More London Riverside
More London Riverside is a pedestrianised public space on the south bank of the River Thames that offers one of London's most iconic riverside views. The viewpoint takes in a sweeping panorama of the Thames, with Tower Bridge as the undisputed centrepiece, its Victorian Gothic towers and distinctive bascule spans creating an instantly recognisable silhouette. To the west, the view encompasses HMS Belfast permanently moored in the river, while thegleaming glass architecture of the City of London's financial district rises behind, including the distinctive shapes of the Walkie Talkie, the Cheesegrater, and the Gherkin. The riverside walkway provides an unobstructed vantage point across the water, making it particularly popular with photographers and visitors seeking that quintessential London shot.
The location itself sits within the More London development, a modern mixed-use estate that was developed in the early 2000s by Kuwaiti and British developers. The riverside promenade forms part of the Thames Path, the long-distance walking route that follows the river through London and beyond. The development was designed by Foster and Partners, with the outdoor spaces created to provide public realm and gathering areas alongside the office and commercial buildings. The most prominent structure adjacent to the viewpoint is City Hall, Norman Foster's distinctive curved glass building that served as the headquarters for the Greater London Authority and the Mayor of London from 2002 until 2021. The building's unusual leaning, spiral shape makes it an architectural landmark in its own right, and visitors to the riverside can walk right up to its amphitheatre-style sunken seating area known as The Scoop.
This stretch of the South Bank has undergone remarkable transformation over the past few centuries. In Victorian times, this area was dominated by wharves, warehouses, and industrial activities associated with the Pool of London, when the Thames was one of the world's busiest ports. Butler's Wharf and other warehouse complexes along this stretch handled goods from around the British Empire. The area fell into decline in the mid-twentieth century as containerisation moved shipping operations downstream to Tilbury and other deepwater ports. By the 1980s, much of the riverside here stood derelict or underused, before regeneration schemes began to transform the South Bank into the mixed residential, commercial, and cultural destination it is today. The construction of the More London development at the turn of the millennium represented the culmination of this transformation, replacing industrial buildings with contemporary architecture and creating new public spaces.
The view from More London Riverside has changed considerably even in recent decades, as the City of London skyline has been dramatically reshaped by tall buildings. While Tower Bridge has remained constant since its opening in 1894, the backdrop of church spires and Victorian commercial buildings has been joined and often overshadowed by glass and steel towers. The construction of buildings like 20 Fenchurch Street, the Leadenhall Building, and various towers around the eastern cluster of the City has created an ever-evolving skyline. The South Bank itself has also been transformed, with the addition of City Hall and the continuing development of former industrial sites into residential and commercial schemes stretching east toward Bermondsey and Rotherhithe.
For photographers and casual visitors alike, the viewpoint is spectacular at almost any time, but certain conditions create particularly memorable experiences. Sunrise can be glorious when viewing east toward Tower Bridge, with the low sun illuminating the bridge's stonework in warm tones and creating dramatic reflections on the river's surface. Golden hour in the evening, particularly in summer when the sun sets to the west behind the viewer, bathes the entire scene in rich, warm light. Night-time visits offer a completely different perspective, with Tower Bridge illuminated and the City's office towers creating a glittering backdrop of lit windows and architectural lighting. The view works in most weather conditions, though clear days obviously provide the sharpest vistas, while moody, cloudy skies can create atmospheric conditions beloved by photographers. Winter visits can be rewarding despite the cold, as low sun angles and the possibility of dramatic weather add interest to photographs.
The riverside walkway is entirely accessible, with level pedestrian surfaces throughout the More London estate. Wheelchair users and those with mobility limitations will find the area easy to navigate, with step-free access from surrounding streets. The nearest London Underground station is London Bridge, served by the Northern and Jubilee lines, approximately a five-minute walk away. London Bridge is also a major railway station with services from across South and Southeast England, making the location highly accessible by public transport. Alternative approaches include walking along the Thames Path from Tower Bridge to the east or from Southwark and Bankside to the west, both offering pleasant riverside strolls of ten to fifteen minutes. River bus services operated by Thames Clippers stop at nearby Tower Millennium Pier, providing an alternative and scenic approach by water.
The immediate vicinity offers numerous opportunities to extend a visit into a longer exploration of this part of London. City Hall's ground floor and outdoor amphitheatre occasionally host exhibitions and events, and when open, the building itself is worth exploring for its architecture. The Scoop, the sunken outdoor amphitheatre beside City Hall, hosts free outdoor entertainment during summer months, including film screenings, theatre performances, and concerts. Hay's Galleria, a covered shopping arcade in a beautifully restored Victorian wharf building, lies just to the east and houses cafes, restaurants, and shops. The area contains numerous dining options ranging from casual riverside cafes to upscale restaurants, making it easy to combine the viewpoint with a meal.
Tower Bridge itself is only a short walk away, and visitors can tour inside the bridge, walking across the high-level walkways with their glass floors and visiting the Victorian engine rooms that once powered the bascule mechanism. HMS Belfast, the Second World War cruiser permanently moored in the Thames between More London and the bridge, offers tours through its nine decks, providing insight into naval history and life at sea. The Design Museum at Shad Thames, a ten-minute walk east along the riverside, houses world-class exhibitions of contemporary design in a converted 1960s building redesigned by John Pawson. For those interested in continuing along the South Bank, the route west leads past Borough Market (one of London's finest food markets), Southwark Cathedral, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and ultimately the South Bank Centre and London Eye, creating an exceptional walking route through some of London's most culturally rich areas.
The More London Riverside viewpoint represents both a destination in itself and a waypoint on longer explorations of the Thames Path and South Bank. Its combination of iconic views, accessibility, and proximity to other attractions makes it a logical stopping point for visitors exploring this historically and culturally significant stretch of the river. The location exemplifies how London has successfully transformed former industrial waterfronts into vibrant public spaces while preserving the historic character of landmarks like Tower Bridge that give the city its distinctive identity.