Southwark- the Original South London Neighborhood

The district, which is the oldest part of South London, developed due to its position at the southern end of the early versions of London Bridge, for centuries the only dry crossing on the river. Around 43 AD, the Romans found the geographic features of the south bank in Southwark suitable for the City’s first bridge. By the 12th century Southwark had been incorporated as an ancient borough. West of the Bridge was the Liberty of Clink manor, which was never controlled by the city, but was held under the Bishop of Winchester’s authority. This lack of oversight helped the area become the entertainment district for London with the Globe Theatre being one such venue.

Other than a handful of buildings (prisons, board houses, fishing sheds, and Bothels), Southwark did not become a proper district until the 16th century. Same incremental expansions occurred in Southwark thru the early 19th century with a much larger expansion of the district in the 1820s and 1830s thanks to the railroads and industrialization of London. By 1840 Southwark was filled in down to New Kent Rd. Southwark was heavily bombed during WWII thanks to its port and industrial nature. Much of the district, especially the western and southern edges, was rebuilt. The heart of Southwark around Borough Market thankfully retains its layered history and character and hosts buildings from all eras. The look and feel and street grid of Southwark share many similarities to the City of London given its medieval roots, helping make it one of London’s most interesting districts. While the population density is only about 17K souls per square mile, Southwark is an incredibly vibrant district thanks to a very mixed-use character housing Borough Market and all its interesting shops, restaurants, and bars, several museums and theaters near the Thames River, modern office buildings running along Southwark Ave and Blackfriars Rd and the vibrant biz districts along Borough High and Tower Bridge Rd. South of Borough Station the district becomes more residential and quieter. Southwark, while well connected to the Tube system and a convenient walk to the City of London across the River, is also just a 10 min walk to Waterloo, an important Regional Train Station. It also hosts a respectable bike system network and a good system of smaller public parks. Given its convenient location and great mixed-use fabric, I would like to see its population at least double. 

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URBAN STRENGTHS:

• Southwark is the great main street cutting west to east through the district. Other decent biz districts include Borough High St, Union Street (which includes a nice small pedestrian segment), several segments of Tower Bridge Rd.
• Layers and layers of history in Southwark with an incredible mix of architectural styles and eras. The overhead railroad viaducts also create a distinctiveness to the district where it feels its operating on multiple levels.
• Several major landmarks here including: the Globe Theater, Southwark Cathedral, the Borough Market, the Shard, London Bridge Station, the Tate Modern, the London & Tower Bridge, Bermondsey St.,
• Culturally the district has a great array of museums, performing art theaters, cinemas, live music venues, bars & restaurants (especially near the Borough Market) and a good number of cafes and art galleries.
• Good tree canopy in the southern half of the district (where all the post War housing projects are located) but not the older parts of Southwark near the Thames.
• Surprisingly much better dedicated bike lanes than the City of London and most inner city London districts. Safe seperated lanes run along Blackfriars and Southwark Bridge.
• Good subway access including 4 stations and 4 metro lines. Waterloo is also a 10 min walk west of Southwark.
• Solid retail amenities but mostly concentrated in Borough market, the main arteries and the northern edge along the Thames river. No real department stores in Southwark like in Central or West London.
• Lots of nice smaller parks but no larger parks like Hyde or Regent’s Parks.

URBAN WEAKNESSES:

* Large post war housing complexes build here that don’t have the best urban form and mixed-use fabric especially in the western and southern edges of the district.
* Parts of the district especially along the river and Borough Market can get very touristy.
* At about 17K residents per square mile, this really isn’t a very dense neighborhood. But Southwark still feels busy due to all the tourists and workers here.
* Parts of New Kent feel like a minor highway especially at the intersection with Tower Bridge Rd.