After years of neglect as a result of multiple site owners (including, at one point, a company with grandiose ideas for a Theme Park) and failed development plans, Battersea Power Station is open for business. There's so much to see and do; from eating to drinking, shopping to movie watching, or even trying something a bit different by taking a glass elevator up one of the chimneys for a Power Station self-proclaimed "epic viewing experience" in Lift 109.
Battersea Power Station at dusk - the giant plug is part of the 2023 Light Festival!
What's in this article? Quick links to the Battersea Top 5:
On Friday, 14th October, 2022 - almost 40 years after shutting down - Battersea Power Station, the Grade II listed, former coal-fired station, which in it's heyday provided 1/5 of London's electricity, opened to the public for the first time in it's history. What has been created from the ashes (forgive the pun...) is a feast for all interests, from architecture to shopping, dining to live theatre, there really is an option for everyone on the newly developed site, which can now claim to be one of London's top retail and leisure destinations.
"At its peak, Battersea Power Station was supplying a fifth of London's electricity. After decades of sitting derelict, it is now open to the public as one of London's most exciting and innovative new destinations. The very building which once produced the energy that enabled people to eat, drink, shop and play in the City, now provides the venue for a new generation to do the same." Battersea Power Station Official - About Us
There's a new, pedestrianized high street, Electric Boulevard, which runs from the south of the Power Station to the new Battersea Power Station (Zone 1) Underground station. This being the final stop on the Northern Line extension, which can whisk you to Central London in a matter of minutes (Battersea Power Station to Leicester Square is 6 stops & 10 minutes).
With an overwhelming amount to experience, it would be easy to miss something out but do not fear, you've come to the right place - this article narrows down 5 Fun Things to Do on your day out at Battersea Power Station.
Tip #1 - Arrive in style on an Uber Boat by Thames Clipper
Battersea Power Station Chimneys just visible beyond the pier.
Uber Boat by Thames Clipper provide a speedy and cost-effective way to experience the London sights, and with the opening of the Battersea Power Station Pier, you can now travel on a Central Zone ticket (£8.30 one-way) all the way up to the newly developed Power Station area. I recommend starting your journey at either Tower (34 minutes pier-to-pier) or Embankment (19 minutes pier-to-pier).
As the towering yet iconic chimneys come into view, you'll be docked up and off the boat in a matter of minutes. For full details on Uber Boat, including timetables, getting the best prices and maximizing your chances for the best views onboard, read this recent Matt in London blog post - Sightseeing in London on a Tight Schedule? Problem Solved with Uber Boat - for under a tenner!
Tip #2 - Admire the architecture (inside & out)
The best thing about this option is that is costs you absolutely nothing! As you hop off the ferry (or walk across from the tube station), there's plenty to feast your eyes on. It's not just about the chimneys at Battersea (as mesmerizing as they are) - there's aesthetically pleasing design on the inside too. Here's what you can expect to see:
Inside
The Art Deco architecture inside Turbine Hall A.
Although the Power Station should not purely be viewed as a retail destination, all of the shops are located in the two newly restored Turbine Halls. These look identical from the outside of the building but step inside and you'll notice how different they are in their interior design. As you can see in the picture to the right, a number of split level walkways have been created, with escalators at each end of both halls offering easy access to the multitude of shops and restaurants.
Brutalist vibes in Turbine Hall B.
Turbine Hall A reflects the Art Deco style of the 1930s, the decade in which the Power Station was built, whilst Turbine Hall B, which was completed in the 1950s, has more of a brutalist, industrial look and feel. The openness of the space - particularly in Turbine Hall A - allows you to really soak in the design features.
The acoustics have been well thought-out also as, despite the hundreds of people inside the building, you experience the low hum of human nature and rarely feel overwhelmed by the decibels at any point.
Outside
The obvious attraction at the Power Station is the exterior views. The walkways around the building have been positioned in a way that is visually pleasing and compliments many a photo opportunity. There's also the opportunity for a "Chimney Selfie" out front... if you don't mind showing off your chins (see middle picture below for evidence).
The Power Station in daytime (L) and at dusk (R), with a well-positioned (?) selfie approximately 50m from the main entrance (M).
That's not all though. Take a walk around the full site and you'll be rewarded with seeing other points of interest. Aside from Sopwith Way, with it's bars, restaurants and cinema (which you can read about in Tip #5), a simple 180 degree turn away from the Power Station provides views of London's high-rise buildings that hug the River Thames.
The Coaling Jetty offers free views towards Central London.
You will get the best views onto the Thames from the newly opened, 110m long, Coaling Jetty. Another Grade II listed structure, the jetty was built in the early 1930s to facilitate the loading and unloading of coal. Subsequently decommissioned in 1983, and similar to the Power Station in that it has never been open to the public before, the jetty is just a short walkway away, and is completely free to access.
I'd recommend grabbing a coffee or a tray of chips from one of the nearby outdoor food vendors and taking a stroll down the jetty. In the spring and summer, the plants will be blossoming, and the views will be much clearer than in the slightly dreary February photograph provided. The jetty hosted a summer garden party to celebrate it's opening in August 2022, so keep an eye out for any other special events happening - this would be a great spot to sip some fizz and enjoy the sun setting over the capital.
Tip #3 - Get amazing views of London from the top of a chimney, at Lift 109
Views from Lift 109, looking east towards Central London. The sun shines in London sometimes - honestly!
An absolute must for anyone visiting the area is a trip 109 metres up the north-west chimney of Battersea Power Station, for an epic and unique viewing experience at Lift 109. The journey to the summit is just as awe-inspiring as the view when you get there, as you are slowly transported up through the inside of a neon-illuminated chimney, whilst standing inside a glass-encased lift [elevator] (not too dissimilar from the pods used on the London Eye).
