Overview

Southwark Cathedral historic building with a fascinating history. It's built in the gothic style, think smaller + more intimate version of Westminster Abbey (complement) with very friendly staff. There is stunning architecture, impressive nave with smaller side chapels and beautiful stained glass. It has links with William Shakespeare and his brother Edmund, who was also an actor, John Harvard, founder of Harvard University. In the Millennium Courtyard there is step free access and the Cathedral's café. This review is just for its self service café.

Transport & Parking

Nearest tube station is London Bridge, which has lift access between street and platform. There are also a number of buses that stop close by on London Bridge itself or in Borough High Street. From there it is a few minutes walk.

Access

On this visit I was visiting the Cathedral's café which has a step free entrance via the Millennium Courtyard, this faces towards the river rather than Borough Market side of the Cathedral. Entrance to the café is step free. There is a self service counter. There is free standing tables and chairs both inside and outside the café.

Toilets

This is the first time I have used the café since becoming disabled. The regular toilets are downstairs so I asked where their accessible toilet was. I was directed to the main building and from there saw a sign to the disabled toilets. While the route was step free it involved walking along a corridor to the entrance of the cathedral. The toilet requires a radar key. The accessible toilet was clean, spacious, there's grab rails, an emergency code which almost reached to the ground. There was also a fold down baby changing table. I didn't realise until I came home and looked in their online copy of Access for People with Special Needs that there is a second toilet, accessible by lift, which may or may not have been nearer.

Staff

All the staff were very welcoming. The lady serving at the café was very proactive, she said she would carry my tray over to the table for me. When I asked her where the disabled toilet, she said she wasn't sure and directed me inside the main building. Inside the Cathedral a lady got me the radar key straight away, as I don't have my own, and said that there is always one kept in the gift shop.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The café is a little oasis from busy Bankside and Borough Market. The self service café serves a good range of home made hot and cold food and drinks and is very reasonably priced for the area. The outdoor seating is in a courtyard so it is sheltered, tranquil spot.

Photos