Bankside at work: 10 overlooked lives from London’s Other Side
Bert Hardy plaque, The Priory, 47-55 Webber Street, London, Greater London, SE1 0RQ
Start beside the Bert Hardy plaque on The Priory in Webber Street and follow six source-backed audio stories across Bankside. The route is roughly 1.8 kilometres and takes about 30 minutes, including the audio.
Hear how Bert Hardy rose from a crowded childhood home to defend photographic truth; meet the fire chief who transformed London’s brigade and later gave his name to a Dunkirk fireboat; remember the thousands buried at Crossbones; visit the first block built by Sydney Waterlow’s workers’ housing company; discover how a condemned English translation reached the king’s licensed Bible; and finish with Sam Wanamaker’s long campaign to rebuild Shakespeare’s Globe.
The walk ends on the public riverside outside Shakespeare’s Globe. No guide or event staff will meet you, and no building entry is included.
Cannot visit Bankside? The free WanderWalk app includes the full 10-story collection, which you can hear from anywhere.
The walk and collection launch on 11 September 2026 for Heritage Open Days. No subscription, payment card or booking is needed. You need an iPhone running iOS 17 or later, Wi-Fi or mobile data and speakers or headphones.
Timings
- Friday 11 September:
- 0800-1900. Self-guided walk available; online collection available anytime.
- Saturday 12 September:
- 0800-1900. Self-guided walk available; online collection available anytime.
- Sunday 13 September:
- 0800-1900. Self-guided walk available; online collection available anytime.
- Monday 14 September:
- 0800-1900. Self-guided walk available; online collection available anytime.
- Tuesday 15 September:
- 0800-1900. Self-guided walk available; online collection available anytime.
- Wednesday 16 September:
- 0800-1900. Self-guided walk available; online collection available anytime.
- Thursday 17 September:
- 0800-1900. Self-guided walk available; online collection available anytime.
- Friday 18 September:
- 0800-1900. Self-guided walk available; online collection available anytime.
- Saturday 19 September:
- 0800-1900. Self-guided walk available; online collection available anytime.
- Sunday 20 September:
- 0800-1900. Self-guided walk available; online collection available anytime.
Location & directions
Bert Hardy plaque, The Priory, 47-55 Webber Street, London, Greater London, SE1 0RQ
- Directions:
- Start at the Bert Hardy blue plaque on the street-facing wall of The Priory, 47-55 Webber Street, London SE1 0RQ. Nearest Tube: Southwark (Jubilee line), about five minutes’ walk.
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
The roughly 1.8-kilometre walk uses public pavements and includes road crossings, busy areas and uneven or cobbled surfaces. Temporary works may require a diversion. There are no event staff or dedicated toilets. The full collection can be heard without walking. You need an iPhone running iOS 17 or later, internet access and speakers or headphones. WanderWalk is not available on Android.
Additional information
The walk is self-guided and starts and finishes in different places. Pause audio at road crossings and keep headphone volume low. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The walk may request location access for route guidance; the remote collection does not need it. Stories include death, poverty, war and exclusion from burial. If you cannot walk the route, hear the full collection from anywhere.
- Estimated duration:
- 0 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
