Nestling neatly between the Hungerford and Waterloo Bridges in central London is the Southbank Centre, a collection of performance and arts venues that are a must for culture vultures from across the globe. Originally constructed as part of the Festival of Britain in 1951, it includes the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Hayward Gallery. An astounding programme of cultural events – from visual art and music to literature workshops and performance take place here. You can expect a well-curated line-up that straddles world-class artists, niche poetry, music festivals and everything in between. The Grade 1 listed Royal Festival Hall is at the heart of the complex, where you’ll find – among many other things – a 2,700-seater auditorium and the National Poetry Library. The neighbouring Hayward Gallery is a stunning piece of brutalist architecture and plays host to a range of inspiring and adventurous artists. With its central London location, riverside setting and unique cultural history the Southbank Centre is a venue for all occasions. And getting here is pretty easy with Waterloo station just a five-minute walk away and there are enough bars and restaurants to keep you going from morning till night!
