If you’re familiar with the Shad Thames, then your knowledge of London is very good. Perhaps you recognise the location from films such as Oliver! and The Elephant Man or learnt about it in school, but it’s very different today. Victorian London’s shipping trade centre and largest warehouse site is now an upmarket array of apartments, restaurants and boutique shops, still connected by the old rooftop walkways. From Victorian squalor to victorious chic, talk about an extreme makeover.

This one’s for the foodies. Lining the Shad are various riverside cafes, restaurants and bars—a perfect accompaniment to enjoy the Thames with. Cantina del Ponte evokes Italian-ness with its inviting atmosphere and authentic food, aided by friendly and knowledgeable staff. Regular events, such as Pococello cocktail masterclasses will ensure your creations are molto chic! If wine is more your thing, check out Browns. On Fridays they showcase their array of sparkling wines against a backdrop of glorious food, selling them all at generous prices. For a spectacular view of Tower Bridge, dine on the Le Pont de La Tour terrace, where French architecture and cuisine combine, and expert advice from in-house sommeliers can give your visit that certain je ne sais quoi. So classy. So French.

When wanting to create your own dishes, head out to the Borough Market—one of London’s oldest food markets. Containing over 100 stands selling fresh meat, fish and vegetables, as well as specialist stalls selling imported produce, there is much to choose from. Community Borough Market events include, ‘Gastrotours: A taste of Borough Market’ where food writer Celia Brooks guides you around the market, with produce and wine tasting sessions included. Other nearby markets worth a visit include Maltby Street Market and Bermondsey Market.

Though you can get a boat across the adjacent Thames, there are other methods of transport. Nearby Bermondsey and London Bridge Tube Stations provide easy access to both the Northern and Jubilee lines, with Victoria, Euston and Oxford Circus just 30 minutes away. Multiple bus routes also travel through the area and travel to hotspots such as Covent Garden and Russell Square for example. We also recommend cycling alongside the river for the diverse and changing scenery.

Quite simply, new LiFE has been breathed into Shad Thames, with the food culture emanating from its very core. Not bad for an old warehouse district.