- Riverside path from Lambeth Bridge to Blackfriars Bridge, free to walk, with the busiest stretch between the London Eye and Waterloo Bridge. Street performers and a weekend book market animate this section.
- Best for: Scenic walks, street performance
- Duration: 30–60 mins
- Combine with: London Eye or BFI Southbank
Neighborhood at a glance
Why visit: Waterloo sits directly across the Thames from Westminster, with the London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, Southbank Centre and a riverfront promenade running the full length of the neighborhood.
Atmosphere: Busy, cultural, riverside, pedestrian-heavy.
Top things to do: Ride the London Eye, walk the South Bank promenade from the London Eye to Westminster Bridge, see a performance at the Southbank Centre, browse the BFI Southbank and Underbelly Festival stalls in summer.
Best for: First-time visitors to London, families, cultural events, riverside walks.
Time needed: 2–3 hours for the promenade and key attractions; a full day to include the London Eye, SEA LIFE and a Southbank Centre event.
Best time to visit: Late afternoon to early evening for the riverside views, when the Westminster skyline and the London Eye are lit as the sun drops behind the buildings to the west.
Nearby: Westminster Bridge, Houses of Parliament, Tate Modern, Borough Market, Lambeth North, Elephant and Castle.
Top things to do in Waterloo
💡 Pro tip
If you're visiting the London Eye without fast-track tickets, arrive before 10am on a weekday. The first hour after opening typically has the shortest boarding queues, and the morning light gives a cleaner view of the Westminster skyline from the top than the hazy midday light that builds by noon.
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🏛️ Why visit | 🎟️ Best ways to explore |🧭 Plan your visit | 🌟 Free things to do Free things to do | 📋 Itinerary | 💡 Tips | 🍴 Dining
Why visit Waterloo
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South Bank Westminster Views
The closest south-bank view of the Westminster skyline, directly across the Thames. From the South Bank between the London Eye and Westminster Bridge, sightlines are clear. See Big Ben, Parliament, and the Thames in one frame, with the London Eye to the left.
South Bank Promenade
One of London’s busiest pedestrian stretches, running from the London Eye to Waterloo Bridge.
Lined with street performers, food stalls, public art, and a weekend book market under the bridge.
Lively at lunch and weekends, used as much for strolling and relaxing as for getting around.
County Hall Attractions
Major family attractions are grouped inside County Hall beside the London Eye. It houses SEA LIFE London Aquarium, Shrek’s Adventure! London, and the Sea Containers hotel. You can visit both attractions without leaving the building; the London Eye is a 2-minute walk outside.
Southbank Centre Complex
The UK’s largest arts complex, set between the London Eye and Waterloo Bridge. Includes the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Hayward Gallery, and outdoor terrace spaces. Free entry to the Royal Festival Hall; hosts markets and festivals, including Underbelly in summer.
Waterloo Transport Hub
Waterloo is the UK’s busiest station, served by multiple Underground lines and National Rail. The South Bank is a 5-minute walk from the main York Road exit. Westminster and Embankment are minutes away, making it a convenient starting point.
Best ways to explore Waterloo
- The Shrek's Adventure! London + London Eye are the two anchor paid attractions on this stretch of the South Bank and are directly adjacent in the County Hall complex.
- Booking them together is the most common combo for family visits. Shrek's Adventure is in the same building as SEA LIFE and pairs naturally as a second stop for the same family audience.
- For adults, pairing London Eye admission tickets with a Southbank Centre evening performance covers both the daytime observation and a cultural evening in the same neighborhood.
- The Thames Sightseeing Cruise departs from the nearby Westminster Pier (a 10-minute walk across Westminster Bridge) and from Waterloo London Eye Pier on the South Bank, running downstream toward Greenwich and upstream toward Kew and Hampton Court.
- The South Bank between the London Eye and Tate Modern is best understood from the water, where the sequence of riverside buildings from Lambeth Palace to St Paul's is visible in a continuous east-facing panorama.
- The secondhand book market under Waterloo Bridge operates daily and is free.
- The stalls run along the Southbank Centre side of the underpass and carry a wide range of paperback fiction, art books and prints. The market is at its largest on weekends.
- The Hayward Gallery's exterior sculpture terraces on the upper levels of the Southbank Centre building are free to access and give elevated views of the Thames that most visitors passing through at ground level never see.
Book the London Eye & River Experiences
The London Eye is the highlight here, and fast-track tickets save significant time on busy or clear days. Book
London Eye Fast-Track Tickets and pair it with a Thames Sightseeing Cruise to Greenwich.
Plan your visit
Waterloo sits on the South Bank (SE1), opposite Westminster, with the London Eye as the main landmark and Waterloo Station as the transport hub.
