How long is the Bermondsey Beer Mile?

Despite the name, the full route from Druid Street to the southern end near South Bermondsey is closer to a mile and a half — about 30–35 minutes' walking without stops. Most people take an afternoon to do it properly.

Where does the Bermondsey Beer Mile start?

Most people start at the Druid Street end, an 8–10 minute walk from London Bridge station, and work south through Enid Street and the Spa Terminus. You can walk it in either direction.

What's the nearest station to the Bermondsey Beer Mile?

London Bridge (Jubilee, Northern and National Rail) is best for the Druid Street end; Bermondsey (Jubilee line) drops you mid-route; South Bermondsey (National Rail) suits the southern end.

What order should I do the Beer Mile in?

On Saturdays, note that some Spa Terminus venues, including The Kernel's taproom, keep earlier hours than the Druid Street arches — so if the Kernel is a must-visit, head there earlier in the day. Otherwise, north-to-south from Druid Street is the classic route.

When is the Bermondsey Beer Mile open?

Saturday is the classic day, when every taproom is open. Most arches also open Friday evenings and Sundays, but midweek opening is patchy — always check individual breweries before travelling on a weekday.

Is there a guided tour of the Bermondsey Beer Mile?

Yes — our guided Bermondsey Beer Tasting Tour runs for 2–3.5 hours, visits four taprooms with a beer included at every stop, and is led by a local guide. It's £49 per person and meets at Southwark Brewing Co on Druid Street.

Bermondsey Beer Mile Map & Route (2026)

Every week someone messages us asking for a Bermondsey Beer Mile map — and fair enough, because the Mile isn't signposted and the taprooms hide inside near-identical railway arches. This is the map and route we use ourselves, walking it every week as guides: every stop in order from the Druid Street end down to South Bermondsey, with walking times, the right stations and the mistakes that catch first-timers out. If you'd rather have a local handle the navigation (and the rounds), that's exactly what our guided Beer Mile tour is for.

The Beer Mile route at a glance

The Mile threads south-east along the railway arches from Druid Street (nearest London Bridge) through Enid Street and the Spa Terminus to the southern arches near South Bermondsey. Despite the name it's nearer a mile and a half end to end — about 30–35 minutes of walking before you factor in the important business of stopping.

A schematic, not to scale — the real thing wiggles through the arches. Open the walking route in Google Maps →

The route, stop by stop

Here's the classic north-to-south run. Distances are short at the top of the Mile and stretch out towards the end — pace accordingly.

Start — London Bridge station. Leave via the Tooley Street side and it's an 8–10 minute walk to Druid Street.
Stop 1: Southwark Brewing Co, 46 Druid St. A big, friendly taproom and the traditional first pint. It's also where our tour meets at noon.
Stops 2–4: the Druid Street arches. Anspach & Hobday, Hawkes cidery and Affinity sit within a couple of minutes of each other — the densest stretch of the whole Mile.
Stop 5: Maltby Street Market (Ropewalk). Not a brewery, but the smartest food stop on the route. Eat properly here; your future self will thank you.
Stops 6–8: the Enid Street run. Moor Beer, Brew By Numbers (BBNo) and Bianca Road, all along one street of arches.
Stop 9: The Kernel, Spa Terminus (Dockley Rd). The brewery that started it all. Note the earlier Saturday hours — see below.
Stop 10: Partizan Brewing, Raymouth Rd. A ten-minute walk south, and worth every step for the beer and the beautiful labels.
Finish: Spartan and Fourpure at the southern end. Fourpure's big taproom is a proper finish line, close to South Bermondsey station (trains to London Bridge) or a bus back north.

Want detail on what to order at each? Our Ultimate Beer Mile Guide covers every brewery in depth, and if you're curious how railway arches became the country's densest brewing strip, read the history of the Beer Mile.

Which direction should you walk it?

North to south (Druid Street first) is the classic: you start near London Bridge, the early stops are close together while the group is fresh, and you finish at Fourpure near a station. One big exception: on Saturdays, some Spa Terminus traders — including The Kernel's taproom — run earlier hours than the arches further north. If the Kernel is a must (it should be), either start south and walk the Mile in reverse, or hit Dockley Road by mid-afternoon.

Getting there and back

London Bridge — Jubilee, Northern and National Rail. Best for the Druid Street end and the classic starting point.
Bermondsey (Jubilee line) — drops you a short walk from the middle of the route, handy if you're only doing the Enid Street and Spa Terminus stretch.
South Bermondsey (National Rail) — the southern end, one stop from London Bridge. Ideal for finishing at Fourpure or for walking the Mile in reverse.

When to go (read this before you plan)

The single biggest first-timer mistake is turning up on a Tuesday. Saturday is the Beer Mile's day, when every taproom is open and the arches hum. Fridays from late afternoon and Sundays are good second choices, but midweek opening is patchy to non-existent — always check the individual breweries' hours before travelling on a weekday. Summer Saturdays and December get busy; arrive early or book a private group tour if there are more than six of you.

Five map-reading tips from your guides

The arches all look the same. Navigate by street (Druid → Enid → Dockley) rather than by eye — that's how the locals do it.
Don't try to do every stop. Six taprooms is the sweet spot of a six-hour day; that's exactly why our tour visits six.
Drink in halves and thirds. The distance is a mile and a half; the ABVs are not always sessionable. Our beer tasting guide explains how to taste more while drinking less.
Eat at Maltby Street. It's mid-route for a reason. There's no proper food south of the Spa Terminus.
Card, not cash. Every taproom on the Mile is card-friendly; several are card-only.

Or skip the map entirely

A map gets you to the doors; it can't tell you what's pouring well, which brewer is behind the bar, or the story of each arch. Our guided Bermondsey Beer Tasting Tour (£49pp, a tutored tasting at every one of four taprooms) handles the route, the rounds and the tales — we've been walking it since 2014. Make a full day of it with the free self-guided heritage walk or our Saturday cheese, meat & beer tour, and if you know someone who'd love it, gift vouchers arrive instantly by email.

Book the guided Beer Mile tour →