How to Spend a Day at the Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre is best known for its impressive brutalist architecture and genre-spanning performance schedules at the Royal Festival and Queen Elizabeth Halls. But how much is there to do beyond seeing a show at this sprawling and surprising Grade II-listed site on the South Bank? From riverside cafes and contemporary art to quiet reading spots and family-friendly activities, we spent the day at the Southbank Centre to find out what’s worth exploring before curtain-up.
At a Glance
| Nearest Station | Waterloo |
| Open From… | 10am Tuesday-Sunday |
| Good For | Art lovers, families, casual exploring |
| Best Free Activity | Exploring outdoor artworks and architecture |
| Best Paid Activity | Hayward Gallery exhibitions & building tours |
| Hidden Gem | The Little Library (great for kids) |
First Impressions
Although the Southbank Centre is made up of several concrete and glass buildings, it still manages to be a welcoming space from the moment you arrive. The foyer area of the Royal Festival Hall is open, for free, to all from 10am to 11pm Tuesday-Sunday, with plenty of tables and chairs around the Level 2 foyer.
What stood out was how comfortable you feel to actually linger in the building. Before I went off to explore, I grabbed a coffee and a fresh croissant from the Ballroom Cafe and sat down for a couple of hours to get some work done. It was a great spot for people-watching, and even on a weekday, the atmosphere was lively, with remote workers, school trip groups and dance rehearsals all sharing the same open foyer spaces. Nobody felt rushed or in the way, which makes a refreshing change from many of the West End theatres across the river that only open their bars 90 minutes before a show.
Before you head inside, I recommend taking a stroll around the exterior. On Mandela Walk, there are lots of restaurants and the Southbank Centre shop – selling souvenirs, trinkets and books – while on the riverfront itself is a changing range of outdoor artworks to be enjoyed by everyone passing by.
There’s also the undercroft, a London landmark for skaters, and a rooftop garden above Queen Elizabeth Hall if you fancy an oasis amongst all the concrete.
Family-Friendly Activities
The Southbank Centre is very welcoming for families and children, with kids’ shows programmed year-round and free activities throughout the building.
As I walked around, I came across Replay, a playspace built entirely of recycled materials, which has taken over the Spirit Level area of Royal Festival Hall. Disappointingly, you have to be under 11 to use it, but it looked like great fun!
While it’s easy to wander around inside the Southbank Centre’s spaces unguided, I chose to use the Quentin Blake installation, The Southbank Parade, as a bit of a scavenger hunt. This new trail was created as part of the venue’s 75th anniversary celebrations in 2026.
If you’re visiting with children and looking for somewhere a little quieter to catch your breath, just outside the National Poetry Library on level 5 is the Little Library, a quiet space with a selection of children’s poetry and picture books. The on-site cafes are also very child-friendly – bright and airy with high chairs for little ones, and you’ll often see groups with toddlers and younger kids enjoying a catch up in the communal spaces.
Exploring Southbank Centre Exhibitions
After lunch, some visual art seemed like a good way to have a slow walk around. The Hayward Gallery is tucked away behind the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the same level as the Royal Festival Hall.
The Hayward is a relatively small gallery, but it hosts a world-renowned programme of contemporary art. When I visited, the exhibitions were by Tin Xiuzhen and Chiharu Shiota, and both were textile-based.
Visiting on a weekday afternoon meant the gallery was relatively quiet, and I spent about an hour and a half enjoying both exhibitions before browsing the Hayward Gallery shop on my way out.
Southbank Centre Restaurants, Cafes & Bars
The Southbank Centre is a bit of a warren, but don’t worry… you won’t have any problems finding something to eat and drink.
At weekends, the Southbank Centre Food Market fills the riverside with street food stalls selling everything from pad thai to Venezuelan arepas (a Team SeatPlan favourite). Sadly, I visited on a Wednesday, so there was nothing there, but from previous visits I can confirm there are some great choices – but not much space to sit!
After exploring, I stopped at the Festival Bar & Kitchen for a pizza lunch. Freshly made to order, a whole pizza to myself was maybe a bit more than I needed, but it really was delicious, and I have very few regrets!
I was still a bit full by evening, but for anyone wanting to eat on-site, the Skylon restaurant looked like a great pick for a pre-show dinner. The menu serves modern British plates (including Sunday lunch) alongside a cocktail and wine bar, and to top it off you’ll enjoy floor-to-ceiling views of the Thames.
Before the Show
Ahead of the show, I headed back up to level 5 and the Seventy5th bar for a drink while I read the programme and relaxed.
As there had been all day, there was plenty of space to sit without feeling like you’re in the way, which can be the case in some theatres. There’s also plenty of outdoor space, and in the summer, the terrace in front of the Royal Festival Hall becomes a busy outdoor bar with plenty of seating and tables.
Final Thoughts
The Southbank Centre was a great place to come and spend the day. There’s space to work if you’re on the clock, and it was nice to have plenty of options for food and drink, as well as different spaces to sit.
As an arts centre rather than purely a performance venue, there always seems to be something on for all ages, so it’s a great spot if you’re travelling with kids and want something a little off the beaten path and maybe a little bit smaller than the major museums and tourist attractions.
Bonus Tip: There are usually Southbank Centre building tours that run during the week – these weren’t scheduled the day I was there, so I’m going to return to experience one!
Want to See a Show at the Southbank Centre?
From family shows and classical concerts to live comedy and contemporary dance, there’s always something happening at the Southbank Centre. Browse upcoming events at the Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall and book tickets for your next visit – and don’t forget to explore while you’re there!
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