Page 189 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

SOUTHW ARK AND BANKSIDE  187

t HMS Belfast
The Queen’s Walk, SE1 2JH. Map 16 D3.
Tel 020 7940 6300. 1 London Bridge,
Tower Hill. Open Mar–Oct: 10am–
6pm daily (last adm 5pm); Nov–Feb:
10am– 5pm (last adm 4pm). Closed
24–26 Dec. & 7 limited. - =8
book in advance. ∑ iwm.org.uk/
visits/hms-belfast
Launched in 1938 to serve in
World War II, HMS Belfast was
instrumental in the destruction
of the German battle cruiser
Scharnhorst in the battle of
North Cape, and also played a
role in the Normandy Landings.
After the war, the battle cruiser,
designed for offensive action
and for supporting amphibious
operations, was sent to work for
the United Nations in Korea. The
ship remained in service with
the Royal Navy until 1965.
Market stalls in Bermondsey Square The only surviving World War II
cruiser, it has been used as a
coffee shops and a few excellent walk up the walkway to the floating naval museum since
restaurants. The area is also second floor to look in on 1971. Part of it has been recreated
famous for its antique market the assembly chamber, or sit in to show what the ship, and life
held in Bermondsey Square, at on Mayor’s Question Time when on board, was like in 1943 when
the bottom end of the street. assembly members interrogate it partici pated in sinking the
Each Friday morning, seriously the mayor on London issues, German battle cruiser. Visitors can
committed antiques dealers which takes place ten times a climb down narrow ladders to
trade their latest acquisitions year on Wednesday mornings the engine room 15 ft (4.5 m)
at Bermondsey Antiques Market (check website for dates). On the below sea level, and experience
on Bermondsey Square. Trading lower ground floor are temp orary what it was like in the gun turrets
starts at the crack of dawn, and exhibitions and there’s also a café. during a battle. The flag deck
the best bargains tend to go Outside, the stone amphi theatre gives amazing 360-degree views
before most people are even known as the Scoop hosts free of London. Exhibits also explore
awake. The Fashion and Textile summer events, including plays, the ship’s history post-World War
Museum puts on a programme music and cinema screenings. II, including during the Cold War.
of exhibitions covering all aspects
of fashion design, focusing on
single designers or broader
themes, and runs an education
programme. Further along the
street, White Cube Bermondsey
is a major space for international
contemporary art.

r City Hall
The Queen’s Walk SE1. Map 16 D4.
Tel 020 7983 4000. 1 London Bridge.
Open 8:30am–6pm Mon–Thu,
8:30am–5:30pm Fri. 7 -
∑ london.gov.uk/city-hall
The Norman Foster-designed
domed glass building just by
Tower Bridge is the headquarters
for London’s Mayor and the
Greater London Authority. Any-
one can visit the building and The familiar sight of the naval gunship HMS Belfast on the Thames

186-187_EW_London.indd 187 21/03/17 2:26 pm