Borough Market, The Globe, Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge and St Paul's - Running and Walking Route (2.1 km)
- Philip Carey
- Oct 13, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 21
Running and Walking Route Overview
Route: 9 of 16 — Across London Visual Marathon.
Start: London Bridge Station
Finish: St Paul's Station
Distance: 2.1 km
Estimated Time: 10-20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time: Early morning weekends
Overview: A short but culturally rich riverside route from London Bridge Station through Borough Market, past Shakespeare's Globe and Tate Modern, across the Millennium Bridge, to St Paul's Underground Station — two cathedrals and 2,000 years of London culture in 2.1 km
The Experience
Starting at London Bridge Station, this 2.1 km self-guided running and walking route traces the cultural heart of London: from Borough Market — the city's oldest food market, trading for over 1,000 years — along the Bankside riverside to Shakespeare's Globe, Tate Modern, and across the Millennium Bridge to St Paul's Cathedral, finishing at St Paul's Underground Station. This stretch of the South Bank was London's original entertainment district in Tudor times, and today it reclaims that role with world-class food, theatre, and art. Two iconic cathedrals. One unforgettable mile (and a bit).
The Familiarisation Guide
Essential information to help you become familiar with the route before you arrive.
Maps
Use the Google and Strava maps below to stay on track. They show your location relative to the route, helping you explore confidently without getting lost.
Please note: These don't provide turn-by-turn directions—we want you present and alert, using your senses, not glued to your screen.
Both maps will open in a new tab.
Watch the Route at Running Speed (Treadmill Version) 9:33
See the route from a runner's perspective as if you were running at 12 km/h. Watch this before you go to familiarise yourself visually with what's ahead.
What to Know Before You Go
Best Time to Stride:
The route can get crowded, so it's best to do this in the early morning—especially at weekends when it's quiet, the light is at its best, and you have the whole day ahead of you.
Why Mornings are best:
In the early morning, the Millennium Bridge is nearly empty, offering unobstructed views of St Paul's dome. Borough Market is preparing for the day, and the riverside belongs to you.
Borough Market:
Open six days a week, closed Mondays.
Tuesday–Friday: 10:00–17:00
Saturday: 09:00–17:00
Sunday: 10:00–16:00
Terrain Note:
Mainly off-road, but can be crowded around Borough Market, St Paul's, and Millennium Bridge. Uneven surfaces around Borough Market and Clink Street.
Top Tip:
Have this guide and your chosen map (Google or Strava) available on your mobile for quick reference.
The Route Connoisseur Guide
Don't just run the route - get to know it!
Eating and drinking areas
Things to Do and Visit,
Sightseeing Gallery
Where to Eat & Drink
Prime Dining Areas:
Borough Market and Watling Street – The most variety
London Bridge Area – Numerous options
Gabriel's Wharf – Riverside dining
Bankside – Scattered options with character
Around St Paul's – More spread out but quality choices
Best for Pubs and Bars:
Borough High Street/Market area
Around St Paul's Cathedral
Things to Do
Ticketed Attractions:
The View from The Shard – London's tallest building
St Paul's Cathedral – Climb to the top for panoramic views
Tate Modern – World-class modern art (free entry, some exhibitions ticketed)
Guildhall Art Gallery – Historic art collection
Clink Prison Museum – Medieval prison experience
The Golden Hinde – Tudor ship replica
Shakespeare's Globe – Theatre tours and performances
Two Cathedrals:
Southwark Cathedral – At the start
St Paul's Cathedral – At the finish
Free to Explore:
Borough Market – Browse and sample (purchases optional)
Bankside – Historic riverside walk
Millennium Bridge – Stunning pedestrian crossing with City views
Shakespeare's Globe exterior – Appreciate the architecture
The Sightseeing Guide
Once you know the route, dive deeper into the stories and sights that make this stride special.
Key Sights Along the Way
Borough Market
The Shard
Southwark Cathedral
The Golden Hinde
The Clink Prison Museum
The Anchor Pub
Shakespeare's Globe
Tate Modern
Millennium Bridge
St Paul's Cathedral
Explore the gallery below for photos, history, and the stories behind each location.
360° Virtual Tour
Step into the route before you stride it—or relive your experience afterwards. Click the map below to explore interactive 360° views at key locations along the way.
The virtual tour opens in a new tab with a map showing all 360° locations. Click any location icon to be transported to that spot.
Follow-on Routes
Stride It Backwards:
Complete the route in reverse to experience London's ancient heart from a different perspective.
Previous Route: City Tour: Skyscrapers, Bank of England and The Shard – 4.0 km
Alternative Previous Route: Tower of London, Old Billingsgate & the Monument – 1.5 km
Complete The City of London Collection Challenge- 14.4km:
This route is number 9 and the fourth one in the City of London collection
