In the Shadow of The Shard: Unveiling London's Treasures

Trailblazers: Women Who Shaped the Tower

Until the 3rd of September, the Tower of London is hosting "Trailblazers: Women at the Tower of London". Visitors are invited to meet five remarkable female trailblazers who have left an indelible mark on the Tower's past. Their stories, filled with courage and innovation, are brought to life as they embark on a quest to secure their rightful place in history books before the Tower closes its gates for the day.

Photo by Historic Royal Palaces

Coronation Bench Trail: A Celebration of Youth Creativity

Running until the 1st of September, the "Coronation Bench Trail" showcases fourteen creatively illustrated benches, envisioned by talented children and young individuals from across the UK. 

Each bench stands as a testament to the celebration of the Coronation and offers an insightful glimpse into the thoughts and aspirations of today's youth. Selected from a pool of over 1,500 entries from a nationwide schools competition, these winning benches touch on themes of unity, peace, resilience, kindness, and environmental care. They provide a window into the hopes and dreams of young people as they look ahead to the reign of King Charles III.

Explore the array of exciting events and activities lined up for the weekend at the Tower of London via the website.

Photo by Historic Royal Palaces

Riverside food, drinks and entertainment

Elsewhere on the Southbank, the world-famous Borough Market is open over the weekend to satisfy your hunger and quench your thirst with its quality produce and eclectic street food. From fresh fruit and vegetables to artisan cheeses and homemade breads and everything in between, you’ll be sure to pick up something tasty.

Round the corner, make sure you don’t miss the live music hosted by London Bridge City. Catch the Sundays by the River show, held in The Scoop amphitheatre next to City Hall, on Sunday afternoon for a broad selection of music from new artists. It’s the perfect place to see some future stars.

Sailing into London’s past

You can really get into the nautical history of London too, with the opportunity to navigate the floating city that is HMS Belfast. Home to nine separate decks, the iconic London landmark is open throughout the Bank Holiday weekend. There’s also a full-size reconstruction of the famous Elizabethan galleon, the Golden Hinde. It was the first English ship to circumnavigate the world and now sits proudly by London Bridge awaiting your visit.

However you choose to spend your Bank Holiday, the Southbank is the area to be. Whether it’s embracing the hustle and bustle of food markets and busy bars, learning about centuries past on board icons of British history, or simply taking the time to chill out and soak up the atmosphere, let The Shard guide you to the right place.