Guide to the Bakerloo line

Guide to the Bakerloo line

The Bakerloo line, known as the brown line by most Londoners, stretches from Harrow and Wealdstone in suburban north-west London to Elephant & Castle in the south. It serves many of the city's popular destinations, like Trafalgar Square, Waterloo and Picadilly Circus, and offers easy access to countless parks, restaurants, bars, cafés and more. Here's our guide to the Bakerloo line, covering activities we think are well worth a visit at many of the stops along the route.

In this guide
  1. Bakerloo line guide
    1. Mercato Metropolitano – The flagship spot
    2. Southbank Centre Food Market – Riverside dining
    3. BFI Southbank – For the film fanatics
    4. National Theatre – A renowned theatre space
    5. The Old Vic Theatre – For theatrical productions in Waterloo
    6. Hayward Gallery – Contemporary art
    7. Tonight Josephine – An ode to Napoleon's wife
    8. The Strand Lane Baths – Roman history and heritage in the city
    9. CellarDoor – The perfect drinking spot
    10. Somerset House – Neoclassical architecure
    11. Victoria Embankment Gardens – A tranquil oasis
    12. The National Gallery – For the art aficianados
    13. Churchill War Rooms – Where the war was won
    14. Admiralty Arch – A London landmark
    15. Dumplings' Legend – Every flavour of dumpling ever
    16. Café TPT – A Chinatown hot spot
    17. The Photographers' Gallery – For the photography enthusiasts
    18. The Barley Mow – A classic English pub
    19. The Wallace Collection – For magnificent European art
    20. Daunt Books – The first custom-built bookshop in the world
    21. British Museum – Human history at its best
    22. Natural History Museum – Natural history and culture
    23. Chiltern Firehouse – Five-star luxury
    24. Daylesford Organic – An organic bite to eat
    25. Puppet Theatre Barge – Perfect for the little ones
    26. The Waterway – A scenic bite to eat
    27. Clifton Nurseries – One for the horticulturists
    28. Kiln Theatre – Creative performances and innovative work
    29. Darcie & May Green – Brunch on a boat

Bakerloo line guide

Mercato Metropolitano

The flagship spot

Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant and Castle is the flagship venue of the two markets (the other is in Mayfair), focusing on sustainability and social responsibility. It's home to more than 40 independent vendors serving delicious cuisine from all around the world. It's located inside a disused paper factory and hosts various community events, like live music and theatrical performances. There's even a microbrewery, so you can sink a few pints post-snacking.

  • Closest station: Elephant & Castle

Southbank Centre Food Market

Riverside dining

Southbank Centre Food Market is an excellent way to get a taste of food from all around the world. It’s located a short walk from Waterloo Station and makes for the perfect riverside picnic spot. Pick up a duck confit burger, pad Thai or chicken katsu curry before perching up beside the Thames for lunch alfresco-style.

  • Closest station: Waterloo & Embankment

BFI Southbank

For the film fanatics

BFI Southbank showcases a range of films on its four screens, spanning cult favourites and the latest releases to all-time classics. But it’s more than just a film complex; it also houses a riverfront bar and restaurant with epic views of the Thames. There are also exhibitions, talks and other events taking place throughout the week, and an on-site shop for stocking up on film merchandise.

  • Closest station: Waterloo
National Theatre – Bakerloo line guide
National Theatre
National Theatre – Bakerloo line guide
National Theatre
National Theatre – Bakerloo line guide
National Theatre
National Theatre – Bakerloo line guide
National Theatre
National Theatre – Bakerloo line guide
National Theatre
National Theatre – Bakerloo line guide
National Theatre

National Theatre

A renowned theatre space

The National Theatre is one of the most renowned theatres in the country that puts on both classic plays and new works by rising and established talents. It’s housed in a grade II-listed South Bank building, which was constructed in 1977 and is styled after the Ancient Greek theatre in Epidarus. You’ll also find a theatrical bookshop, restaurants and exhibition spaces.

  • Closest station: Waterloo & Embankment

The Old Vic Theatre

For theatrical productions in Waterloo

The Old Vic Theatre, originally built in 1819, is set inside a stunning historic grade II-listed building and is known as one of the most prestigious theatres in London. It holds up to 1000 people and shows new and returning productions by emerging and renowned creative directors.

  • Closest station: Waterloo

Hayward Gallery

Contemporary art

Soak up the contemporary art scene at Hayward Gallery, an award-winning gallery set inside a beautiful brutalist building. The inside is drenched in natural sunlight from the ceiling skylights alongside an interior that’s been recently refurbished. The art showcased here features works by internationally acclaimed artists, pop-up works and immersive experiences.

  • Closest station: Waterloo

Tonight Josephine

An ode to Napoleon's wife

Napoleon was married to a rule-breaking wife, Josephine, who is the inspiration behind Tonight Josephine, a glitzy cocktail bar in Waterloo below Bar Elba. This is one of the most Instagrammable bars in London; think pink neon signs, striking graphics and mirrored floor-to-ceiling walls. The cocktail menu includes drinks like the Violet Femme made with Bombay Sapphire, Briottet Crème de Violette, fresh lemon juice, sugar, egg white and Parma Violet sweets.

