Moving to London is exciting, but it can be a bit daunting too, especially if you don’t know much about the area you will be spending most of your time in. To help you start discovering the surroundings of your campus, here are our favourite highlights of each area.
Guy’s Campus
Guy’s campus is located in the area called London Bridge because – yes, you’ve guessed it – there is a bridge called London Bridge. London Bridge is actually the oldest bridge of London, the first wooden version was built by the Romans and the current one was opened in 1973. Not to be confused with Tower Bridge, which is actually the next one over the Thames. Between Tower Bridge and City Hall lies Potters Fields Park, which is a superb place to relax with views of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and the City’s skyscrapers.
If you are a foodie, you are in luck because there are lots of wonderful food places near Guy’s campus. One of them is Borough Market just down the road. You can buy fresh food (hot and cold) and yummy cakes, as well as enjoy the variety of amazing street food sold at the newly created food court. Doughnuts by Bake Ahead are a must-try. Down the road from Borough Market you can find one of the hottest street food courts: Mercato Metropolitano. Tasty food, wide variety of cuisines to choose from and cool atmosphere – this will be a favourite eat-out place in no time.
Also in just a short walk along the Thames you can indulge in cultural delights by paying a visit to Tate Modern or immersing yourself in stories at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Strand Campus
It doesn’t really get more central than this when it comes to the Strand campus location. Nearby attractions include Somerset House, Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, Covent Garden, St James’s Park, Buckingham Palace, Leicester Square, Soho… there is so much to discover, it is really hard to pick only a handful of highlights.
The Covered Market at Covent Garden is always a treat to visit, with street performers like magicians or opera singers always putting on a show. Soho Square with its enchanting Tudor-style cottage and Lincoln’s Inn Fields are great for relaxing on your own or with friends. Pop over to the courtyard of Somerset House and eat your lunch sitting on the steps, taking in the lovely view. Take a stroll along Victoria Embankment to wind down after a busy day on campus. It would take pages after pages to tell you about all the great things around here, so all we can say is go discovering!
Waterloo Campus
Another King’s campus located along the Thames. You can take in the views of the Houses of Parliament and London Eye while hanging out at Jubilee Gardens, get your dose of culture at Southbank Centre and the National Theatre, or stroll along the Thames after classes. Pie Minister at Gabriel’s Wharf is the place for you if you are yearning for proper pie (at student-friendly prices). If you are looking for more refined dining, you’ll be sure to find one along the Thames if you keep walking towards London Bridge. If you are a lover of street food markets, you should definitely pay a visit to Lower Marsh Market behind Waterloo station.
Denmark Hill Campus
As the only King’s campus that’s not located along the river, Denmark Hill is in one of London’s most exciting up-and-coming areas. The campus is just around the corner of Ruskin Park – the perfect place for your daily walk or run, relaxing, studying and hanging out with friends. Camberwell Church Street is a haven for students looking for affordable, but amazing restaurants – Instagram-worthy dishes guaranteed. The area has become a hotspot for creatives and self-made fashionistas, so why not pop into one of the local cafes and enjoy some people-watching?
For handy area guides, event updates and what-to-do inspirations, check out Time Out London and Londonist!