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A true London landmark, Battersea Power Station has stood proudly beside the Thames for almost a century. After decades of generating electricity for the capital, this mammoth structure soon fell into disrepair. Yet thankfully, with the arrival of regeneration in this corner of the city, Battersea Power Station has been gifted a whole new lease of life.
The Power Station and its surrounding area are home to thousands of new residents, bringing with them lots of interesting places to explore, eat, and hangout. The 42-acre redevelopment is scattered with the works of world famous architects, and the area has fast become one of the most exciting new spots in London. Ready to see the changes for yourself? Read on for all the essential info when planning a trip to Battersea Power Station.
Where is Battersea Power Station?
Battersea Power Station is in the Nine Elms area, directly on the south bank of the Thames. The address is: Circus Road West, Nine Elms, London, SW11 8EZ.
How do I get to Battersea Power Station?
Travelling into London by train
The closest SWR train stations to Battersea Power Station are Queenstown Road (Battersea) and Vauxhall. The former is 11 minutes’ walk away, while that latter is a touch further at 21 minutes – but the route does include a stretch of the scenic Thames Riverside Walk. Popular services run from Weybridge, Virginia Water, Wokingham and Bracknell.
Explore our variety of ticket types and find the right train ticket for your trip. You can choose from plenty of flexible options, especially if you’re looking to save money and get cheap train tickets. And don’t forget you’ll enjoy an additional discount if you’re eligible for a Railcard or are making the journey as a group, through GroupSave.
Travelling within London
The Battersea area is easy to reach from across the capital when travelling by train. Both Vauxhall station and Queenstown Road (Battersea) station are a short stroll from the Power Station, with services running direct to these from major hubs like Clapham Junction and London Waterloo, as well as some outer of the areas of the city such as Richmond. The journey from London Waterloo to Queenstown Road (Battersea) takes as little as seven minutes.
You can also make the journey to Battersea Power Station using the London Underground, via the recently completed Northern Line Extension. The Battersea Power Station stop is less than 200 metres from the building itself and provides access from across the city, including directly from London Waterloo.
With its four towering chimneys and imposing position over the River Thames, Battersea Power Station has become London’s unlikely landmark. Built in two phases between 1929 and 1955, this industrial building was a working coal-fired power station until 1983 – by which time it had already been given Grade-II* listed status. Yet despite this recognition, nobody really knew what to do with the structure. Ideas including a theme park, biomass plant, urban garden or football stadium came and went, but by the 2010s, Battersea had practically fallen into ruin.
Thankfully, all was not lost. A multi-billion pound redevelopment scheme including the station and its surrounding area begun in 2013. Almost ten years after the project kicked off, the reborn Battersea Power Station has finally taken shape. It’s been a mammoth task to get here, from replacing the iconic chimney stacks to extending an Underground line, but the Power Station now sits as the centrepiece for one of London’s most interesting neighbourhoods.
Battersea Power Station has already welcomed its first new residents, along with tons of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues along the new pedestrianised high street Electric Boulevard and in the Power Station itself.
As the first part of the project to be completed, the glossy Circus West Village has had some time to establish itself. Directly beside the Power Station, you’ll find more than 20 independent bars, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues to explore here.
Shopping at Battersea Power Station
Since launching in late 2022, the two Turbine Halls at Battersea Power Station have become the capital’s coolest new retail destination. At the heart of a bustling and growing neighbourhood, the development has managed to attract UK and international names from the worlds of fashion, beauty, technology, health and more.
Among major players to keep an eye out for are Reformation, Abercrombie & Fitch, Ace & Tate, Jo Malone London, BOSS, Mulberry, The Kooples, Aesop, Kiehl’s, M·A·C, ZARA and more. A new neighbourhood bookstore, Battersea Bookshop, from specialist bookseller Stanfords and a pop-up from Curated Makers, which will host more than 40 local independent small businesses selling homeware, candles, clothing, artwork and more will also be opening within the Power Station. Further brands will open throughout the rest of 2022 and into 2023.