As you come to a steady halt at the very top, you are met with a 360-degree panorama of London, with views as far as the Heathrow Air Traffic Control Tower to the west, and beyond the City of London and Canary Wharf to the east.
"PREPARE TO IGNITE YOUR CURIOSITY, IMMERSE YOUR SENSES AND ELEVATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE... ...make a thrilling ascent 109 metres to the top of the north-west chimney where you will take in stunning 360 degree views." Lift 109, Battersea Power Station
Ascending to the top of the chimney.
The experience, end-to-end, lasted around 30 minutes. You spend no more than 10 minutes stationary at the viewing point, with the rest of the time dedicated to getting there and back, which includes a mini museum immersive experience, an elevator to the halfway point, and a short walk up a large spiral staircase (i.e. around the perimeter of the chimney).
Tickets booked in advance during an off-peak time-slot start at £15.90, up to just under £25 for last minute, on the day purchases.
Loads of time for pictures once at the top!
There are limits on the number of people in each elevator ride - I was really surprised at how much room there was to move around - and it is strongly advised to book in advance, especially on the weekend. We got really lucky with a standby entry on the day, and were looking out over London fewer than 15 minutes after buying the tickets.
For a full overview of the experience, along with many more photographs and "pro" tips, read this Matt in London article dedicated to Lift 109 [Coming Soon].
Tip #4 - Hit the shops
One of many photographs taken inside the Turbine Halls.
I was amazed by the retail offerings inside Battersea Power Station, from high end brands selling handbags and watches, to your everyday, high street retailers. Something that struck me the most though was the car showrooms (there are two - Polestar and Genesis. Not car companies I'd ever heard of before but they seemed pretty popular based on the footfall inside!) - this is not something you expect to see in your average shopping centre.
If you like to plan your retail therapy in advance, you can view the full listing of shops on the Battersea Power Station website. You can filter by type of shop to narrow down your search. Note that as of March, 2023, a number of outlets are listed as "Coming Soon", this includes a handful of gyms too. So keep an eye on it, as the list of open stores continues to grow weekly.
Beware The Battersea General Store if you're short on time!
The Battersea General Store also looked to be a huge hit with shoppers. Almost like Battersea's own version of Planet Organic, with global produce from artisan suppliers and international brands.
My friend got lost in here for quite a while after just popping in to "have a look", subsequently spending a month's worth of pocket money on dog treats - so, be warned!
Tip #5 - Grab a drink or a meal before catching a movie or a stage show
As mentioned, there is plentiful dining and drinking options inside the Turbine Halls. However, for the best atmosphere, head outside to Sopwith Way - under 5 minutes stroll from the main entrance of Battersea Power Station, and just beyond the arc of bars adjacent to Riverside Walk - where you'll find a narrow street of entertainment options set inside the railway arches.
From left-to-right: Sip cocktails & play a round of golf at Birdies; Wrap from Simply Lebanese; Sopwith Way at dusk.
For such a short street, there's loads on offer, summarized below:
Enjoy a craft beer at the Battersea Brewery.
Grab a slice of pizza at Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza or some quick Malaysian fare at Roti King (always a line out of the door here!).
Looking for some not-so-fast food? The Cinnamon Kitchen (modern Indian) and Tonkotsu (Japanese Ramen & Katsu) has you covered.
Feeling active? At Birdies you can chow down a cheeky burger or sip a cocktail before playing a round of indoor, mini golf!
Looking for something more stimulating but less strenuous? Try out an "immersive virtual reality arcade experience" at DNA VR.
Prefer to view your entertainment on the big screen or a stage? Stop by The Cinema in the Arches - a two-screens cinema showing a vast array of movies - or The Turbine Theatre - a groundbreaking art space housing world premieres of new productions and classic stories reimagined for the contemporary audience.
From left-to-right: Simply Lebanese on Riverside Walk; Inhaling the halloumi & falafel wrap; DNA VR under the arches.
Short on time, after many hours earlier spent wandering the Power Station interior, I opted for a quick snack at Simply Lebanese, enjoying the Halloumi & Falafel wrap (don't forget to ask for the spicy sauce) priced at just under £9. This is one of a handful of food and drink vendors available to choose from. There are benches nearby, so you can have a sit down, fill your bellies, then head onto the next food/drink/shopping location!
Bonus Tip - Keep an eye out for upcoming Festivals
Pink Scorpion (?) watching over shoppers in Turbine Hall B.
There's so much going on at Battersea Power Station that it would be easy to miss some of the temporary events. However, some - like the annual Lights Festival, which ran for only the third time in 2023 (19th January - 5th March) - are relatively unmissable. See the giant illuminated plug, in the middle of a water feature, in the headline picture of this article, or see the pink (kind of) Scorpion (thing) suspended above the main shopping boulevard inside Turbine Hall B, which you can see in the image to the right.
In it's final week, the Festival even had a canine-friendly, "Light Festival Doggy Day", where our four-legged friends (accompanied by their owners of course...) were encouraged to adorn their "best light up collars" and head to the Power Station after dark for pet portraits and best dressed prizes.
There are bound to be more events in the summer, much like the Summer Garden Party on The Coaling Jetty (click here if you missed the information on the jetty, further up in this article), and - not yet mentioned - there is an "always on" Power of Place Gallery & Exhibition, showcasing the history of the area. Keep up-to-date with all that's going on by checking the official Events Page regularly.
You're all set - enjoy your day out in Battersea!
OK, you're good to go - there's loads more to see and do, this is just to get you started. And when you're done, why not join the debate that took over London recently (exaggeration maybe...) and head to Battersea Power Station...Station (which do you say?!) for the Northern Line towards home. Join the debate.
Is it Battersea Power Station or Battersea Power Station, Station?!