  • Closest station: Waterloo

The Strand Lane Baths

Roman history and heritage in the city

Explore a little slice of Roman history in Embankment at Strand Lane Roman baths, one of the area’s best-kept secrets. There’s an ongoing debate about whether the baths are Roman or whether they are infact from the Tudor period since the bricks used are generally larger than those used throughout the Roman times. Either way, they’re impressive enough that Dickens wrote about them in his novel David Copperfield.

  • Closest station: Embankment & Charing Cross

CellarDoor

The perfect drinking spot

This intimate cocktail bar feels like 1930s Berlin meets NYC and is the perfect late-night drinking hole. It’s located in a former toilet beneath Aldwych Street and is stylish and dimly lit with ambient neon lighting. They also host a range of live music performances, cabaret, burlesque shows, and drag performances.

  • Closest station: Embankment

Somerset House

Neoclassical architecure

Somerset House is home to a community of organisations and professionals within the arts and social scene. It’s set inside a regal Georgian-era building, in a Neoclassical-style building, with cafes, bars, restaurants and an art gallery. They host regular concerts, exhibitions and fairs indoors and outside in their famous courtyard.

  • Closest station: Embankment

Victoria Embankment Gardens

A tranquil oasis

These mid-19th-century gardens, north of the Thames between Blackfriars Bridge and Westminster Bridge, are a peaceful place to escape the hustle and bustle of the busy city. The park was designed by landscape gardener Alexander McKenzie - who also designed Alexandra Palace - and is filled with beautiful flora, fauna, benches and deckchairs.

  • Closest station: Embankment

The National Gallery

For the art aficianados

The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square is home to one of the most impressive collections of European paintings. They represent some of the best painters to ever exist, including works by Van Gogh, Leonardo da Vinci and Monet, to name a few. It’s well worth a visit for anyone interested in art dating back from the 13th century to the early 20th century.

  • Closest station: Charing Cross

Churchill War Rooms

Where the war was won

Churchill War Rooms are just a stone’s throw away from the British Prime Minster’s residence at 10 Downing Street. They’re a secret underground bunker where Winston Churchill and his government ran the country during World War II. It comprises corridors and rooms where some of the most critical decisions in history were made, ultimately determining the outcome of World War II.

  • Closest station: Embankment

Admiralty Arch

A London landmark

This landmark building in London has played a critical part in many of London's most significant ceremonies, ranging from royal weddings and funerals to coronations and more. King Edward VII commissioned it in memory of his mother, Queen Victoria, and it was later designed by Sir Aston Webb in 1910 - a renowned figure who also worked on Buckingham Palace.

  • Closest station: Embankment

Dumplings' Legend

Every flavour of dumpling ever

Dumplings' Legend is the place to go for innovative dumplings made with an innovative selection of flavours. They’re made using traditional techniques and filled with creative fillings like spicy crayfish and black truffle with seafood - with a total of around 47 different types to choose from. Fancy a sing-song post-face-stuff? They’ve got private karaoke rooms for hire.

  • Closest station: Piccadilly Circus

Café TPT

A Chinatown hot spot

Café TPT is an intimate Chinatown spot serving an assortment of sweet food from China, including soups, glossy Peking duck, sizzling hot pots, and meat and seafood dishes. It’s an authentic place to enjoy traditional Chinese fare in a laid-back setting. There’s also a selection of Malaysian dishes like nasi lemak.

  • Closest station: Piccadilly Circus

The Photographers' Gallery

For the photography enthusiasts

This is the country's first-ever art gallery dedicated entirely to photography and photographic works. Over the years, they have built an international community of photographers and now showcase photography in all its forms. They host regular exhibitions, tours, special events, and a range of workshops and courses for those who want to hone their photography skills. There's also a shop to purchase prints and other photography-based items and a café bar, open seven days a week, serving coffee, specialty teas, and a daily menu of freshly prepared salads, sandwiches, and lunch dishes.

  • Closest station: Oxford Circus

The Barley Mow

A classic English pub

The Barley Mow is a traditional British pub with stripped-back wooden floors, classic brass taps and dim lighting. It’s a quintessential London pub stocking a range of draught beers, spirits and traditional pub grub, like beer-battered haddock and chips and classic burgers.

  • Closest station: Oxford Circus

The Wallace Collection

For magnificent European art

The Wallace Collection is a house gallery showcasing more than 5,500 of the finest European artworks, from paintings and sculpture to ceramics, furniture and arms and armour, all gifted to Britain in 1900. Inside, you'll find artwork by some of the greats, like Canaletto, Hals, Rembrandt, Rubens, Velázquez and Vigée Le Brun, to name a few.