London Eye Fast-Track Tickets
Fast-track is the most valuable upgrade on busy days, especially in clear weather. Standard queues can reach 45–60 minutes; fast-track cuts this to under 10 minutes. Book London Eye Fast-Track Tickets in advance to save time.
Free things to do in Waterloo
Suggested itinerary for visiting Waterloo
Waterloo's attractions run in a linear sequence along the South Bank, making it one of the most straightforward London neighborhoods to navigate. The London Eye and County Hall cluster at the western end; the Southbank Centre, National Theatre and BFI are in the middle; and Tate Modern is at the eastern end. All are connected by the same riverside path.
Tips for visiting Waterloo
- London Eye queues: Two lines, tickets and boarding. Book in advance; fast-track skips the main wait. Arrive before 10am for shortest queues.
- Book market: Under Waterloo Bridge on the building side. Easy to miss; best on weekends.
- County Hall attractions: SEA LIFE and Shrek’s have separate entrances. Start with SEA LIFE, then exit toward Shrek’s.
- Southbank Centre: Undercroft skatepark is free; upper terraces offer great river views without a ticket.
- Getting around: Use Waterloo’s York Road exit for the South Bank. Watch for cyclists on the promenade.
- Food & photos: Lower Marsh has cheaper weekday food. Visit the London Eye at blue hour for the best photos.
Best photo spots in Waterloo
Westminster Bridge (South Pavement)
Face northeast for Parliament and Elizabeth Tower, with the London Eye in frame. Best in morning light.
Dining in Waterloo
🍴The Anchor & Hope Tip
No reservations for most tables. Arrive around 12:30pm on weekdays for a good chance of seating. Order from the daily-changing menu rather than bar snacks. One of the most food-focused pubs in the area.
Should you stay in Waterloo?
Staying in Waterloo puts you on the South Bank with the promenade and the London Eye minutes away, but the neighborhood is primarily a transit hub and the hotel stock reflects that.
The vibe: Waterloo puts you right on the South Bank, steps from the London Eye and promenade. It’s lively by day but quieter after 9pm, with some activity around the Southbank Centre and theatres. The area feels more practical than atmospheric, and some station noise is common.
The logistics: Well-connected and easy to get around, with many mid-range and budget hotels near the station (especially York Road and Waterloo Road). Prices are moderate for central London, but rooms on main roads can be noisy.
Who it’s for: Best for budget-conscious travellers and those arriving by train. Less ideal if you want a characterful or very quiet base, or plan to walk everywhere.
Where to stay: Cornwall Road or Coin Street. Quieter, but still close to the London Eye, promenade, and Lower Marsh.
Explore other London neighbourhoods
Frequently asked questions about Waterloo
Yes. Beyond the station, the neighbourhood, including South Bank, Leake Street, Lower Marsh, and the residential streets behind the platforms, offers enough to fill a few hours or a full day.
Two hours covers the essentials: Leake Street, Lower Marsh, and part of the South Bank. Four hours lets you add Tate Modern, Roupell Street, and time to sit and watch the river. A full day is possible if combining with Borough Market or a show at the Old Vic or National Theatre.
Yes. Waterloo is busy and central, with high footfall most hours. Stay aware of your surroundings, watch your belongings, and avoid unsolicited offers for help.
Many attractions are free: Tate Modern permanent collection, Leake Street Tunnel, South Bank riverside walk, book market under Waterloo Bridge, Southbank Centre foyers, National Theatre public spaces, Archbishop’s Park, and the skate park.
Most riverside paths and major venues are step-free. Jubilee line Exit 3 provides step-free Underground access. Some cobbled backstreets require care but are navigable. Many local buses have low-floor access.
Weekdays, 11am to 3:30pm. Closed on weekends.
It’s open most days under Waterloo Bridge, weather permitting. Weekday mornings are the most reliable time.
A 300-metre tunnel under the railway tracks behind Waterloo Station, London’s largest legal graffiti wall. Free to enter and open at all times. Art changes constantly.
Yes, especially in summer and on weekends. Online booking saves time and can offer small discounts. Walk-up tickets are available but queues may be long.
Use a contactless bank card or Oyster card. Both work on all buses and Underground lines. Avoid single paper tickets—they cost more.
Public toilets are available at Southbank Centre, Tate Modern, and under Waterloo Bridge. Cafés along the river also have facilities for customers.
Yes. Jubilee Gardens and Archbishop’s Park have playgrounds and open space. Riverside paths are mostly flat and stroller-friendly.
Cycling is allowed on most South Bank paths and nearby streets. Leake Street Tunnel is pedestrian-only.
