Southwark, London

HMS Belfast, the last large cruiser of the Royal Navy, came into service in 1938. Only a few months later the ship was severely damaged by a German mine in the Firth of Forth. It did not become operational again until November 1942 and it subsequently played a major role in escorting convoys to Russia and more especially in the battle around the North Cape in December 1943 which ended with the sinking of the German "pocket" battleship Scharnhorst. In June 1944 the Belfast supported the landing of Allied troops on D-Day. After World War II the cruiser was engaged in operations in the Far East. In 1963 it was withdrawn from service and has been inaugurated as a museum ship, open to the public.

The Globe Theatre is being rebuilt as the centerpiece of the International Shakespeare Globe Centre, an educational and entertainment facility inspired by the late actor and director, Sam Wanamaker. Visitors can sit on benches or stand in the yard to watch plays performed in daylight just as they were four centuries ago. There is room for an audience of 1,500.Craftsmen used Elizabethan building techniques and traditional materials such as green oak, brick, lime, goat's hair and water-reeds to reconstruct this Tudor theater. The original theater was built in 1599 in Southwark. It was destroyed by fire in 1613 when a spark from a stage canon set light to the thatched roof during a performance of Henry VIII.In the undercroft of The Globe time capsules are buried which have been sent from schools around the world. They contain memorabilia such as programs and props from high school Shakespeare productions.The Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition presents the story of William Shakespeare's workplace - the Elizabethan bankside, London's first entertainment district. Guided tours explain how scholars, architects and archaeologists have worked to ensure an authentic reconstruction of The Globe, which is often referred to as the 'Wooden O' because of its magnificent circular thatched roof.

Frederick J. Horniman had many interests, particularly musical instruments and animals, and at the turn of the century he made his extensive collections available to the public. The "Music Room" includes a considerable number of wind and stringed instruments, as well as drums, rattles and other items of the percussion family. Comprehensive documentation and interactive video screens give insight into the history of music and the development of instrument making. Another feature of the museum provides a survey of the animal kingdom. A recent addition is a very interesting section about life-forms in water. The art nouveau building and gardens are worth a visit in their own right.It was designed by Charles Harrison Townsend and constructed from 1896-1901.

The Bermondsey or Caledonian Friday Market is the biggest flea market in the city. You can find almost anything at the market, including silverware, jewelry, antiques, fine furniture, china dolls, books and even navigational apparatus.It is reputedly a "hot market" in the early morning hours with stolen goods for sale, but this is largely rumour and visitors during regular hours will find everything quite normal.

The London Dungeon, British Tourist Authority award winner, is a gruesome display of the horrors of life in Britain from the Middle Ages to the 19th century - the murder of Thomas Becket, the Plague, the burning of martyrs at the stake, scenes of torture and the murders of Jack the Ripper - all with notices detailing the historical background. There are also curious and interesting displays illustrating life in the Middle Ages - food and drink, diseases, witchcraft and astrology.

The Cuming Museum presents the history of Southwark from the Romans to present day.The museum began with a collection from Henry Syer Cuming and his father, it was opened in 1906. Exhibits include objects from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and Oceania that were collected by the family.

The waterfront east of London Bridge to Tower Bridge and beyond into Shad Thames is being developed into a leisure and shopping complex under the name of "London Bridge City". A steel sculpture "The Navigator" by David Kemp forms a unique focal point in the attractive shopping arcade Hay's Galleria.

Situated on the site of the original Clink Prison, it is thought to be the oldest prison in England. Displays of torture devices, armor and traditional tools.

The George Inn was a famous coaching inn during the 17th C. It is still home to a traditional pub that is managed by a tenant of the National Trust.

English Heritage property in London's Southwark area. This 13th C town house, damaged by fire in 1814, was the home of the Bishops of Winchester.