Belvedere Road · South Bank · London SE1 8XX
Southbank Centre: our side of the river
Almost every major London venue sits north of the Thames, which from Kent means a bridge or a tunnel and a crawl across the centre. The Southbank Centre does not. It is on the south bank, which makes it the easiest large arts venue in London for us to reach.
The Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Purcell Room, plus the Hayward Gallery, all within one riverside complex. Which hall you are in changes where we set you down, so it is worth knowing.
One complex, several very different rooms
People say Southbank Centre when they mean one of four spaces. Each has its own entrance and its own character.
Around 2,700
The big one. Orchestral concerts, large-scale gigs and the main riverside frontage.
Around 900
Contemporary music and smaller ensembles, in the brutalist block behind.
Around 360
Chamber music and spoken word. Intimate, and easy to leave.
Exhibitions
Daytime rather than evenings, and a different traffic pattern entirely.
The Southbank year
The complex runs a programme most days of the year, and the December market changes the whole area.
| When | What is on | Travel note |
|---|---|---|
| Year round | Classical, contemporary and spoken word | Punctual finishes, usually before 22:30. |
| Summer | Outdoor events and the riverside terraces | The whole South Bank is busy from lunchtime. |
| December | The Winter Market along the river | Central London's worst traffic month, and a very crowded riverside. |
| School holidays | Family programming | Daytime, with pushchairs and a lot of kit. |
| Festival periods | Meltdown and similar | Later finishes and a younger crowd than usual. |
Why this one is easier from Kent
No river crossing needed. The A2 and A20 run into the south side of central London and stop there.
| Pick-up area | Distance | Evening out | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bexleyheath & Welling | 11 miles | 35–60 min | 25–40 min |
| Bromley & Orpington | 12 miles | 40–65 min | 30–45 min |
| Sidcup & Bexley | 12 miles | 35–60 min | 25–40 min |
| Dartford & Bluewater | 19 miles | 50–75 min | 35–50 min |
| Gravesend & Northfleet | 24 miles | 55–85 min | 40–55 min |
| Sevenoaks & Tonbridge | 25 miles | 55–80 min | 40–55 min |
| Rochester & Chatham | 33 miles | 65–95 min | 50–65 min |
| Canterbury & Ashford | 58 miles | 90–120 min | 75–90 min |
Practical notes for the South Bank
Belvedere Road, not the riverside
The complex presents itself to the river, and the riverside walk is pedestrian only. Vehicles use Belvedere Road behind the buildings, which is where set-down and collection happen. It is a two-minute walk through to the halls and it is the only option, so it is worth knowing which side you are being dropped.
The finishes are reliable
Concert-hall programming runs to published times in a way that arena shows do not. A seven-thirty start with an interval finishes close to ten, every time. That predictability lets us set a precise collection rather than a window, which is why these are among the smoothest evenings we run.
December is the exception to everything
The Winter Market runs the length of the riverside and the whole South Bank becomes one of the busiest places in London. Journey times in and out rise substantially, the walk from Belvedere Road takes longer because of the crowds, and we build a much larger margin into the departure.
It pairs well with dinner
There are restaurants within the complex and along the riverside, and because you are already south of the river the journey in is short enough to arrive early without effort. From most of Kent you can leave after work, eat properly, and still be seated before the doors close.
Southbank Centre questions
Halls, access and the December problem.
Which hall am I going to?
Check your ticket. The Royal Festival Hall holds around 2,700, the Queen Elizabeth Hall around 900 and the Purcell Room around 360. They share a complex but have separate entrances.
Where does the car drop off?
Belvedere Road, behind the buildings. The riverside frontage is pedestrian only, so there is no vehicle access on that side. It is a short walk through to any of the halls.
Why is this easier than other London venues?
Because it is on the south bank. From Kent there is no bridge or tunnel and no crawl across the centre, which takes a meaningful amount of time off both legs.
What time do concerts finish?
Usually before half ten, and reliably close to the published time. Concert halls run to schedule in a way arenas do not, so we can set a precise collection.
Is December different?
Considerably. The Winter Market runs along the riverside and the area becomes extremely busy, with much longer journey times in and out. We build a larger margin into the departure.
Can we eat there first?
Yes, and it works well. There are restaurants in the complex and along the river, and the short journey from Kent means arriving early is easy.
Is it accessible?
Tell us what you need at booking and we will set down as close to your hall's entrance as Belvedere Road allows. The complex itself publishes its own access information.
Is the fare fixed?
Yes, agreed at booking and unaffected by traffic or an overrunning programme.
Concert halls and guides
The formal end of our London diary.