[1] Come out of the centre and cross Rushworth Street. Turn left along Rushworth Street and then right along Pocock Street. After a short distance cross to the left hand side of Pocock Street using the raised crossing. Head under the railway arch and turn left along Great Suffolk Street. Cross Union Street using the controlled crossing.
[2] Head under the three railway bridges and continue along Great Suffolk Street.
You may notice that some of the street lights are now painted orange and labelled ‘Tate Modern this way’. These form a walking trail from Southwark underground station to the gallery.
Cross Price’s Street and then head across to the right hand side of Great Suffolk Street, at the controlled crossing.
[3] Cross Southwark Street at the lights and walk along the wide pavement on Sumner Street next to the newly-built shops, cafés, and restaurants. Once you are next to a bar/restaurant called Leon cross over to the left hand side of the street. Just ahead on your left is an entrance to the gardens surrounding the Tate Modern (A). Head into the gardens and follow the path around the side of the gallery. The path heads to the left and back onto the pavement. Follow the pavement alongside the road, past the taxi stand until you reach the open space next to the gallery.
(A) Tate Modern was formerly the Bankside power station which closed in 1981. The building re-opened as a modern art gallery in 2000, and has become one of London’s busiest visitor attractions. Entrance to some of the exhibitions is free, and the gallery is open seven days a week. Visit www.tate.org.uk/modern for more information. There are toilets and places to purchase refreshments.
Continue to walk around the side of the building, and head towards the river, then turn right along the riverside path.
You are now walking along the Thames Path, which runs from the source in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier at Charlton.
Head under the Millennium Bridge and continue walking along the river.
[4] Keep on the higher riverside pavement as you come to the reconstructed (B) Globe Theatre. Turn right just past the theatre down New Globe Walk. Use the ramp (or steps). Cross Park Street and continue straight ahead along Emerson Street. Just before reaching the junction with Sumner Street, cross Emerson Street to the right hand side and then turn right at T junction along Sumner Street. When you reach a traffic barrier turn left along Great Guildford Street. When you reach busy Southwark Street turn left to cross using the controlled crossing.
(B) The original Globe Theatre was home to the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a theatre company that included William Shakespeare. The first theatre burnt down in 1613 after a cannon misfired during a production of Henry VIII. A second theatre lasted until 1642 when it was closed by the Puritans. This reconstruction, known officially as Shakespeare’s Globe, opened in 1997 approximately 200 metres from the original site.
[5] After crossing head straight ahead along Southwark Bridge Road.
Over the road to your left is the (C) Novas Contemporary Urban Centre. This is a gallery that celebrates the work of socially excluded or homeless artists, alongside upcoming and established ones.
Turn next right into America Street, taking care as you walk past the various garage openings. At the end turn left under the bridge along Great Guildford Street.
[6] Cross Union Street and then cross to the right hand side of Great Guildford Street. At the end of Great Guildford Street follow the pavement to the right, now walking along Southwark Bridge Road.
The buildings on your right belong to the London Fire Brigade. The (D) London Fire Brigade Museum is open Monday to Friday but all visits must be booked in advance. The site is also home to a large training facility for firemen.
Turn next right along Sawyer Street and then after a short distance turn left along Pocock Street. Cross Great Suffolk Street and head under the arch to continue along the left hand pavement of Pocock Street. Cross Glasshill Street and King’s Bench Street and then turn next left into Rushworth Street. Cross the street to return to the centre.