It’s a huge building (formerly a warehouse) with three main exhibition spaces. When it opened in 2011 it was Europe’s largest commercial gallery.

Exploring London villages: Bermondsey Street near London Bridge. Rude Kids street art.Exploring London villages: Bermondsey Street near London Bridge.

If you walk along Bermondsey Street, coming from London Bridge like I did, you’ll find Bermondsey Square at the end. A Friday or Saturday would probably be the best time to visit this area since there is an antique market every Friday (6am – 2pm) and a farmers’ market on Saturdays (10am – 2pm).

Exploring London villages: Bermondsey Street near London Bridge. Hej Coffee on Bermondsey Square.Exploring London villages: Bermondsey Street near London Bridge. Hej Coffee on Bermondsey Square.Exploring London villages: Bermondsey Street near London Bridge. Hej Coffee on Bermondsey Square.Exploring London villages: Bermondsey Street near London Bridge.

Being here on a weekday, I didn’t find any markets on Bermondsey Square, but what I did find was this super charming Swedish flower / coffee shop: Hej Coffee. They sell Scandinavian cinnamon buns, and if you buy their flowers you get your coffee for free.

Reaching the end of Bermondsey Street it was time to leave my London village bubble and get back to the city crowds. But it’s nice to know that you can find these type of neighborhoods all over London, so I can’t wait to explore the next one.

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