Bankside

London’s Steamy, Saucy, Lawless Pleasure Playground

Let me take you on a private walk through the vibrant and rebellious streets of Bankside

—once the playground of London, where anything ‘went’ just beyond the reach of the

City authorities.

Outside the jurisdiction of the City of London, Bankside became the go-to place for

entertainment of every kind—alehouses, taverns, theatres and the notorious “stews”

(brothels), alongside more raucous pursuits like bear-baiting. This was where London

came to let loose.

As we explore, you’ll uncover the real history hidden beneath the crowds—stories of the

Londoners and visitors who lived, worked and played here. We’ll encounter icons like

Shakespeare’s Globe, bringing the drama of the Elizabethan stage to life, and the great

English galleon, The Golden Hinde, heralding the age of exploration.

We’ll delve into Bankside’s darker side too—from the haunting Crossbones Graveyard

and the tragic lives of the “Winchester Geese”, to the fascinating Old Operating Theatre

Museum and Herb Garret, where the realities of early surgery are laid bare. Along the

way, we’ll trace the legacy of industry at the vast Anchor Brewery, once the largest

breweries in the world.

This is more than a walk—it’s a journey into London’s most colourful and controversial

neighbourhood, where tales of theatre, vice, ambition and survival are hidden in plain

sight.

Walk Duration - 2 hours

Maximum Sized Group - 15