The area of Waterloo is one of the city’s greatest yet lesser known hotspots. Far from just acting as the portal to a train station, there’s much more on offer here than there was even a decade ago. Packed with a growing array of pubs, bars, coffee shops and markets, there’s also a couple of great tourist destinations within easy reach. Here’s our brief guide to top three attractions you must see in Waterloo during your visit.
1. Waterloo Bridge
If you’ve visited the Waterloo area before, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll have crossed Waterloo Bridge. It first opened in 1848 and was allowed for both types of travelers (by foot and by vehicles). The bridge affords those walking across fantastic views out to the City of London and Canary Wharf. The bridge’s name was given to commemorate the decisive coalition victory of the British, the dutch & the Prussians at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. It’s been painted by the noted artists Claude Monet and John Constable, and makes for a great place to stroll while staying at the Montcalm London.
2. London Eye
The London Eye is a great way to gain a bird’s eye view of the city. First opened 31st December 1999, this giant Ferris wheel was designed to mark the new millennium and originally intended to only stay put for a few years. However it’s since become so entrenched in ideas of the city, it’s hard to imagine a London skyline without the London Eye.
The venue is a fabulous place to visit all year round – open from 10am every day of the week, it’s busiest during the summer and guests at the Montcalm London are encouraged to expect queues of 15-30 mins at peak times before getting on board. There are 32 clear capsules and a range of special events, as well as the possibility to book speedy boarding or a private capsule and a range of great experiences sure to appeal to those staying in our luxury accommodation in London.
3. Imperial War Museum
Recently renovated and currently enjoying a new lease of life, the Imperial War Museum is one of London’s most breath-taking, offering a history of military and maritime conflict. The latest refurbishment was launched in 2014 to mark the centenary of the start of WW1, helping to reinvigorate it’s already striking building into something even more impressive.
The exhibits get notably darker the higher you get in the museum, from earlier wartime paraphernalia such as tanks, aircraft and guns looming over the ceiling in the main hall to galleries showcasing objects from the Iraq and Falklands wars.
The WW1 gallery has been expanded and accompanies displays from WW2 while the Holocaust Exhibition, not recommended for those under 14, traces a dark era of European history. Even higher up, you’ll find an exhibit exploring crimes against humanity – proving the museum does not glorify war, but instead seeks to explore the nature and history of some of our most noted conflicts.
