Besides housing the largest train station in the UK, Waterloo’s lively South London charm offers vibrant bars, restaurants by the river, tourist attractions galore, and superb city skyline views.
Enjoy a day of sightseeing, observing 360-degree views over London from one of the city’s most popular and iconic tourist attractions; the London Eye. During your 30-minute ride, you will spot some of our famous landmarks, including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St Paul’s, Tower Bridge and The Shard.
If you’re planning a day for the whole family, don’t let the kids miss out on all the fun, they’ll be spoilt for choice with the Sea Life Aquarium, The London Dungeon, Shrek’s Adventure! London, the Imperial War Museum and the BFI IMAX, all located within the Waterloo district.
Bask in the cultural heart of London and keep an eye out for South Bank’s annual events and pop-up festivals, or wander along the Thames and you will find a selection of riverside restaurants and bars. Whether you’re going for casual drinks after work or enjoying a night out with friends, there are plenty of places in Waterloo that ooze atmosphere, from cosy local boozers like The Duke of Sussex to rooftop bars with Insta-worthy cocktails like Bar Elba.
While you’re in Waterloo, why not take a five-minute ride across the river to Soho?
Waterloo minicabs too expensive? Try Addison Lee instead.
Where to drink
Skylon
As destination bars go – you can’t do much better than Skylon. Located in the Royal Festival Hall, with views over the river & London Eye. It’s an ideal spot to wind down with a cocktail from their extensive menu. With an outstanding restaurant should you get peckish. It’s just a stone’s throw from the station.
Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX
www.skylon-restaurant.co.uk/
Cabin
Train station bars are often high on price and low on quality. Not so in the case of the excellent Cabin. Just a quick hop up the escalator will land you in one of Waterloo Station’s best kept secrets. Built as an old train carriage, it’s draped with lavish Chesterfield armchairs for extra comfort. Oh, and there’s a self-serve wine machine – you ‘eard!
Unit 18 The Balcony, South Bank, Waterloo Station, SE1 7LY
southbankbid.co.uk/directory/the-cabin/
King's Arms
If it’s proper pints, pork scratchings and a little bit of British you’re after. The King’s Arms is just the ticket. A pub in the very traditional sense. It keeps eight real ales on at any time, as well as a decent wine list. And while its location is every bit as genuinely London as its interior. It’s worth getting down early. This one’s no local secret.
25 Roupell St, SE1 8TB
www.thekingsarmstooley.com/
Where to eat
Union Street Cafe
With all the buildup to it opening, this is arguably Gordon Ramsay’s most talked about restaurant. And not without reason either. The low-fi setting in an old warehouse makes for a very modern dining experience. While the seasonal and even daily menus reflect the incredible . fresh produce of nearby Borough market. We recommend you book ahead, it’s unsurprisingly popular.
47-51 Great Suffolk St, SE1 0BS
www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/union-street-cafe/
Anchor & Hope
You’ve got two crowds in Waterloo. Those there for the travel and those there for the theatre. This fine gastropub caters to both. A traditional pub on one side, an unfussy restaurant on the other. Serving modern British food with a brasserie twist. Expect to wait a little bit for a table (they don’t take bookings), but at least you’ll have a decent pint in hand.
36 The Cut, SE1 8LP
www.anchorandhopepub.co.uk/
Oxo Tower
One of the most famous buildings on the Thames skyline has to be the Oxo Tower. Famous for sneaking its branding onto the tower face against the Queen’s legislation. It’s also a great spot for some lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. A short minicab ride away from Waterloo Station, it offers unbeatable views over the Thames and St. Paul’s. You simply couldn’t choose a more iconic place to stop for a bite.
Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House St, SE1 9PH
www.oxotower.co.uk/
What to do
London Eye
Towering above London at an impressive 135m, the London Eye is famous for offering unbeatable views of our nation’s capital. Although you can now go higher (at the Shard), there’s no more exciting way to catch a sight of the city from right on the river. They say, on a good day, you can even see Windsor Castle. Which at least saves you a trip to the countryside.
Southbank, SE1 7PB
www.londoneye.com/
Young Vic & Old Vic
These two theatres, although located just a stone’s throw away from one another are actually now unconnected. While they once shared patrons, they’ve operate independently for years. Offering some of the most cutting edge theatre in London.They’ve both been home to Sir Laurence Olivier as well as countless other heavyweight actors, directors and playwrights. These theatres are an absolute must visit if you’re in the area.
Young Vic, 66 The Cut, SE1 8LZ Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 8NB
www.youngvic.org/about-young-vic/then-now
BFI IMAX
It may seem a bit of a waste to visit the cinema when you’re in London. But the BFI IMAX is such a treat it hardly counts. Located at 1 Charlie Chaplin Walk, you can tell right away this place is a little bit special. Operated by the British Film Institute, it has the largest cinema screen in Britain and shows everything from current releases to Imax films for the kids. Film fans rejoice!
1 Charlie Chaplin Walk, SE1 8XR
www.bfi.org.uk/bfi-imax
