The area around Tower Bridge is densely packed with some of the capital’s ‘greatest hits’ – from the Tower of London to the world’s most famous bridge.

But the area now offers so much more than just the sights. This is squaremile.com, after all, so let us take you on a tour of our favourite haunts in this part of the City.

Restaurants

Gunpowder

This modern Indian tucked away in Duchess Walk exemplifies everything we love about Indian cuisine.

The dishes aim high, don’t rely too much on snazzy bells and whistles, and hit their mark with an astonishing accuracy. Crispy aloo chaat topped with sour-sweet yoghurt and drenched in spicy oil is one of the standouts.

So, too, is sea bass paturi maach – tender mustard fish steamed in banana leaf and served fogging at its verdant seams.

Restaurant Story

Restaurant Story has held a Michelin star pretty much since it opened in 2013 – and a recent renovation has brought it bang up to date.

You can expect razor-sharp service and a menu full of contemporary – often surprising – dishes from its lilting and indulgent tasting menu.

Hutong

Hutong’s menu revolves around contemporary and classy Northern Chinese food, accompanied by sumptuous interior design and a vibrant atmosphere.

Its signature lunch menu showcases staples of Chinese eating in London – from delicious crispy Peking duck pancakes to house signatures, such as the spicy and fragrant aubergine tempura and the iconic crispy sea bass fillet.

There’s also a brilliant wine list, as well as beautiful cocktails and a presentation that’s as artful as it is appetising.

Le Pont de la Tour

After 25 years, one of London’s prime dining spots is set to become a culinary destination once again thanks to an impressive overhaul by Russell Sage Studio.

The restaurant is housed in Butler’s Wharf, a Grade II-listed warehouse and prime riverfront location.

The menu draws inspiration from classic French cuisine, with highlights including poached turbot with leeks and cauliflower, served with a silky sweet crab sauce.

Members' Club

Ten Trinity Square

Alongside a cigar lounge, billiards room, private dining and meeting rooms, the club has two restaurants catered for by multi-Michelin-star French chef Anne-Sophie Pic.

But the wine is where Ten Trinity Square turns it up to 11. Partnering with the internationally acclaimed Chateau Latour – a world first for the Médoc vineyard – the club offers some of the winery’s best vintages to members, including an incredible Château Latour Discovery Room for true oenophiles.

Bars

Traders

With a name inspired by the merchant ships that would’ve sailed passed the building for centuries, it makes sense that Traders is stocked full of provisions: wine, cheese, charcuterie – a holy trinity when it comes to good bars.

Choose the terrace seating right on the water’s edge, watch the sun glimmer on the river and breathe… oh, and make sure your bag has enough room for a bottle to go, the selection is simply too good not to take one with you. (After you’ve paid for it, of course.)

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GŌNG

Located on Level 52 of The Shard, GŌNG is the highest hotel bar in Western Europe.

Enjoy a refreshing cocktail with a panorama of the capital that you won’t find matched anywhere else.

The bar has three distinct areas ripe for your alcoholic exploration: the cocktail bar, the champagne bar and the Sky Pool.

GŌNG’s creative cocktail menu (known as ‘A Miscellany of Inventions’) offers a selection of lip-smacking drinks inspired by the greatest inventions of all time.

Ever wanted to know what a drink inspired by a hot air balloon would taste like? You’re in luck.

Pubs

Jamaica Wine House

Winding your way along the narrow lanes that lead to Jamaica Wine House is to experience the medieval heart of the City.

Indeed, dating back to 1652, this red sandstone boozer is how pubs used to be, and maybe still should be, if you listen to the mead drinker in the corner.

Either way, the magnificent, cosy, wood-panelled room is one of the most popular in the City, and for good reason.

The Minories

The Minories is an absolutely stand out-modern pub.

No frills (other than a great craft beer selection but it’s 2019, so you can’t really call that frilly anymore), a grill, a massive garden (complete with fish’n’chip shop), a good Sunday roast; and there’s sports on the TV. Bliss.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a pub so accommodating – including welcoming young families – in such a busy part of the City.

