Tate Modern and Bankside

Opened in 2000, the Tate Modern is a £130 million project that is regarded as a model of urban regeneration, with the disused Bankside power station transformed into an avant-garde space dedicated to 20th-century art. The permanent exhibition changes biannually so that much of the Tate Gallery's collection of modern work can be on show, displayed thematically rather than chronologically. This includes major works by Matisse, Picasso and Warhol, as well as contemporary pieces. The Turbine Hall displays changing pieces of artwork, specially commissioned to fit the enormous space.

The Bankside area itself is becoming one of the most exciting corners of London, and the £14 million Millennium Bridge is one of the newest additions here. Designed by Norman Foster, it provides a pedestrian link from the Tate Modern to St Paul's Cathedral on the north bank. Bankside's cultural regeneration is enhanced by the beautifully reconstructed Shakespeare's Globe Theatre & Exhibition, which is open all year round, although plays are only performed at the outdoor venue during the summer. Other attractions along the river, past Southwark Bridge towards London Bridge, include Southwark Cathedral on the edge of the nearby Borough Market, a heaven for foodies.