Southbank architecture of reuse walking tour - Saturday 14 March 2026 2pm
Regular price £19.50
Join Open City for a walking tour exploring the past, present and future of architecture on the Southbank
This fun and engaging walking tour — led by architect and Golden Key Academy graduate Noel Wright — tells the story of several landmark buildings along the south side of the River Thames that have been imaginatively repurposed as part of the area’s radical transformation from an industrial waterfront to a cultural and recreational district. We look at what conditions brought about these bold changes and the different design approaches that informed the transformation of these structures from serving one use to another.
Exploring London’s most popular and dramatic waterfront, the tour discusses how new approaches to regeneration in the late 20th century prioritized adaptation over starting anew. Looking at iconic structures such as the former Bankside Power Station, FT Building and Oxo Tower Wharf — it will discuss the economic, environmental, aesthetic and other reasons which continue to fuel the search for alternative functions for key waterfront structures once their original purpose has passed.
Highlights of the tour include Oxo Tower Wharf and the neighbouring Bargehouse, originally constructed as a power station and now a mixed-use building owned by the non-profit Coin Street Community Builders; the 1970s Southbank Tower designed by the renowned postwar architect Richard Seifert which has recently been redeveloped as housing and extended upwards; Tate Modern by the acclaimed Swiss stars Herzog & de Meuron; and Blackfriars Rail Bridge which was transformed and given a roof of photovoltaic solar panels as part of the £6 billion Thameslink upgrade programme by Will Alsop.
This tour will explore the architectural history and changing appearance of this prominent south London area which went from being an industrial heartland to a recreational and cultural hub during the 20th Century.
Key information
Meet: Southwark Cathedral SE1 9DA. Meet your tour guide in the courtyard area which forms the main entrance to the cathedral on Montague Close.
End: Near to Bernie Spain Gardens, SE1.
Duration: 2 hrs approx
Distance: 2 km
Meet the tour guide ....
Noel Wright is an architect typically working on range of smaller scale building projects such as new houses, refurbishments and listed buildings. He has a strong interest in environmental issues and is a qualified Passivhaus designer. This tour reflects his interest in how and why we adapt and fix things, and the understanding that this process lends itself to a diverse and meaningful environment.
Wright is a graduate of the 2021 Golden Key Academy — a masterclass for urban and architectural tour guiding run by Open City. He joined the Open City tours team in December 2021.
Please select solidarity pricing if you feel you can help our charity to offer reduced concessionary tickets to others who require them.
We offer reduced-price tickets for people who are currently without paid work (e.g. job seekers or those on income support). If you are retired and income support not apply to you please select the Over 65s ticket, which also includes a discount.
We aim to be inclusive and accessible where possible, please contact Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk to discuss your accessibility needs, reduced ticket prices and if you require a free carer ticket.
Tickets are non-refundable and tours go ahead rain or shine. Photography may be taking place on any of our tours, please indicate on the day if you do not want to be in any of the photos.
* Please check for any planned transport engineering works, planned strike action or large scale events that may affect your journey before making your ticket purchase *
If you find you can no longer make the tour for any reason including Covid we are unable to transfer you to another date, but please feel free to pass your booked place onto a friend to go and enjoy the tour in your place.
In the event your tour date is cancelled you will be issued with a credit note (with no expiry date) that you can use to
- book onto a rescheduled date
- book onto any other tour from our programme
or you can request a refund.
All ticket purchases are in support of the work of our organisation including our pioneering education programmes. We really appreciate your support!
Get in touch with Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk with any queries.
