The Romans constructed a 'residential area' south of the River Thames on the website of modern-day Southwark. Nevertheless it was abandoned in the fifth century when the Romans left Britain. Yet under the Saxons a new 'suburban area' grew up and thrived. It was called the south work and ended up being known as Southwark. (From the 16th century it was likewise called The Borough).

In the Anglo-Saxon period Southwark was an important if rather small settlement. Regrettably William the Conqueror burned Southwark in 1066.

Nevertheless in the Middle Ages the suburb of Southwark grew. By the 12th century it had a church and from 1276 it also had a market where farmers from the countryside offered their fruit and vegetables. Today District Market is still

In the 12th century part of Southwark was granted to the Bishop of Winchester. From the 12th century the Bishop of Winchester owned a prison in Southwark. From the 15th century it was called the Clink. It lastly closed in 1780.

In the 16th and 17th centuries Southwark continued to grow. The London councillors were puritans who disapproved of plays so theatres were integrated in Southwark. The Rose Theatre was built in 1592 and the Globe was built in 1599. Southwark was also known for bull baiting and bear baiting. (The unfortunate bear or bull was chained to a post and canines were trained to attack it).

Nevertheless Southwark suffered several outbreaks of plague in 1577-78, 1603, 1625, 1635-36, 1637, 1641 and in 1665. Thankfully the last break out was the last.

In 1676 ten years after the Excellent Fire of London Southwark suffered a fire which destroyed hundreds of structures. The great Fire of Southwark began on 26 May 1676 in a building where a male sold oil and paint. The fire spread rapidly and it was just brought under control by exploding homes to create fire breaks. However the burnt parts of Southwark were quickly rebuilt. The death toll is not known however it is thought that more individuals passed away in the Fantastic Fire of Southwark than in the Terrific Fire of London.

Till 1750 there was just one bridge over the Thames (London Bridge) so any traffic to and from the Southeast of England needed to go through Southwark.

Man's Health center was established in 1721 by Thomas Guy who was governor of St Thomas's Medical facility.

In the 19th century Southwark grew rapidly although a lot of its residents were very poor.

In the 19th century there was big trade in hops from Kent. In 1866 a Hop Exchange was constructed where they could be purchased and offered.

Southwark was made part of the County of London in 1889.

Southwark Cathedral was originally a parish church. It became a cathedral in 1905. John Harvard who established Harvard College was baptized in the church.

Southwark Bridge was built in 1912. It replaced an earlier bridge integrated in 1819. Today London Bridge was integrated in 1972.

In 1924 a War Memorial was put up in District High Street.

Today Southwark has numerous attractions. Amongst them are the Clink Jail Museum and the Tate Modern. Other attractions are the Vinopolis, Shakespeare's Globe and London Dungeon.

Southwark is likewise understood for the Old Operating Theatre Museum. It was initially the ladies's operating theatre for St Thomas's Medical facility and it was integrated in 1822.

In 1971 HMS Belfast was brought to Southwark. (HMS Belfast is a light cruiser introduced in 1938. She served in the 2nd World War and the Korean War and she continued in service up until 1963).