Area Guide (SE1)
Out and about in SE1
Borough, Bermondsey and Southwark, some of the best areas in London all in SE1!
SE1 is renowned for the fabulous markets, restaurants and bar scene making it a hit amongst young business professionals. If you love to shop local then look no further as Borough Market features some of the best artisans and independent traders.
But this area is so much more than what you see on the surface. As SE1 residents ourselves, let us tell you why we love Borough and discover our favourite haunts!
Maltby Street Market
Borough Market is the indisputable jewel of SE1 and is a must if you have never been to the area! Alternatively, hidden under the Bermondsey arches you will find Maltby Street Market. They have fresh produce, street food, antiques and much more.
This market was once a small venue for local traders but now you can become inspired by cracking coffee and international cuisine.
Mercato Metrapolitan
Mercato are close neighbours and one of our favourite hangouts in the summer!
The festivities are in full swing here from May until October where you will find street food vendors that cover all sides of the globe, bars with fabulous concoctions and craft beers and to top it off the great music!
Find them down in Elephant and Castle, be warned these guys know how to have a good time!
Nine Lives Bar
This bar has to make the list of the most Instagrammable venues in London!
Tucked away in Bermondsey Street this tropical hideaway looks good and does good. Their ethos is a zero waste policy, everything you see in this fabulous bar had a former life- hence the Nine Lives label!
Must try is their crafted house cocktails with a concoction of different tastes and unique style- there will be something to please everyone.
Lant Street Wine
They’ve called Borough home since 1986 and are on a mission to find and import the best wine to serve to their customers. If you’re fortunate enough to head into their beautiful urban space, you will be faced with walls of hand picked wine from all over the world. As independent wine merchants you can be assured that they have tried and tested every wine on offer- lucky them!
A favourite with us at Leonard Leese is their tasting nights, only £15 and you are guaranteed a very fun time!
Fashion & Textile Museum
This bright building in the heart of Bermondsey is an amazing place housing all contemporary fashion, textiles and jewellery.
Founded by the iconic Zandra Rhodes, this museum is a history of all things fashion and is a great inspiration for those who love clothes. It’s also great if you want inspiration before updating the house!
The shows in the museum are ever evolving and changing so no two shows will be the same! The museum also hosts classes and workshops so you can release your inner designer.
Hej Coffee
A firm favourite for coffee lovers and foodies alike- Hej, meaning ‘Hi’ in Swedish, oozes skandi chic but it’s not all about aesthetic.
They serve artisanal hand roasted coffee with a fantastic selection of food that caters for all pallets. So take a walk down to Bermondsey Square and lap up the artistic vibes and brag about how hygge you are!
Transport
One of the reasons why Borough is so special is that it’s right in the centre of the city so you could stroll leisurely to take in the sights and explore the beautiful shops and markets. If that’s not for you then read our guide for transport below; in Borough you won’t have to go far to find the nearest public transport links.
- Trains – National Rail mainline stations: London Waterloo, London Bridge
- Tube – Northern Line + a new night service
- Bus – 133 towards Liverpool Street
- Cycle routes – Bikes available to hire in Central London
There’s so much more popping up every week in SE1, this is one of the reasons we love living here! Why not see for yourself and drop us an email to feature your favourite places in the area. We’d love to feature this in our blog and twitter feeds! Send to info@leonardleese.com or tweet @leonardleese
