The Vaults by Train: Everything You Need to Know

The Vaults is situated under Waterloo station in central London, making it extremely easy to reach by rail. Formerly the UK’s busiest railway station, London Waterloo is still one of the stations with the highest usage despite the “Elizabeth line effect”. It recorded over 62.5 million entries and exits in 2024 and remains the station with the most floor space and platforms in Britain. The station is served by South Western Railway, with services to and from London to places like Portsmouth, Bristol, Exeter, Reading and Weymouth.

If you’re travelling into London Waterloo, you can connect to the station’s free WiFi, purchase food, drink and other items from the new retail spaces on the balcony or collect or buy train tickets from the ticket office or machines. The ticket office is opposite platforms 16–17 and open 05:30 to 23:15 from Monday to Saturday and 06:30 to 22:30 on Sunday. To work out the best route for your journey, you can take a look at the TrainPal journey planner. The best way to get cheap tickets is to book in advance on the TrainPal website.

Once you’ve arrived at Waterloo Station, exit via Exit Two onto Waterloo Road (there should be a Sainsbury's opposite). Turn right and walk towards the Old Vic, then turn right onto Bayliss Road. Take the second right on to Lower Marsh. For the Launcelot Entrance, walk for 100m, past Vodafone, and turn right onto Launcelot Street. For the Leake Street Entrance, walk for 150m and turn right into a tunnel (Leake Street, graffiti tunnel), and you’ll see The Vaults on your right-hand side.

The Leake Street graffiti tunnel, founded by Banksy, is a public space where visitors can view the ever-changing work at any time. This can be accessed via the Leake Street main entrance. The immersive theatre shows change every few months and performances usually take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, plus there’s also a Saturday matinee show. You can see what show is currently on by checking the what’s on page of their website. The theatre space is accessible via the Theatre Entrance on Launcelot Street. Tickets are generally available from £19.

The Vaults is a place where talented artists from every vocation come together to mutate their art; to make stuff that is challenging, accessible, and imaginative. It encourages those that have a natural affinity to the unusual, the daring, and the unknown. The immersive arts venue supports and co-produces with innovative immersive theatre makers; fusing together art forms and championing unsung voices, especially those of the LGBTQ+ community. It aims to make immersive experiences for everyone, and focus on big and current ideas told in outlandish, accessible, and fun ways.

Bars & Pubs

If you’re feeling thirsty after your visit to The Vaults, there’s no shortage of bars and pubs in the local neighbourhood. The closest one is The Vault’s sister venue, Vaulty Towers, a unique pub with a regular entertainment programme including quizzes and DJ sets. If you prefer a quintessential real ale pub, the King’s Arms is worth considering.

Restaurants

Looking for a bite to eat while in the area? You’ll find plenty of options to suit all tastes, including The Fire Station, which has an extensive all-day food menu, as well as popular chains like Nandos and the family-friendly Giraffe.

Hotels

Are you planning to stay overnight after your trip to The Vaults? There are lots of hotels to suit all budgets nearby, from the luxury four-star Park Plaza – which has a swimming pool and spa – to more purse-friendly like the Travelodge or the Premier Inn.

Shops

Fancy a bit of retail therapy after your visit to The Vaults? The Sidings is a great place in Waterloo to gather, shop, chat, eat, laugh, and be entertained. Brands include Kiehl’s luxury cosmetics.

Portsmouth to London

You can get a direct train from Portsmouth to London Waterloo, with journey times typically taking just over 2 hours with Southern or South Western Railway. There are over 100 trains a day. Once you arrive at Waterloo, The Vaults is on your doorstep (well underground). For tips on how to get the best price for your train to London, check out the TrainPal guide to cheap train tickets.

Bristol to London

The train journey from Bristol to London usually takes around 1h 14m and 1h 34m, depending on which train service you take and which train station you want to arrive at. The main train line that operates between Bristol and London is the Great Western Main Line, serviced by Great Western Railway (GWR). The main departure station is Bristol Temple Meads, and the arrival stations are London Paddington and London Waterloo, which is obviously handy for The Vaults. Book online in advance on TrainPal.

Leicester to London

The route from Leicester to London St Pancras International covers a distance of 90 miles and is operated by East Midlands Railway (EMR). It’s often non-stop, with only occasional stops at Market Harborough and Kettering, and takes around an hour. Once you arrive at St Pancras station, you can walk across to King’s Cross, then get a Picadilly line tube to Piccadilly Circus, followed by a Bakerloo line tube to Waterloo to get to The Vaults. To work out the best route for your journey, take a look at the TrainPal journey planner. Great-value tickets can be booked in advance on the TrainPal website.

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip

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