Hay's Galleria

Hay's Galleria is a covered building complex with a glass roof on the south bank of the Thames, housing offices, shops, and restaurants. The arcade connects several brick structures arranged around a central courtyard with walkways and seating.

Merchant Alexander Hay founded a wharf here in 1651, which later became a major unloading point for tea from India and China. After heavy damage in the Second World War, a new structure incorporating parts of the old warehouses arose in the 1980s.

Inside stands The Navigators, a moving bronze sculpture shaped like a mechanical ship, recalling the trading vessels that once moored here. The figures and gears slowly turn, showing how engineering and seafaring were woven together.

The complex sits a short walk from London Bridge station and is accessible via the Thames Path. Several entrances lead into the covered arcade, where visitors can stroll in any weather.

The galleries still hold iron structures and cranes recalling the time when workers unloaded chests of tea and spices here. The arches in the courtyard bear marks from old winches that were never removed.

Location: London Borough of Southwark

GPS coordinates: 51.50580,-0.08370

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:27