.jpeg)
Lower Marsh is a historic street just behind London Waterloo station, and it is home to Lower Marsh Market. The market runs Monday to Friday, 11am to 3pm, with affordable street food from around the world, crafts and fresh produce. It is a three-minute walk from Waterloo Station and two minutes from Lambeth North. Market trading on the street goes back to the early 1800s. Since June 2026, the street has also been car-free on Saturdays from 9am to 9pm. In the evening, UnWined Waterloo at 137 Lower Marsh pours wines from small producers alongside sharing plates. Stow Away Waterloo, an eco-aparthotel built from 26 recycled shipping containers, sits right above UnWined, so guests step straight out onto Lower Marsh.
Lower Marsh is a short street tucked behind Waterloo Station. It feels like a local high street hidden in the middle of London. You'll find cafés, pubs, bookshops, and independent stores. The London Eye and the South Bank are just a few minutes' walk away.
The name gives away its past. This corner of Lambeth was once marshland. It was drained in the 18th century, and the street kept its name. After Waterloo Station opened in 1848, people started calling the whole area Waterloo.
Stow Away Waterloo sits right on this street, at 137–139 Lower Marsh. When you stay with us, Lower Marsh is your front door. It's also on the market's own list of businesses on the street.
Lower Marsh Market has traded since the 1800s. At its peak, it claimed to be the longest street market in the UK. Today it is smaller, but still busy.
Weekdays are all about lunch. Stalls serve hot food from around the globe, plus crafts and fresh produce. Local workers start queuing from late morning, so arrive early for the best choice.
Good to know before you go:
The market also cares about the planet. It uses compostable packaging, recycles cooking oil, and runs on 100% renewable electricity. As an eco-aparthotel, Stow Away shares that thinking.
Since June 2026, Lower Marsh has been closed to traffic on Saturdays from 9am to 9pm. Bars and restaurants spill out onto the street, which makes for a relaxed weekend stroll.
In summer, Lower Marsh Lates brings free outdoor film nights to the street. For events throughout the year, check WeAreWaterloo, the local business group that runs the market.
Lower Marsh is one of the best places to eat near Waterloo station. It's calmer than the station concourse, and often better value. Here are a few local favourites:
For the evening, head to our ground floor. UnWined Waterloo is the wine bar in Waterloo that shares our building. It focuses on wines from small, independent producers. Their menus change every quarter, so there's always something new to try. You can drink by the glass or bottle, or take a bottle home from the bottle shop.
UnWined also serves small plates made for sharing. Pair a glass of something unusual with a few plates after a day by the river. Opening times change through the year, so check the UnWined website before you visit.
Looking for an aparthotel in Waterloo with real local character? Stow Away Waterloo is an eco-aparthotel built from 26 recycled shipping containers. Solar panels on the roof send spare power back to the grid.
Each studio has a kitchenette, a super-king-sized bed, and a marble bathroom. That makes it easy to live like a local. Grab lunch at the market, cook in your studio, then unwind downstairs at UnWined. See our rooms for the full list of features.
The location is hard to beat. The South Bank, the London Eye and the theatres around The Cut are all a short walk away. For more ideas, read our guide to things to do in Waterloo or explore our local area.
Come for a weekday market lunch. Stay for a glass of wine at UnWined Waterloo. Then sleep just upstairs at Stow Away. Planning a longer trip? Stay longer, pay less when you book direct with Stow Away.