Markets

Borough

As London’s longest standing market – having initially opened its doors to traders in 1014 – Borough Market comes with quite a reputation.

The sausage rolls from Ginger Pig butchers alone are enough to cement that reputation as one that’s been well earnt.

Whether you’re on the lookout for sugar studded doughnuts from Bread Ahead bakery or heaping flatbreads from Gourmet Goat, there’s something for everyone here.

What better way could there be to while away a lazy Saturday morning?

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Maltby Street Market

Maltby Street Market is not for the faint of heart. Or the faint of appetite.

Wander along the Victorian railway arches in Bermondsey and you’ll find pretty much anything you could ever desire to eat or drink.

Little Bird G&Ts topped with fat, juicy slices of grapefruit? Tick! Dhan waffles soaked in Nutella, salted caramel, peanut butter, vanilla custard and Taiwanese honey? Done! You can get your chops around all that, and so much more.

Maltby Street Market isn’t a place that your personal trainer is likely to endorse anytime soon. But, then again, if you don’t tell, neither will we.

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Leadenhall Market

You can still find the doorway used as the entrance to The Leaky Cauldron in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire [here], and parts of Leadenhall Market were used as film sets for the wizard’s Philosopher’s Stone adventures, too.

However, even muggles will be able to appreciate the beauty of the elegant Victorian architecture of this covered market. A must-see for locals and visitors alike, today a lively hub of stalls selling flowers, cheese, meat and other fresh produce surrounds the shops, pubs and restaurants that have established themselves here since the 1400s.

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Shopping

The Royal Exchange

Currently on its third incarnation, after two fires in 1666 and 1838, The Royal Exchange is as packed with as much history as luxury (and fire extinguishers, we hope.)

Established as London’s first centre for trading stocks by Sir Thomas Gresham, the place has always attracted wealth.

These days, whether you come for the fine art, watches or leather goods, finish up at Fortnum & Mason restaurant in the central courtyard.

The Penthouses

Landmark Place

Barratt London’s Landmark Place is a prestigious development on the north bank of the Thames, set on the site of the original city walls of Roman Londinium.

This month, the final phase – The Tower Bridge luxury penthouse collection – has launched. Each penthouse is placed less than 50 metres from the Tower of London.

The Stirling penthouse is the jewel in the crown totalling 3,105 sq ft, including a huge private roof terrace off the open-plan living area.

The terrace’s garden was designed by Jay Larch and Darran Jaques – previous winners of Gold and Best in Show at the Chelsea Flower Show.

The Stirling penthouse interiors have been designed by Littlefair London, and offer a textured and tactile design scheme, which takes advantage of (and also offsets) the incredible light-filled interiors that result from the building’s glass façade.

The collection also includes five duplex penthouses: Hawksmoor at £9.975m; Moya at £8.995m; Vertue at £8.895m; Mountford at £6.995m; Hardwick at £4.995m.

Each penthouse provides hotel-style living with access to world-class amenities, including a 24-hour concierge service on hand to fulfil your requests, any time, day or night.

Although you’re only a few minutes from the busy City streets, Landmark Place also offers an escape from the bustle below: residents benefit from a wellness spa that most five-star hotels would be envious of – including a 20-metre indoor swimming pool and state-of-the-art gym.

When you’re done exercising, there’s a steam room, sauna, and treatment rooms in which to fully unwind.

As an owner, you also have access to a business suite for work and a residents’ lounge for play. There’s even a cinema room, which can be booked out for private film screenings.

The architecture draws inspiration from visionary architect Le Corbusier known for his designs based on light and space.

Its two interconnected buildings, one of eight storeys and the other ten storeys, appear wrapped in glass, allowing wide vistas of the skyline.

And it’s this skyline that really sets Landmark Place apart – it’s incredibly rare to have a private, centrally located London terrace with so many unparalleled views
of the capital’s most iconic landmarks.

Ninety-five percent of units are now sold, so this is the last opportunity to buy one of the best views in London.

For more information about Landmark Place or Barratt London, visit landmarkplace.com. The show suite is open seven days a week;
to book a private appointment, call 020 7423 1211.