- Tube stations: Waterloo, Lambeth North, Southwark
- Rail stations: Waterloo, Waterloo East
- Location: Below South Bank, between Borough and Lambeth, centered on Waterloo Station
- Borough: Lambeth (www.lambeth.gov.uk)
- Postcode: SE1
Landmarks:The enormous dome of the BFI IMAX has been a Waterloo landmark since it opened in 1999. It shows feature films and special documentaries, so grab some popcorn and one of the 477 seats.
Known for:Waterloo station, which brings millions of commuters into London in the morning and sends them off back home in the afternoon. Waterloo is about to lose its bragging rights to being the home of the Eurostar terminal, which is scheduled to move to King’s Cross in 2007.
Who’s there?Even though Waterloo is an extremely busy station, the area surrounding it is surprisingly calm and serene, with a neighbourhood-like atmosphere. Most residents are London professionals that commute north of the river and enjoy the nearby artsy areas on the weekends.
Making history:Waterloo was a marshy area known for its picturesque cottages and entertainments like pleasure gardens and circuses. After Waterloo Bridge was opened in 1817, the marsh was drained and the land was quickly developed into small houses and shops. When the station opened in 1848, even more people moved into the area and more houses and buildings sprung up.
Pub quiz facts:At 121 Westminster Bridge Road you’ll find the remains of Necropolis Station, where, from 1902 – 1941, trains left London bearing coffins on their way to Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey.
Famous faces:A few years ago notorious au pair Louise Woodward graduated from London South Bank University with a law degree. She attended the university after serving time in America for shaking her eight-month-old charge to death.
When it’s hot:Wander up and down Lower Marsh (www.lower-marsh.co.uk), the area’s shopping district with a distinctly non-High Street feel.
When it’s not:Theatre fans will be in heaven with both the Old Vic (www.oldvictheatre.com) and the Young Vic (www.youngvic.org) just a stone’s throw away from each other on The Cut. The Old Vic tends to feature actors on the BAFTA scale, while the Young Vic goes for more controversial performances.