Waterloo
Built up around the railway station, this area has retained a strong sense of community. One of the prime forces battling for the community is the Waterloo Action Centre in Baylis Road, catering for many special needs and interests. The Waterloo Gallery also occupies the building.
The church of St John is also a key player in the area, both as a centre of worship and a venue for concerts, recitals and exhibitions. Southbank Mosaics is based here. Nearby is the new 1901 Arts Club, a private members' club for performing artists.Since 2002 the various regeneration initiatives in Waterloo have been housed under the one roof at 103 Waterloo Road. The refurbished building is now home to the South Bank Employers' Group, Waterloo Project Board; Waterloo Community Regeneration Trust, Waterloo Quarter Business Alliance and other local projects.
For shopping, Lower Marsh market continues, supplemented with an Iceland store, a branch of Boots and other handy shops, such as the Ian Allan transport and military bookshop, Phillips picture framers and Silver Witch.
At the junction of Baylis Road and Waterloo Road the Waterloo Millennium Green has been developed as a new open space. An innovative environmentally-friendly youth resource centre and internet cafe called The Living Space is the final piece of the jigsaw on the previously neglected site on the west side of Waterloo Road.
Waterloo now has a Time Bank to encourage community involvement.
The Cut has been transformed by the arrival of Southwark station (Jubilee line), although it already boasts the Young Vic and Old Vic theatres and award winning restaurants like Livebait, Tas and Meson Don Felipe. The Anchor & Hope is an award-winning Gastropub.
The Cut has long been a destination for London cyclists, thanks to the presence of Evans Cyles.
The Waterloo Centre of Southwark College is also situated in The Cut. Llewellyn Alexander Fine Paintings is a well-established gallery.
Tucked away in Theed Street is The Warehouse, home since 1994 to the London Festival Orchestra founded by Ross Pople in 1980. In 1997 a National Lottery grant enabled the LFO to develop the site, mainly used for recording and editing but now opened up for performances as well.
Bookshops include the Calder Bookshop in The Cut for arts and theatre, transport books from Ian Allan in Lower Marsh and now Crockatt and Powell for a selection of general titles.
Food fans will have a field day with the amazing cakes from Konditor & Cook in Cornwall Road.
Between 1994 and 2007 the area has benefited from the arrival of Eurostar services, whilst the new IMAX cinema has transformed the run-down Bullring.
Transport links are excellent, with Waterloo mainline services, plus Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City Tube lines.
For accommodation, try Steve's in Lower Marsh or the Wellington in Waterloo Road. Days Hotel Waterloo and the Novotel London Waterloo are also nearby.
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