Last updated: 14 October 2026
Rotherhithe is a little village in the heart of London. It sits on a peninsula wrapped by the River Thames, just 15–20 minutes from bustling London Bridge, yet it feels a world away from the crowds.
It’s a bit of a hidden secret, and one the locals haven’t been too keen on sharing. And why would we? It’s a quiet, charming corner of London that’s perfect for a lazy Sunday stroll, with historic pubs, riverside views and barely a tourist in sight. It’s without doubt one of the best areas in London to explore on foot.
I lived in Rotherhithe for 4 years, walking my dog Sunny along the river and through its woodlands every single day, so it’s a place I know inside out. I still go back every few months to visit as we have friends there, and I just love it. I cannot believe all the changes that have happened each time we go back!
Whether you live in London or you’re visiting from further afield, this local’s guide covers the best things to see, eat and drink in Rotherhithe, organised into an easy riverside walking route.
Things to do in Rotherhithe at a glance
- Walk the Thames Path from Tower Bridge – one of London’s most scenic riverside walks, past old wharves and warehouses.
- Have a pint at The Mayflower – one of the oldest pubs on the Thames, by the spot where the Pilgrim Fathers’ ship set sail in 1620.
- Visit the Brunel Museum – the story of the world’s first tunnel under a navigable river, told on the spot where it was built.
- See St Mary’s Church – a beautiful 18th-century church in the heart of the old village.
- Meet the animals at Surrey Docks Farm – a free riverside city farm with a lovely café.
- Climb Stave Hill – a little man-made hill in Russia Dock Woodlands with panoramic views of the city.
- Stroll around Greenland Dock – the oldest of London’s riverside docks, dating back to the 1690s, with views of Canary Wharf.
- Spend an afternoon pub-hopping – Rotherhithe has some of London’s best riverside pubs, all within a short walk of each other.
How to get to Rotherhithe
Rotherhithe is easy to reach by public transport, and even easier on foot.
On foot (my favourite): walk along the river from London Bridge or Tower Bridge. The route follows the Thames almost the whole way, past historic Shad Thames and old wharves that are now stylish riverside flats. It takes around 30–40 minutes from Tower Bridge to the heart of Rotherhithe.
By Tube: take the Jubilee line to Canada Water. It’s just two stops from London Bridge, four from Waterloo and one from Canary Wharf.
By Overground: the Windrush line (the old East London line) stops at Rotherhithe, Canada Water and Surrey Quays. It runs directly from Shoreditch, Highbury & Islington, Clapham Junction and Crystal Palace, so you can get here in around 15–20 minutes from any of them.
By boat: the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers stops at Greenland Pier, at the far end of the peninsula. It’s a lovely way to arrive from Central London.
My Rotherhithe walking route
Rotherhithe is small and best explored on foot. Nearly everywhere is dog-friendly too, so bring your pooch along for the adventure.
The village itself runs along the river, but because it sits on a peninsula, it’s easy to loop round into neighbouring Canada Water and Surrey Quays. That’s exactly what this route does: it follows the Thames Path around the peninsula, with plenty of pub stops along the way.
From Tower Bridge to The Angel
From Tower Bridge, follow the river east through Shad Thames, with its cobbled lanes and old warehouse walkways overhead. Keep following the Thames Path signs onto Bermondsey Wall East, and you’ll soon arrive at the first stop.
The Angel
Strictly speaking, the Brunel Museum is the heart of Rotherhithe village. But I think the perfect place to start your walk is a historic riverside pub called The Angel, especially if you fancy a mini pub crawl.
On summer days, crowds of locals gather on the grassy patch behind it, and on the paved riverside next to the pub, with takeaway pints. In winter, grab a table in its cosy riverside room at the back. Legend has it that Captain Cook prepared for his voyage to Australia here!
King Edward III’s Manor House
Most people walk straight past without noticing, but directly opposite The Angel are the ruins of King Edward III’s Manor House. Built in the 1350s, it was once surrounded by a moat on three sides, with the Thames on the fourth, so the king could arrive by boat. Today, you can still see the low stone walls that marked out the house.
Rotherhithe Street and St Mary’s Church
Continue along the Thames Path through a couple of small parks, and after a few minutes you’ll reach Rotherhithe Street. The entrance is a cobbled, pedestrian-only lane between two apartment blocks.
Make sure to admire the converted wharf buildings (and steal a nosy peek into those stylish homes). Shortly afterwards, you’ll reach the beautiful St Mary’s Church, built in the early 1700s on the site of a much older church, with peaceful grounds. Cut through the churchyard to grab a coffee at the tiny Watch House café, once a lookout for guarding the graves against body snatchers, before heading back onto Rotherhithe Street.
The Mayflower
Next up is the wonderful Mayflower pub. Dating back to around 1550, it’s one of the oldest pubs on the Thames, and it stands right by the spot where the Mayflower ship set sail in 1620, carrying the Pilgrim Fathers to America. Look out for the plaque outside, then head through to the wooden deck, where a huge American flag hangs over the river. You can read more about the pub’s history here.
I’d highly recommend stopping for lunch and a drink. The food is excellent, and stepping inside is like going back in time.
The Brunel Museum
Just past the Mayflower is the Brunel Museum, and it’s well worth a visit. It tells the story of the Thames Tunnel, built by Sir Marc Brunel and his son Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the engineer later famous for the Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Great Western Railway. Opened in 1843, it was the first tunnel ever built under a navigable river, using a revolutionary tunnelling shield that paved the way for the London Underground.
The museum sits on top of the original entrance shaft, and the tunnel is still in use today, carrying Windrush line trains under the Thames between Rotherhithe and Wapping.
The museum is open 10.30-3.30 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. Adult tickets are £9 and include include access to both the Tunnel Shaft – the former pedestrian entrance to the Thames Tunnel – and to the Engine House which holds their collection and displays.
