Waterloo station Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Waterloo
National Rail annual entry and exit
London Waterloo
The Victory Arch - the main entrance to Waterloo station
Waterloo Location of Waterloo in Greater London
Location	South Bank
Local authority	London Borough of Lambeth
Managed by	Network Rail
Station code	WAT
Number of platforms	20
2006–07	83.993 million
— interchange	4.227 million
2007–08	100.307 million
Other information
Lists of stations	DLR Underground National Rail Tramlink
Other websites	Departures Layout Facilities Buses

Waterloo station, also known as 'London Waterloo', is one of the busiest and most important train stations in London. It's a huge place where many train lines end, acting as a major hub for people traveling into and out of the city. The station is owned and managed by Network Rail. You can find it close to the South Bank area in the London Borough of Lambeth. It's also located in Travelcard Zone 1, which is the central part of London's public transport system.

History of Waterloo Station
What Makes Waterloo Special?
Images for kids
See also

History of Waterloo Station

Waterloo station has a long and interesting history, going back to the 1840s.

Early Days and Growth

The station first opened its doors in 1848. It was built by the London and South Western Railway company. Back then, it was much smaller than it is today. As more and more people started using trains, the station needed to grow. Over the years, it was expanded many times to handle the increasing number of passengers.

The Victory Arch

One of the most famous parts of Waterloo station is the Victory Arch. This grand entrance was built to remember the brave people who served in World War I. It's a very important landmark and a beautiful piece of architecture. The arch was designed by James Robb Scott.

Modern Changes

Waterloo station has changed a lot over the years. In the early 20th century, it went through a big reconstruction. This included adding special features like a stained glass window with the railway company's crest. More recently, parts of the station were used for international trains, like the Eurostar, which traveled to Europe. These international services moved to St Pancras International in 2007, and those platforms at Waterloo were later brought back into use for regular domestic trains.

What Makes Waterloo Special?

Waterloo is not just a train station; it's a landmark in London.

Busy Platforms

Waterloo is known for having a huge number of platforms. It has 20 platforms, making it one of the largest stations in the UK. This allows many trains to arrive and depart at the same time, helping millions of people travel every year.

Underground Connections

Below the main train station, you'll find a busy London Underground station. This underground station connects to several Tube lines, including the Bakerloo, Northern, and Jubilee lines. This makes it super easy for people to switch from national trains to the Tube and travel all over London.

Location and Surroundings

Waterloo station is in a great spot. It's very close to the South Bank, which is a lively area with lots of attractions. You can find the London Eye, the Southbank Centre, and the National Theatre nearby. This makes Waterloo a popular starting point for tourists exploring London.

Images for kids

The original Waterloo station in 1848
Plan of Waterloo station in 1888
The Victory Arch, the station's main entrance, was constructed by James Robb Scott and commemorates Britain's involvement in World War I.
The early 20th-century reconstruction of Waterloo included a stained glass window with the London and South Western Railway's crest.
Farewell message from Eurostar to the erstwhile International station, viewed from the western side of the main concourse, December 2007
In this photo taken in 2012, the then-disused Grimshaw-designed shed of the former Waterloo International can be seen nearer to the camera, with the older train shed behind. In the foreground are the Shell Centre (left) and County Hall (right).
Waterloo station clock
Waterloo station clock, concourse, and retail balcony, 2012
The statue of Terence Cuneo by Philip Jackson at Waterloo