Originally Posted by
SudOvest
Is the Southwark area nice to go for a walk along the Thames? Or is the area just really dead at night? Would we have better dining options and stuff for the kids in Bloomsbury? The HIX has free breakfast in Southwark, HI in Bloomsbury doesn't.
The river in Southwark is lively any time of day. It's absolutely lively at night. You will see lots of people and feel absolutely safe.
Head up to the river and head left, and you wind up near the Oxo Tower and Gabriel's Wharf (10 minutes walk) which includes a green space, and a number of restaurants. In 20 minutes in the same direction, you'll be at Jubilee Gardens and the South Bank Centre. Lots of lively dining options, a big green space and the London Eye.
Head to the river and turn right, and 5 minutes to the Tate Modern, 8 minutes to the Globe, and 20 minutes to Borough Market (it's actually closer if you just follow Southwark Street, but less scenic). Also, from Tate Modern you can cross the Millennium Bridge to St. Paul's Cathedral, and some interesting dining options around Carter Lane.
Really I think you can't go wrong with either location, and if taking nice walks is higher on your list, than Southwark might tip over to be better, as you have all the river to walk along.