Southwark Cathedral is a parish church which became a cathedral early in the 20th century. St Swithin of weather fame founded a convent on the site which later became a monastery. Henry VIII's closure of the priory led to the main building becoming the parish church. William Shakespeare is believed to have been present when John Harvard, founder of the American university, was baptised here in 1607. This is the year that William's own brother Edmond was buried between the choir stalls. Nearby is the Shakespeare memorial.

The Millennium Project development to the north of the cathedral includes a refectory and a shop with specially commissioned Southwark products. The cloister style courtyard is on the site of the original cloister in use when Southwark Cathedral was a riverside priory. The old and new buildings are separated by an ancient alleyway which has reopened as a glazed street called Lancelot's Link.

On Sundays the main choral eucharist is at 11am. en http://www.london-se1.co.uk/whatson/event/5090/borough London SE1 <see-website-for-real-email-address@london-se1.co.uk> Tuesday 8 July 2008 to Tuesday 9 September 2008. 2008-07-08 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/whatson/event/5238/jazz-in-the-churchyard London SE1 <see-website-for-real-email-address@london-se1.co.uk> Saturday 23 August 2008. 2008-08-23 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/whatson/event/5096/anya-birchall-katherine-denton-andamp;-sophie-warwick London SE1 <see-website-for-real-email-address@london-se1.co.uk> Tuesday 26 August 2008. Violin, cello & piano 2008-08-26 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/whatson/event/5239/jazz-in-the-churchyard London SE1 <see-website-for-real-email-address@london-se1.co.uk> Saturday 30 August 2008. 2008-08-30 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/whatson/event/5126/nun-in-a-tent London SE1 <see-website-for-real-email-address@london-se1.co.uk> Thursday 18 September 2008 to Saturday 20 September 2008. Or a monk 2008-09-18 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/whatson/event/5127/women-included London SE1 <see-website-for-real-email-address@london-se1.co.uk> Wednesday 24 September 2008. Feminist theology 2008-09-24 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/whatson/event/4975/living-the-eucharist London SE1 <see-website-for-real-email-address@london-se1.co.uk> Sunday 5 October 2008. Contemporary dance exploring the Eucharist 2008-10-05 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/whatson/event/5171/keiskamma-art-for-aids-project London SE1 <see-website-for-real-email-address@london-se1.co.uk> Tuesday 7 October 2008 to Thursday 30 October 2008. 2008-10-07 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/whatson/event/4904/apple-day London SE1 <see-website-for-real-email-address@london-se1.co.uk> Sunday 26 October 2008. Borough Market and Southwark Cathedral 2008-10-26