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People relaxing in the QEH Roof Gardens. Photo: Arnaud Mbaki. Image courtesy of Southbank Centre.
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People relaxing in the QEH Roof Gardens. Photo: Arnaud Mbaki. Image courtesy of Southbank Centre.
Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden and Cafe at Southbank Centre
Location
Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden and Cafe at Southbank Centre
- Address
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Rooftop, Queen Elizabeth Hall
Belvedere RoadSouthbank CentreSE1 8XX
About
Enjoy coffee with a view on the Southbank at Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden and Cafe.
From the river walk you could easily pass by without realising it was there, but climb the steps at the side of the Queen Elizabeth Hall and you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views.
Buy your lunch or snacks from the cafe and find a spot to sit among the planters of fragrant shrubs or among the birch and fruit trees. It is particularly atmospheric on a summer’s evening when lights flicker among the greenery.
What is there to see at Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden and Cafe at Southbank Centre?
There can be few places where a walk up some concrete steps leads to something as special as the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden.
Created among the brutalist architecture of the Southbank Centre on what was a car park, this green sanctuary surrounded by concrete jungle is a city-centre oasis boasting panoramic views that take in swathes of the river Thames, the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral and Big Ben.
With a cafe and bar offering snacks, light meals, non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, it’s an ideal central London meeting place - a place to get lost in a book, work remotely, or catch up with friends.
Sit among the trees, potted plants and wildflowers, which are maintained by Grounded EcoTherapy, a charity that works with volunteers who have faced mental health issues, addiction and homelessness.
Can you eat and drink at Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden and Cafe at Southbank Centre?
The bar and cafe offers hot and cold drinks, snacks, sandwiches, sharing boards, cakes and pastries. There’s also cocktails, mocktails, beers, ciders, wines and sangria.
Is Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden and Cafe at Southbank Centre free to visit?
Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden and Cafe is free to visit.
Where is Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden and Cafe at Southbank Centre?
The Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden and Cafe is in central London next to Waterloo Bridge and between the Royal Festival Hall and the National Theatre on the south bank of the river Thames.
How do I get to Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden and Cafe at Southbank Centre?
The closest Tube station is Waterloo (Northern, Bakerloo, Jubilee and Waterloo and City lines), which is a five-minute walk away.
Alternatively, Embankment Tube station (District and Circle lines) is a 10-minute walk.
The nearest train stations are Waterloo, a five-minute walk away, Waterloo East, eight- minutes and Charing Cross, 12-minutes away.
Several bus routes stop close to Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden, as do river buses.
What are the opening hours at Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden?
The Roof Garden is open from Wednesday to Sunday and bank holiday Mondays, 12pm to dusk. The Cafe and Bar are open Wednesday to Friday from 4pm to dusk, and Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday Monday, 12pm to dusk.
The Roof Garden may be closed in bad weather and for private events so make sure you check the website before visiting.
Important information
The roof garden is open from spring until autumn. Please check the venue website for opening dates and times.
Facilities & Accessibility
See detailed accessibility information for this venue on AccessAble