Entertainment and events
The Arches at Battersea Power Station
Alongside food hunting and retail therapy, Battersea Power Station activities provide plenty of ways to keep you busy. Among your options are:
The Cinema in the Arches – a state-of-the-art, premium three screen cinema showing the latest releases alongside National Theatre Live tapings
The Cinema in the Power Station – a five-star cinematic experience with innovative surround sound, crystal clear projection and a private member’s bar
The Turbine Theatre – an intimate theatre space set beneath the railway arches, with an exciting schedule of plays, presentations, and performances
Birdies Crazy Golf – a colourful crazy golf experience with a quirky nine-hole course and cocktail bar
DNA VR – an interactive virtual reality experience with more than 50 games available, alongside escape rooms and free-roaming zones
Bounce – opening in 2023, a full-throttle ping pong experience, with a range of group games and fun-filled activities offered alongside food, cocktails and an electric atmosphere
There are also several events that take place at Battersea throughout the year, including:
Light Festival – a series of spectacular light installations from celebrated international artists, usually on display in January and February
Summer Showtime – classic cinema screenings in the open-air, beside the River Thames during the summer months
Christmas at Battersea Power Station– a Christmas celebration of all things festive throughout November and December, with, fairground rides, pop-up food huts and family-friendly activities such as ice-skating
You can keep up to date with all the latest goings on by checking Battersea Power Station’s events guide.
Battersea Power Station Chimney Lift
Anybody who has visited Battersea will remember gazing up at those iconic chimney stacks. But from 2022, you can get a whole new perspective when you peer down over the capital from the top of the north west chimney! Lift109 transports visitors all 109 metres to the top, treating them to panoramic, 360° views of the growing London skyline. It’s easily among the most exciting viewing platforms in the capital.
If you’re something of a fitness fanatic, there’s plenty of ways to get your pulse racing at Battersea Power Station. Boom Cycle’s flagship studio can be found at Circus West Village, offering high-intensity, music-focused exercise class experiences while making use of state-of-the-art equipment. There is also Be Military Fit’s Urban training system, with cutting-edge outdoor classes hosted in the shadow of the station itself.
Those looking for a more exclusive fitness experience have two health clubs to pick from. Opening in 2023 will be BXR London, a world first luxury boxing gym concept – as well a new branch of Third Space, a high-end health club group that’s already established across the capital.
Private business and events spaces
Got a big event to host? Then Battersea Power Station could be your dream venue. There are several dedicated events spaces across the site, including those suited to the most intimate or largest scale occasions. Options range from the 18-person capacity Cinnamon Kitchen right through to No.29 Power Station West, which holds up to 550.
If you’ve business to keep on top of, The Engine Room is your ideal base. This state-of-the-art coworking space provides members with ready-to-use private offices as well as meeting rooms, breakout zones and more.
Things to do near Battersea Power Station
Given its Central London location, there’s lots to see and do just a short distance from Battersea. Families will love a day out at Battersea Park Children’s Zoo, where little ones will spot donkeys, otters, monkeys, and wallabies. The iconic London Eye is a short walk up the river and a crowd-pleaser for all ages, while an afternoon of cricket at The Oval is one for the adults.
Food and drinks
Home to a great selection of independents, Battersea Power Station’s food offering has gone from strength to strength. You’ll quite literally find something for everyone among the eateries here, including plenty of child and dog-friendly options.
For the early birds, Black Sheep Coffee and No.29 Power Station West should see you start your day right with delicious coffee and breakfast menus to choose from. If you’re here for lunch, you’ll love the Japanese food at Tonkotsu, poke bowls at Poke House or Le Bab’s gourmet kebabs, while Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza, Tapas Brindisa and Fiume are popular evening options. If you head to Gordon Ramsay Street Kitchen, you can get 20% off food and drink through SWR Rewards. Need a sweet treat? Head for Where The Pancakes Are or try the Japanese and French inspired delicacies at Kova Patisserie. There’s even Clean Kitchen Club’s new flagship store offering an all day delicious vegan menu. And that’s before we mention the tipples at Battersea Brewery and Vagabond Wines, or the incredible riverside views at Megan’s At The Power Station, an all-day Mediterranean dining concept.
Looking to let your hair down with friends? Control Room B is among London’s most unique all-day bar experiences, occupying one of the Power Station’s two original control rooms. Expect industrial 50s styling and quirky touches throughout.
Places to stay near Battersea Power Station
If you need somewhere to rest your head when you visit Battersea, you’re in luck. Within a short distance of the Power Station, you’ll find options to suit all tastes and budgets.
If you’d love to enjoy unrivalled views of this converted landmark, don’t miss the super stylish art’otel London Battersea Power Station. This luxe lifestyle hotel is located in the shadow of the four famous towers at Battersea Roof Gardens, with 164 beautifully curated rooms alongside a destination rooftop bar, restaurant and swimming pool.
Those looking to save their spends for Battersea Power Station restaurants and activities may wish to opt for Travelodge London Battersea or Travelodge London Vauxhall. If you’re looking for a touch of luxury, top-rated options include London Marriott Hotel County Hall and The Cadogan. Meanwhile, Pesanta Chelsea Bridge sits comfortably between budget and luxury, as does Best Western Plus Vauxhall where you could get 10% off your stay through SWR Rewards.
