Waterloo: More than a train station

When most people think of Waterloo, the first place that comes to mind is the train station, which is one of the most popular stops for commuters throughout London. Although the station is known for being jam-packed with people - especially at the beginning and end of the working day - the area itself has a much calmer feel.

The Waterloo area of London is a fairy arty place, and boasts a number of theatres and other cultural attractions. It has become known for its neighbourhood feel, due to the number of beautiful houses in the area and the public gardens and green spaces. Most of those that live in the area are professionals that work north of the Thames, but want to embrace a more homely neighbourhood in the evenings and at the weekends.

Plenty of culture

Waterloo has plenty to offer you if you're after culture. The Southbank Centre alone has enough to keep you busy for several months with its range of galleries and museums, amongst a wide range of other attractions. The Southbank Centre was opened in 1951 as the venue for the Festival of Britain and since then it has been a constant source of artistic and theatrical shows and activities. Many of the activities on offer are free to take part in, making the Southbank Centre one of the most popular tourist destinations throughout the whole of the UK. The Centre also boasts an impressive array of shops, restaurants and cafes; making it a must see for residents and tourists alike.

As well as the Southbank Centre, theatre lovers can benefit from living in the Waterloo area as it is home to two of London's most famous theatres. The Cut boasts both the Old Vic and the Young Vic, ensuring that those who wish to see a show will have plenty to choose from. Both theatres are housed on the same picturesque street that is also home to many high quality restaurants and bars. If you aren't lucky enough to live in the Waterloo area, The Cut is an easy walk from Waterloo station; making it easily accessible to the rest of the City.

When the weather is nice and you don't fancy sitting in a theatre, Lower Marsh has a great range of shops. Rather than the usual mix of high street shops, Lower Marsh offers a boutique shopping experience as well as yet more quality restaurants.

Transportation

Unsurprisingly Waterloo offers great transportation for residents and visitors alike. As well as the rail station, there are also three Underground stations - Waterloo, Southwark and Lambeth North. The Waterloo area is also serviced by buses, allowing for easy travel. As the area is so popular with young London professionals, transport links to the rest of the city are quick and regular.

You can also travel by boat from Waterloo, via the Thames Clipper. This form or public transport has a number of stops, including Waterloo Pier, London Bridge, Blackfriars and Bankside. It allows you to avoid the traffic of the city and the packed morning Tube carriages.

Waterloo also boasts the remains of the Necropolis Station. This station can be found at 121 Westminster Bridge Road and was used to transport coffins from London to Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey between 1902 and 1941.

 

Published 15th July, 2013

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