Discover Battersea Power Station: A Luxe Precinct On The Thames

While still a work in progress, the development comes with the sheen of something new and plenty of things to keep you – and your family or friends – entertained.

Historic picture of Battersea Power Station (Image: Ian Lidell)

Battersea Power Station's History

Building began in 1929 and was completed in 1955. By 1933 the station started to generate power, eventually going on to supply a fifth of London with electricity.

In 1983 the power station was decommissioned and each of the following attempts to redevelop the site failed, until a group of Malaysian businesses stepped in.

The group of investors have overseen the painstaking restoration of the building, paying tribute to its former glory days, while at the same time, creating a thoroughly modern, futuristic precinct for people to live, shop and relax in.

Spring Festival at Battersea Power Station (Image: Charlie Round Turner)

Things To Do at Battersea Power Station

Take a stroll around the building to soak up its impressive architecture – both new and old - and then bask in its impressiveness from the station’s grassy riverside lawn.

For those who love designer brands, shopping at the power station will also take your fancy. With brands like Aesop, Gant, Ralph Lauren, Mulberry, Jo Malone and Calvin Klein, the shopping centre has plenty opportunities to spend big.

Lift 109 will take you through the power station’s history, from its power generating conception to its current iteration as a luxury shopping centre and district, before sending you sky high for perhaps one of the best vantages points in London.

Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station Exhibition Space (Image: Backdrop Productions)

Taking you to the top of one of the station’s chimneys, the view spans right across Battersea’s ongoing transformation to the Shard, Wembley Stadium, the US embassy and Crystal Palace Park in what is a truly extraordinary view.

For film fans, the power station has two cinemas - Cinema in The Arches which is an intimate cinema nestled under the train arches, and the luxurious complex inside the Power Station which will soon have a member’s club. 

Also found in the arches, The Turbine Theatre is a snug little venue showcasing new works as well as adaptations of classic tales.

Spring Festival at Battersea Power Station (Image: Charlie Round-Turner)

For people with children, Prospect Place Playground is an enclosed adventure park for children who want to climb, jump, swing and slide on things, sandwiched between the power station and the Tube station.

Children – and adults – can laze around the suntrap riverside lawns as well, which have a stack of deck chairs set up during the warmer weather for sunny, outdoor hangs.

There’s also Coaling Jetty, which is home to the power station’s open-air cinema in the summer season. During the warmer months, look out for food trucks and pop ups, as well as a programme of crafts and wellbeing activities for children and adults, with things like live music, yoga and crafting sessions for youngsters.

Spring Festival at Battersea Power Station, Coaling Jetty (Image: Charlie Round Turner)

With park benches permanently set up, even on a crisp,  clear spring or autumn day, it’s a charmed spot for a lunch break.

The precinct has a busy events programme all year round, packed with family events and things to do for children. Regular fixtures include theLight Festival at Battersea Power Station and Glide at Battersea Power Station in winter, but also look out of school holidays events and festivities for Easter and Christmas as well.

Pubs, Resturants & Bars at Battersea Power Station

Control Room B (Image: Johnny Stephens)

At the Power Station

Inside the power station you’ll find Gordon Ramsey’s Bread Street Kitchen, a pristine Pret, and Control Room B, an all-day bar serving drinks, snacks and nibbles bathed in a gentle neon glow. Coming later this year, the luxe Arcade Food Hall will open, with a selection of vendors and two in-hall restaurants much like its West End sibling venue. Also scheduled to open later this year, Noci, the Islington pasta restaurant launched by ex-Bancone crew.

Arcade Food Hall at Battersea Power Station CGI (Image: Battersea Power Station)

Circus Road West and River Front

Battersea General Store, which has a deli bar filled with sandwiches and giant bowls of salad for a quick and easy lunch, and a couple of coffee shops including Black Sheep Coffee stretch along Circus Road West towards the Thames, where you’ll find Italian restaurant Fiume by Calabrian chef Francesco Mazzei (Satoria, Mayfair and Radici, Islington), luscious brunch and all-day dining spot Megan’s at the Power Station, seafood restaurant Wright Brothers and neighbourhood bar and restaurant No 29 Power Station West, all with river-facing terraces that look robust enough to withstand all the seasons.

Rooftop pool at art'otel London Battersea Power Station (Image: Battersea Power Station)

Arches

Strolling along the attractive arches, you’ll find a string of much-loved restaurants. These include Malaysian and Singaporean street food vendor Roti King, the sublime Indian restaurant Cinnamon Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza, ramen joint Tonkotsu and Battersea Brewery serving up craft beers and ales.

TOZI Grand cafe (Image: Battersea Power Station)

Nearby

Many of the neighbouring apartment complexes come with ground level restaurants such as Wagamama, and find Italian restaurant TOZI on street level at the newly launched art’otel London Battersea Power Station.

Across the road, back on Battersea’s ye olde side, the Duchess Belle pub’s Victorian façade decorated in flowers oblivious to the futuristic refurb taking place across the road. Beyond this, find cocktail bar The Alchemist and NYC-inspired Darby’s in Embassy Gardens near the American Embassy.

For more information or to find out what’s on visit  batterseapowerstation.co.uk