Waterloo Station and London Eye

Waterloo station was opened in 1848. Little of the original station survives except the roof over platforms 18 - 21, which date from 1885. The current buildings date from 1922.

The main pedestrian entrance arch serves as a memorial to staff killed during world war one and during the blitz the station was hit 50 times yet it still remained operational throughout. It was the terminal for London's Eurostar service to the continent until 2008, when the terminal moved to St Pancras in north London.

The current Westminster Bridge was opened in 1862 to replace an earlier bridge which dated from 1750. There had been a ford at low tide here since Roman times and many historians believe that the Romans used to wade cross the river near this point. They think the actual crossing point was on the other side of Westminster Bridge, in front of St Thomas' Hospital. In 1909, the remains of a Roman boat were discovered nearby.

A popular tourist attraction in London, the London Eye (pictured) is a ferris wheel with large pods, allowing riders to see great views of London.

The wheel was meant to be up and operational in time for the millenium celebrations - unfortunately for technical reasons, it wasn't open until mid 2000.

County Hall, the large "Edwardian style" building overlooking the Thames near the London Eye, was opened in 1922. Though now housing a hotel, a Dali museum (Dali Universe), the Saatchi Gallery and the London Aquarium, it was the home of London government until 1986.

Did You Know?

The opening of the original Westminster Bridge in 1750 (which provided Londoners with only their second bridge across the river) was controversial as it threatened the livelihoods of the City Corporation and the watermen, who earned their living transporting people across the river in boats.

Money to build the bridge was raised through a public lottery.

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