• History of Waterloo station

  • Waterloo is the UK's largest station, covering an area of 24.5 acres.

    One of its most notable features is the Victory Arch, built of Portland Stone. This commemorates the London and South Western and the Southern Railway men who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

    Eurostar train services no longer call at Waterloo and the international part of Waterloo station is now closed. All Eurostar train services now run to and from St Pancras International. Visit Eurostar for more information.

    Chronology

    • The original station was opened on 11 July 1848 by the London and South Western Railway.
    • The Necropolis station opened in October 1854 with the North station opening on 3 August 1860.
    • The connection to the South Eastern Railway opened in January 1864.
    • Waterloo Junction station (the present Waterloo East station) opened on 1 January 1869.
    • The South station opened on 16 December 1878 and an additional North platform was added in November 1885.
    • The Waterloo and City station opened on 8 August 1898 while the new Necropolis station opened on 16 February 1902.
    • The South Eastern Railway connection was decommissioned on 26 March 1911.
    • The station was completely rebuilt between 1900 and 1922 and had its official opening on 21 March 1922.
    • The Necropolis station was bombed on 16 April 1941 but was not rebuilt.
    • The concourse underwent some remodelling work between 1978 and 1983.

    Station design

    • The roof and platforms of the 1922 station were designed by J. W. Jacomb-Hood and A. W. Szlumper, engineers for the LSWR.
    • The roof is of transverse ridge and furrow construction and is 520ft by 540ft.
    • The maximum single span is approximately 118ft.
    • The office buildings were designed by J. R. Scott, the chief assistant architect for LSWR. It is in Imperial Baroque style and is notable for its Victory Arch.
    • The Victory Arch was designed to commemorate the loss of LSWR servicemen during the First World War.
    • It is constructed from Portland stone and carries statues depicting War and Peace, which are placed below a statue of Britannia.