The Salt Quay
Carry on around the peninsula along the river, and you’ll reach The Salt Quay, with a spectacular waterside terrace and views right across London. It’s a great spot for a drink, though I’d recommend eating at the Mayflower or one of the other places in this guide first.
From here, keep following Rotherhithe Street, which is also signposted as the Thames Path. It weaves between wharf apartment blocks and runs right alongside the river, with little stretches of beach to explore at low tide (but definitely not for sunbathing!).
A little history
The old wharf buildings along Rotherhithe Street once housed seafarers and shipbuilders, with small bridges between buildings for moving goods. Rotherhithe was home to London’s first wet dock, Howland Great Wet Dock, built in the 1690s, and the area grew into the vast Surrey Commercial Docks, handling timber and grain from around the world. Much of the docks were badly damaged in WWII, and they finally closed in 1970. Most were then filled in as part of a huge regeneration, which is why you’ll find parks, woodland and housing where ships once moored.
The Blacksmiths Arms
As the gleaming towers of Canary Wharf come into view ahead, stop at The Blacksmiths Arms, a characterful pub with great food and a relaxed atmosphere. It was even once frequented by the Queen Mother! It’s only about a 15-minute walk from the Salt Quay.
Surrey Docks Farm
Keep going along Rotherhithe Street, past the green spaces of Durand’s Wharf, until you reach Surrey Docks Farm. If you’re here in the daytime, it’s well worth a stop. This charming riverside city farm has goats, pigs, sheep and more, plus a lovely café with outdoor seating. Entry is free.
The Ship & Whale
The final pub on my route is The Ship & Whale, a great spot for one last drink.
Heading home: Stave Hill or Greenland Dock
The Ship & Whale marks the end of my walking route, but not necessarily the end of your exploring. To get back to Canada Water or Surrey Quays station, you’ve got two lovely options.
Through Russia Dock Woodlands: this huge green space in the middle of the peninsula is a quiet oasis you’ll struggle to believe is so close to the city. There’s also an ecological park full of wildlife, popular with birdwatchers. Make sure to climb Stave Hill for magical views across London, especially at sunset.
Along Greenland Dock: wander past the boats moored in the dock, with incredible views back to Canary Wharf. It’s fully pedestrianised and lovely for a stroll.
Dinner at Canada Water Cafe or Plough Way Cafe
Before heading home, why not stop for dinner at one of my favourite neighbourhood Italians? Canada Water Cafe and its sister restaurant, Plough Way Cafe, are run by the same Italian team, with excellent food and a great cocktail list. I genuinely think they’re some of the best places for Italian food in London.
Where to eat and drink in Rotherhithe
Here’s my full list of the best places to eat and drink in Rotherhithe, including a few that aren’t on the walking route.
Cafés
- The Watch House café, by St Mary’s Church
- Bru Coffee, near Russia Dock Woodlands and Stave Hill
- Surrey Docks Farm café, on the river
Restaurants
- The Pear Tree at Greenland Place, by Greenland Dock – an excellent Australian-style café and brunch spot
- Canada Water Cafe, by Canada Water station – my favourite Italian
- Plough Way Cafe – Canada Water Cafe’s sister restaurant
- Cafe East, near Russia Dock Woodlands – amazing Vietnamese phở
- Leadbelly’s, by Canada Water station
Pubs and bars
- The Angel
- The Mayflower
- The Brunel
- The Salt Quay
- The Blacksmiths Arms
- The Ship & Whale
- Moby Dick, by Greenland Dock
Rotherhithe FAQs
Rotherhithe is in south-east London, in the borough of Southwark (postcode SE16). It sits on a peninsula on the south bank of the Thames, between Bermondsey and Deptford, directly opposite Wapping and Limehouse.
It’s pronounced “ROTH-er-hythe”, with the last part rhyming with “scythe”.
Yes, especially if you’d like to see a quieter, more local side of London. It’s packed with history, from the Mayflower pub to the Thames Tunnel, and it has some of the city’s best riverside pubs and walks, all just minutes from London Bridge.
Follow the Thames Path east along the south bank, through Shad Thames and along Bermondsey Wall East. It takes around 30 minutes to walk to the Mayflower pub. Alternatively, take the Jubilee line from London Bridge to Canada Water, which is just two stops.
It’s best known for its maritime history: the Mayflower’s departure in 1620, the Brunels’ Thames Tunnel, and the Surrey Commercial Docks, which once covered most of the peninsula.
Why I love Rotherhithe
So there you have it, my guide to this beautiful corner of London. Rotherhithe is a quiet, peaceful and scenic neighbourhood, with charming traditional pubs and some excellent lesser-known places to eat.
I loved living here, especially being so close to central London. Sunny and I walked through Russia Dock Woodlands and around Greenland Dock every single day, and I never tired of the views or the wildlife. With so many great places to eat and drink dotted around, I really believe Rotherhithe is one of the best places to visit in London.
I hope this guide inspires you to explore beyond the usual sights. For more ideas, read my local’s guide to the best areas to visit in London and my guide to where to eat in London Bridge, just along the river. As always, let me know in the comments if you have any questions!
Disclaimer: This guide has no involvement from the local tourism board or a hotel.
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Thanks a lot for all the helpful information about Rotherhithe!! 🙂
As a dog mum I’m very interested if it is common in that area that dogs are running around and playing in parks without a leash, like in victoria park for example.
Looking forward to your reply!! 🙂
Author
Hi Shireen, sorry for my late reply! I was a pup owner – and yes lots of dogs off leash in the various parks. Day times in the summer months was more difficult though as it could be very busy, but I guess dogs shouldn’t be running in the heat anyway! Hope that’s helpful 🙂