Page 197 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

SOUTH BANK  195

and sections of the Berlin Wall.
On display in the atrium are the
V-1 and V-2 rockets, a Mark 1
Spitfire, a Harrier jet, a T-34 tank
and the Baghdad car, destroyed
in a suicide car bombing that
took place in the Mutanabbi
Street book market in Baghdad
in 2007.
The museum also has a
contemporary art programme
of changing exhibitions
through out the year, featuring
contemporary artists’ response
to the subject of war.
Housed in part of what used The memorial to the dead of World War I at Waterloo Station
to be the Bethlehem Royal
Hospital for the Insane (more for music hall, the immensely e Waterloo Station
commonly known as “Bedlam”), popular Victorian entertainment, York Rd SE1. Map 14 D4. Tel 08457
built in 1811, it was not which included singers and 484950. 1 Waterloo. See Getting to
uncommon for the general comedians. In 1912, Lillian Baylis London p368.
public to visit and watch its became manager and from 1914
patients. The hospital moved to 1923 she staged all of Shakes- The terminus for trains to
out to new premises in Surrey in peare’s plays here. The National southwest England, Waterloo
1930, leaving this vast building Theatre (see p192) was founded in station was originally built in
empty. Its two large flanking the 1960s and based at this site. 1848 but completely remodelled
wings were pulled down and In 1997, a charitable trust, in the early 20th century, with
this central block converted into formed to secure the theatre’s the addition of a grand formal
the museum, which moved future. The Trust set up The entrance at the northeast
here from its former South Old Vic Theatre Company as corner. Today the spacious
Kensington site in 1936. resident company in 2003, with concourse, including a mezz-
Kevin Spacey as its first artistic anine floor, is lined with
director. There are cheap seats for clothing and gift shops, cafés
younger people and panto- and bars.
mimes at Christmas. Towards the end of the
20th century the station was
enlarged again to serve as
w Gabriel’s Wharf London’s first Channel Tunnel
rail link to Europe. In autumn
56 Upper Ground SE1. Map 14 E3.
1 Waterloo. See Shops and Markets 2007, the Eurostar terminal
pp316–37. moved from Waterloo Station
to its present home at St Pancras
This pleasant enclave of International (see p133).
boutiques, craft shops and cafés The area surrounding
was the product of a long and Waterloo, particularly Lower
The Old Vic theatre, rescued from the threat stormy debate over the future Marsh, is worth exploring: there
of closure in the 1990s of what was once an industrial are some great shops, pubs and
riverside area. Residents of restaurants to enjoy.
q The Old Vic Waterloo strongly opposed
various schemes for office
Waterloo Rd SE1. Map 14 E4. Tel 0844 develop ments before a commu-
871 7628. 1 Waterloo. Open for
performances and tours. 8 Sat, book nity association was able to
online or call 020 7928 2651. acquire the site in 1984 and
7 contact the theatre in advance. build cooperative housing.
0 See Entertainment pp340–42. Adjoining the market is a small
∑ oldvictheatre.com garden and a riverside walkway
with fine views of the City. The
This splendid building dates back Oxo Tower to the east, built in
to 1818, when it was opened as 1928 to surreptitiously advertise a
the Royal Coburg Theatre. In meat extract by means of its
1833, the name was changed window shapes, now houses
to the Royal Victoria, in honour galleries and design shops on
of the future queen. Shortly after the lower floors and a restaurant Warehouses painted with a tromp l’œil
this the theatre became a centre and bar on the top floor. effect at Gabriel’s Wharf

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