{"product_id":"south-bank-architecture-walking-tour-saturday-25-july-2026-10am","title":"South Bank architecture walking tour - Saturday 25 July 2026 10am","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" class=\"sqsrte-large\"\u003eJoin Open City for a walking tour exploring the remarkable growth and transformation of London’s South Bank\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" class=\"\"\u003eLed by Golden Key Academy graduate Nic Durston, this engaging tour traces the story of the South Bank from the mid-nineteenth century through the twentieth century and into the new millennium. It’s a story of regeneration, renewal, redevelopment and reinvention — shaped by bold architecture, iconic buildings and a rich culture of design and creativity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" class=\"\"\u003eBut South Bank’s story is also about people. Residents, campaigners and local communities have played a vital role in shaping one of London’s most distinctive and authentic neighbourhoods, ensuring it remains a place where culture, public life and everyday London intersect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" class=\"\"\u003eStarting at Jubilee Gardens — the site of the 1951 Festival of Britain — the tour explores a remarkable concentration of pioneering architecture along the River Thames. Along the way we’ll encounter landmarks including the London Eye, Royal Festival Hall, National Theatre and BFI Southbank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" class=\"\"\u003eWe’ll also look at key moments in South Bank’s regeneration, including the revival of the OXO Tower and the community-led development of the Coin Street Estate. The River Thames will remain a constant companion throughout the walk, offering a lens through which to understand the area’s past, present and future. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey information\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeet:\u003c\/strong\u003e The flagpole on The Queen’s Walk SE1 8XX. The flagpole is located between the river and Jubilee Gardens, near the “Jubiloo” (toilets)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat3words location:\u003c\/strong\u003e \/\/\/love.duty.truck\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2nd stop on the tour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jubilee Gardens \/ Statue to the International Brigades. What3words location: \/\/\/suffer.crowds.hurt\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnd:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bankside Hotel SE1 9JU. Near to the junction of Blackfriars Road and Upper Ground \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDuration:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 hrs approx\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 miles\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccess notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e The route is fully accessible and can be completed without any steps. There is a South Bank section on AccessAble’s website: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.accessable.co.uk\/london-south-bank\"\u003e\u003cu\u003eAccessAble - Your Accessibility Guide\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePhoto:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eRoyal Festival Hall and Shot Tower c.1959\u003c\/em\u003e by \u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/www.geograph.org.uk\"\u003eDavid Wright\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed under \u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/\"\u003eCC BY-SA 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e. Via \u003ca class=\"underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current\/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current\" href=\"https:\/\/www.geograph.org.uk\"\u003eGeograph\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMeet the tour guide ...\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eNic Durston is Chief Executive of South Bank Employers’ Group and South Bank Business Improvement District. Both are not for profit organisations that support, fund and enable a range of place-oriented programmes and services in the South Bank and Waterloo neighbourhood, including safety and security, cleaning, destination marketing, sustainability, and advocacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eA graduate of Open City’s Golden Key Academy in 2021, Nic has lived, worked and studied in London for nearly 40 years. He joined the Open City tours team in February 2026.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\" data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhoto:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Royal_Festival_Hall_and_Shot_Tower_c1959.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eRoyal Festival Hall and Shot Tower c.1959\u003c\/em\u003e by David Wright, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. 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