Waterloo Station
York Road, London SE1

Waterloo Station, a terminus for trains serving south-west England, was built in 1848. One of the capital's busiest commuter railway stations, providing suburban services to south west London, as well as fast trains to the south west of England. 

Originally known as Waterloo Bridge, the station was built in 1848 for the London & South Western Railway (LSWR) and developed piecemeal.

The different developments at Waterloo caused much confusion and between 1900 - 22 the station was completely remodelled into the present single structure. At the beginning of the 20th century the station was completely remodelled, with a grand formal entrance on the north-east corner.  A Victory Arch, featuring figures representing war and peace, beneath a statue of Britannia, was incorporated into the facade, commemorating workers who died in World War I.

Waterloo is the largest station in the UK by area.  Its spacious, curved concourse, lined with shops, is one of the most practical of the the capital's rail termini.

At the end of the 20th century Waterloo Station was enlarged to become London's main link with the Channel Tunnel. 

Eurostar trains arrive and depart under the glass-roofed terminus designed by Nicholas Grimshaw.  Improvements have also been made outside the station, and a new pathway links Waterloo with the Royal Festival Hall.

The roundabout outside the station now houses the BFI London IMAX Cinema.  The ten-storey high cinema, built on springs to keep down the vibrations from the surrounding traffic, features the biggest screen in Europe.          

Today Waterloo has 19 platforms, plus 4 at Waterloo East and 5 for Eurostar.  Waterloo serves Guildford, Southampton, Hampshire and Exeter, while the more suburban Waterloo East handles trains on the Charing Cross - London Bridge line.  Eurostar serves Paris and Brussels.