  • Closest station: Oxford Circus
Daunt Books Marylebone – Bakerloo line guide
Daunt Books Marylebone
Daunt Books Marylebone – Bakerloo line guide
Daunt Books Marylebone
Daunt Books Marylebone – Bakerloo line guide
Daunt Books Marylebone
Daunt Books Marylebone – Bakerloo line guide
Daunt Books Marylebone
Daunt Books Marylebone – Bakerloo line guide
Daunt Books Marylebone
Daunt Books Marylebone – Bakerloo line guide
Daunt Books Marylebone
Daunt Books Marylebone – Bakerloo line guide
Daunt Books Marylebone
Daunt Books Marylebone – Bakerloo line guide
Daunt Books Marylebone

Daunt Books

The first custom-built bookshop in the world

Daunt Books is constantly earning the title of one of the most beautiful bookshops in the city. There are several dotted around London, but the branch located in Marylebone is arguably the most impressive. It was built in 1910 and is made in an Edwardian style with long oak balconies, stained glass windows, and skylights. It was supposedly one of the first custom-built bookshops in the world. You’ll find everything from fiction and non-fiction to classics and contemporaries, all organised by genre.

  • Closest station: Marylebone

British Museum

Human history at its best

The British Museum spans the whole of human history and was the first-ever museum in the world to open to the general public. It houses one of the largest permanent collections on the planet, totalling around eight million works. Everything is divided into period and origin and includes exhibitions like the legendary Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.

  • Closest station: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus
Natural History Museum – Bakerloo line guide
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum – Bakerloo line guide
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum – Bakerloo line guide
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum – Bakerloo line guide
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum – Bakerloo line guide
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum – Bakerloo line guide
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum – Bakerloo line guide
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum – Bakerloo line guide
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum – Bakerloo line guide
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum – Bakerloo line guide
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum – Bakerloo line guide
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum – Bakerloo line guide
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum – Bakerloo line guide
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum – Bakerloo line guide
Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum

Natural history and culture

Although it's about a 25-minute walk from Paddington Station, you get to stroll through the pretty Hyde Park to reach The Natural History Museum, a must-visit for anyone interested in natural history collections, culture and nature. The museum is devoted to exploring and studying the biological world and includes specimens from various natural history fields arranged throughout the halls. These include extinct species like the great auk and Mao bird and the pigeons that assisted Darwin in developing his evolution theory. The building itself is an architectural landmark located within an old Victorian mansion.

  • Closest station: Paddington (stroll through Hyde Park)

Chiltern Firehouse

Five-star luxury

Chiltern Firehouse is a five-star hotel that features 26 suites and an award-winning restaurant which specialises in high-end all-day dining, including a separate weekend brunch menu. The main menu celebrated contemporary cooking with a focus on ingredients and an emphasis on seasonality and healthy eating.

  • Closest station: Marylebone

Daylesford Organic

An organic bite to eat

Chow down on garden-fresh produce sourced from Daylesford’s organic farm in the Cotswolds at the café and farm shop in Marylebone. You can enjoy a selection of chunky sandwiches, salads and other snacks. Or, simply while away the day browsing through the homeware section at the adjoining shop.

  • Closest station: Marylebone

Puppet Theatre Barge

Perfect for the little ones

Puppet Theatre Barge is the UK’s only floating barge and has been around for more than 40 years. It’s located on a beautiful covered barge, seating 55 people comfortably. It’s heated throughout the winter months, so you don’t have to worry about getting chilly on board. Their shows range from marionette performances to puppet shows.

  • Closest station: Warwick Avenue

The Waterway

A scenic bite to eat

The Waterway overlooks the Grand Union Canal and is a picturesque spot to enjoy a bite from their all-day dining menu. It comprises an assortment of contemporary European dishes, like burgers, steaks, and salads, alongside an extensive drinks menu. The interior is stylish, laid out in a chalet-style fashion, and extra cosy when the fireplace roars throughout the colder months.

  • Closest station: Warwick Avenue

Clifton Nurseries

One for the horticulturists

This plant nursery and garden shop in the heart of Maida Vale is one of the city's oldest and most beautiful garden centres. It's been a big inspiration for gardeners around the world since the 1800s and houses a pretty glasshouse filled with exotic flora, plants, foliage and trees. When you've got your fill of flowers, browse all the garden accessories in the shop.

  • Closest station: Warwick Avenue

Kiln Theatre

Creative performances and innovative work

This Kilburn-based cinema has an international reputation for its incredible timetable of innovative work that provokes debate and emotionally engages the audience. The venue seats 292 people and has a 200-seat cinema, bar and café on-site. There are also three rehearsal spaces that are used for workshops, productions and creative learning projects.

  • Closest station: Kilburn

Darcie & May Green

Brunch on a boat

There are two reasons to go to Darcie & May Green in Paddington: firstly, it’s located on an excellent restored barge painted by pop artist Sir Peter Blake and for their award-winning banana bread. It also makes an excellent bottomless brunch spot, with the option to add 90 minutes of limited edition Daisy Fizz or a selection of bottomless kombucha teas for a surcharge.

  • Closest station: Paddington

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Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.