The South Bank Centre is a complex of arts buildings located on the south bank of the River Thames beside the Hungerford Bridge. It comprises the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, the Purcell Room, the Hayward Gallery and the Poetry Library , and is Europe’s largest venue for the arts. Nearby are the National Theatre and the National Film Theatre. This is one of the most popular public spaces in London, part of a very pedestrian-friendly stretch of the river extending eastwards from Westminster Bridge, past The London Eye, the South Bank Centre, the Tate Modern and the new Shakespeare Globe Theatre to the east.

In all, the South Bank Centre (SBC) manages a 27 acre (109,000 m²) site from County Hall to Waterloo Bridge, including Jubilee Gardens and The Queen’s Walk, attracting more than three million visitors annually. Nearly a thousand paid performances of music, dance and literature are staged at the South Bank Centre each year, as well as over 300 free foyer events and an education programme, in and around the performing arts venues. In addition, up to six major art exhibitions per annum are presented at the Hayward Gallery, whilst National Touring Exhibitions reach over 100 venues across the UK.

In February 2002, Lord Hollick was appointed Chairman. In May of the same year, Michael Lynch, former Chief Executive of Sydney Opera House, was appointed Chief Executive.

The closest underground stations are Waterloo and Embankment

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South Bank Centre