The Southwark Brewing Heritage Walk
Before the beer, the story. Walk it yourself, for free, in about two hours — from Borough Market to the site of the great Anchor Brewery, the Victorian Hop Exchange and The George Inn, a Grade I-listed coaching inn — finishing at Southwark Brewing on the Bermondsey Beer Mile, right where our tasting tour meets.
This one’s on us — no ticket, no booking. Our three guided tours are over here.
Two hours through brewing history
Walk it at your own pace, any day you like — four stops, roughly a mile and a half end to end.
Borough Market
Begin in the heart of London's oldest food market — the scene for centuries of Southwark brewing, trade and taverns.
The old Anchor Brewery
The site of one of the largest breweries the world had ever seen — and the story of how Southwark slaked London's thirst.
The Hop Exchange & The George Inn
The grand Victorian Hop Exchange, then inside The George Inn — the Grade I-listed, last galleried coaching inn in London.
Southwark Brewing Co
Finish on the Bermondsey Beer Mile at Southwark Brewing — exactly where our Bermondsey Beer Tasting Tour meets. Time it right and you can walk straight onto one.
Free and self-guided
No ticket, no booking, no fixed start time — just the route, the stops and the stories behind them.
Relaxed two-hour walk
An easy pace on foot through Borough and Southwark. Suitable for all, and good in most weather.
Pairs with a guided tour
It finishes where our Bermondsey Beer Tasting Tour meets — walk the history, then taste the beer.
Walked it? Now taste it
The walk finishes on the Bermondsey Beer Mile — the perfect place to pick up one of our three guided tasting tours, from £41.25 per person.
Heritage walk FAQs
How much does it cost?
Nothing — it’s a free self-guided route. There’s no ticket and nothing to book. If you’d like a guide and beer included, that’s what our three guided tours are for.
How long is it and how far do we walk?
About two hours at a relaxed pace, roughly a mile and a half through Borough and Southwark, finishing on the Bermondsey Beer Mile.
Does it include beer?
No — this one’s pure history. It finishes at Southwark Brewing though, so you’re well placed to carry on: our Bermondsey Beer Tasting Tour meets in the same spot.
When’s the best time to walk it?
Borough Market is liveliest Wednesday to Saturday, and the Bermondsey taprooms are at their best on a Saturday afternoon — so a Saturday morning start works nicely.