Make the most of South Bank in the sun this summer

Comedy, cabaret and circus

Returning to London's South Bank for the 11th consecutive year, the Underbelly Festival has established itself as one of the city's most vibrant cultural celebrations, promoting the best new British performance art alongside seasoned world-class entertainers.

The 400-seater venue is holding 70 hugely varied shows this season in comedy, circus, podcast recordings and family entertainment. The communal area outside it, meanwhile, has once again brought to life with quirky decorations, food and drink stalls and comfy seating areas ideal for lounging.

The festival programme presents an array of exciting acts, from award-winning stand-ups and cabaret to kids’ shows and improvised theatre. Click here to browse the full line up.

Markets

Tucked away from the river is Gabriel’s Wharf, an enclave dotted with independent shops selling everything from jewellery and clothing to fair-trade furnishings and affordable artwork. Pop in here to escape the crowds and pretend, if only for a few minutes, you’re browsing the high street of a quaint seaside town. Once stocked up on design-led gifts and goodies, extend the moment by ducking into one of the wharf’s coffee shops or restaurants to enjoy your brew of choice overlooking views of the river.

The Southbank Centre Food Market is another not to miss, thanks to its offering of some of the best street food in the capital. From aromatic Indian curries and Korean BBQ burritos to sizzling Thai stir fries and original takes on gourmet burgers, the market comes to life in summer with enough fresh, vibrant flavours to tantalize the tastebuds of even the most discerning foodie.

Theatre

If you’re a theatre lover, a trip to South Bank wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the National Theatre. The world-leading venue is committed to commissioning work by up-and-coming artists as well as programming those who are at the top of their game. Highlights to catch this summer include an adaptation of Andrea Levy's acclaimed novel Small Island. But If you haven’t the time to catch a show, you can still pop in for a backstage tour or to enjoy a drink and bite to eat in one of the theatre’s restaurants and bars.

If the weather’s nice, pay a visit to the National Theatre’s River Stage. Here, on the banks of the Thames, London's National Theatre spills out beyond the Olivier, Lyttleton and Dorfman auditoriums. For five weekends (5 July to 4 August), the outdoor River Stage comes to life with an eclectic programme of live music, guest DJs, dance and performance. It combines the topnotch talent of the standard NT programming with a casual drop-by vibe. A pop up cocktail bar, retro ice-cream van and wood-fired pizza stall add to the festival atmosphere.

Click here for more summer theatre highlights

Food and drink

The South Bank is heaving with restaurants, cafes, bars and pop-up stalls, and a trip here will inevitably involve a bite to eat at some point. If you arrive early, we recommend a coffee-fuelled brunch at bright and breezy Skylon.

Move on to Art Yard for a sumptuous lunch with a view, then head to Lyaness – formerly Dandelyan and currently number one on the World’s 50 Best Bars list – for cocktails so good you’ll struggle to look beyond the rim of your glass to views of the river beyond. (Beer lovers, meanwhile, should try the Understudy bar at the National Theatre for interesting brews in a buzzy setting, or Draughts to play a board game while you sip.) For dinner, take things sky high to the OXO Tower brasserie, where modern British plates are served on the eighth floor with a side of panoramic vistas.

Family activities

If you’re spending the day with little ones, few areas offer as much variety to keep them entertained as the South Bank. From an underwater adventure at the Sea Life London Aquarium, to a chance to see your favourite ogres come to life at the Shrek immersive adventure, wide-eyed dazzlement awaits. If it’s sunny, though, Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms – aka the fickle fountain – is a thrilling, free attraction, sure to get everyone splashing and laughing.

Older kids might like House of Vans, where free events – including BMX lessons, a Skate Skool and film clubs run four days a week. While Zip London, the world's biggest and fastest urban zip wire, offers thrill-seeking children (aged eight and above) and adults the chance to fly through the air, taking in views of Big Ben and the Coca-Cola London Eye as they glide.

Click here for family attractions

Art galleries & museums

South Bank is known for its rich art scene. Our favourite exhibition this summer is the provocative Kiss My Genders at the Southbank Centre’s Hayward Gallery, which brings together nearly 40 artists in a dazzling celebration of fluidity and freedom.

There’s also [email protected], an intimate and free riverside gallery space located at the foot of South Bank's celebrated Oxo Tower. Showcasing the best in photography, contemporary design and architecture, the boutique gallery welcomes and champions contemporary artists tackling thought-provoking global issues in their work. With a frequently changing exhibition programme, there is always something new to discover here.

You can also escape the heat this summer exploring the Imperial War Museum. Housed within the walls of what used to be the Bedlam Hospital in the 18th century, the museum tells the intriguing and often heart-wrenching stories of British and Commonwealth soldiers affected by war. Its current exhibition, Culture Under Attack, explores how war threatens not just lives, but the things that make life worth living, and is well worth a look in. There are lots of child-friendly activities on offer, too, and the beautiful surrounding gardens of Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park are perfect for a post-exhibition picnic.

Meanwhile, the Florence Nightingale Museum offers a chance to uncover the life and work of the world’s most famous nurse, travelling through three pavilions to relive Florence’s childhood, understand her experiences in the Crimean War and discover how she pioneered modern nursing practice.

Green spaces

While better known for its eclectic cultural offering, South Bank also offers tranquil green spaces – perfect for summer lounging. Escape the busy walkway with its buskers, booksellers and bellowing thesps by taking a trip up to the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden atop the Southbank Centre. The ‘secret’ garden is every bit an oasis in the heart of London, complete with allotments, fruit trees and stunning vistas of the Thames and the city beyond. The garden is free to enjoy and there’s a café serving drinks, sandwiches and snacks to keep you fuelled.

Meanwhile, the polished, winding Jubilee Gardens are ideal for a spot of people watching. The gardens were renovated in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – a transformation which saw the addition of new flower beds, 69 trees and a contemporary playground.

Another green space to know about is the Bernie Spain Gardens. At 26,000 square feet, there’s plenty of space here for spreading out and relaxing. The gardens are also just minutes away from Waterloo, Blackfriars and Southwark stations, making them accessible whichever direction you're coming from.

Click here for more on South Bank’s green spaces

Film

The South Bank might be the backdrop to scenes in several quintessentially British films – Love Actually and the fifth Harry Potter among them – but it’s also the place to watch them, thanks to the British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank. The world-renowned venue boasts four cinemas, and runs regular talks and panel debates with directors, actors and other representatives from the film industry. It’s also home of the BFI National Archive, where you can browse a vast collection of niche film and TV titles.