Local area guide

Living in Waterloo

Thinking about moving to Waterloo? Discover why it's a great place to live, fun things to do here, what the local schools are like, transport connections and so much more.

Your guide to moving to Waterloo

Why Waterloo is a good place to live

Living in Waterloo provides residents with the perfect mix of city life and cultural enrichment. This London neighbourhood is a bustling hub of activity and entertainment. Waterloo is at the heart of transport links, making it an exceedingly versatile place to live. Being home to the London Waterloo Train Station, the busiest transport hub in the UK, it's quick and easy to travel across the city or further afield. The area also boasts close proximity to South Bank, a two-mile stretch featuring some of London's top cultural institutions and attractions. While it's widely known as a busy commuter hub, it's also a wonderfully vibrant place, thanks to bars, cafes, and eateries that add to its urban atmosphere.

What's Waterloo famous for?

Waterloo is famous for its bustling train station, known to be the busiest in the UK. Not just a transport hub, Waterloo Station is famed for the Victory Arch, a memorial to staff who died in WWI, which serves as an iconic entrance. The area also carries a historical significance, it's named after the Battle of Waterloo, commemorated by landmarks like Waterloo Bridge and St John’s Waterloo Church. Culture-vultures can find a wealth of arts and performance venues, such as the nationally renowned Old Vic Theatre. Furthermore, the Southbank Centre and Royal Festival Hall are hugely popular for their extensive roster of events and performances.

Things to do in Waterloo

There's an abundance of things to do in Waterloo that make it far more than a transport hub. It's home to several attractions, such as the BFI IMAX, the UK's largest cinema screen. Visitors and residents can also relish the beautiful views offered by the iconic London Eye. The area caters to art enthusiasts with The Dali Universe, an exhibit of Dali’s work, or the Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel. For those interested in theatre, catching a performance at the Old Vic is a must-do. Dining options are vast. Gastronomes might head over to Lower Marsh Street, renowned for its vibrant and unique selection of dining experiences, or hit the Southbank Centre Food Market for some international street food.

We have used a bespoke generative AI model to help us research and create our area guides. All of our content is reviewed, and edited where needed, by our trusted team of Zoopla content editors.

Properties currently for sale in Waterloo

Whether you're looking to buy a family home or a beautiful apartment, we've got you covered.

Transport in Waterloo

Find the nearest train stations and other transport links in Waterloo.

Local connections

London Waterloo
National Rail
0.1 miles / 0.2 km
Waterloo
0.2 miles / 0.3 km
Lambeth North
0.2 miles / 0.3 km
London Waterloo East
National Rail
0.2 miles / 0.3 km
London Eye Millennium Pier
Ferry Port
0.3 miles / 0.5 km
Southwark
0.4 miles / 0.6 km

Schools in Waterloo

Discover local primary schools, secondary schools and sixth form colleges in Waterloo.

Education in Waterloo

Oasis Academy Johanna
Ages: 3 - 11 years old
Ofsted Rating: Good (2019)
DLD College
Ages: 13 - 21 years old
Oasis Academy South Bank
Ages: 11 - 19 years old
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding (2015)
Morley College London
Ages: 16 - 99 years old
Ofsted Rating: Good (2023)
St George's Cathedral Catholic Primary School
Ages: 3 - 11 years old
Ofsted Rating: Good (2018)
King's College London Maths School
Ages: 16 - 19 years old
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding (2017)

Local pubs in Waterloo

In partnership with
useyourlocal
  • Beer House

    Waterloo, London, SE1

    With 124 million travellers passing through Waterloo Station every year, you’ll be overjoyed to find us and escape from the crowds. Find us opposite Platform 2 and 3 on the main concourse.

  • Tonight Josephine

    London SE1

    We are the Bande De Filles, Josephine’s gang. Here for a good time. Cocktails forever.