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Step Inside: Battersea Power Station
Everything you need to know about London's historic venue, from its rooftop bars to its unusual link to Pink Floyd
| Venue Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Venue Name | Battersea Power Station |
| Location | Battersea, London |
| Parking Information | Battersea Power Station has two on-site carparks, and a number of public carparks can be found nearby |
| Address | Battersea Power Station, London SW8 5BQ |
| Phone # | 020 7361 0000 |
| Capacity | Up to 4,500 for events |
| Opened | 1933 (redeveloped 2022) |
| Architect | Sir Giles Gilbert Scott |
| Website | batterseapowerstation.co.uk |
When you hear the words “power station” you may not immediately think of a relaxing spa treatment, a romantic dinner date spot, or even a trip to the cinema. But inside this historic, revamped venue, there is a lot to see and experience. Whether it’s a casual weekend outing, a family day out, or even for the people planning Christmas trips weeks ahead – Battersea Power Station can facilitate any social gathering.
Originally constructed in 1929, with the architectural direction of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott (the man responsible for the UK’s red telephone boxes), the redeveloped Battersea Power Station is now home to residential and commercial properties, and a full programme of events – including the Glide ice skating rink.
Battersea Power Station History
It’s hard to imagine one of London’s premier ice-skating Christmas spots as an actual power station, but between 1929 to 1983, it was exactly that. At the peak of its existence, Battersea Power Station produced a fifth of London’s power and supplied electricity to the Houses of Parliament and even Buckingham Palace. The station’s iconic chimneys were proposed as square in the early designs but were changed to the 50-metre-tall cylindrical chimneys we know today.
By the 1940s, the plumes from those chimneys were a beacon of navigation to both RAF and Luftwaffe pilots – which is how the station remained mainly un-targeted during World War II. And by 1955, with all phases of construction finished, the final station’s size was so big that it could fit the entirety of St Paul’s Cathedral. By the 1980s the building was shut down and purchased by privately owned companies, which led to decades of disuse. But not before rock royalty Pink Floyd used Battersea Power Station as the image for the album, Animals, in 1977. The final album cover art was a picture of an inflatable pig between two of the station’s southern chimneys – which was tethered to the chimneys for the picture to be taken. The pig wasn’t tied down as securely as everyone hoped, and it floated up into a Heathrow Airport flight path and had to be tracked down by police!
Development and re-opening
In 2012, the disused station was purchased by a group of shareholders – SP Setia, Sime Darby Property and the Employees Provident Fund – to begin plans of redevelopment from a Power Station into homes, restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as cultural event spaces. Work on the corresponding Underground Station began in 2015, to give the developing community easier access to transport.
The chimneys were refurbished to their original heights, and by 2022, Battersea Power Station and Electric Boulevard were open to the public.
Food, drinks and amenities at Battersea Power Station
Battersea Power Station boasts a 24,000 sq ft Arcade with a Food Hall; rooftop gardens, bars, restaurants, and a hotel; plus over 150 shops and restaurants on the ground levels of the shopping centre (for those who are height averse.) Additionally there are two cinemas, the Arches Lane Theatre, which specialises in bringing the best of local theatre to the community, and an exhibition space powered by NEON.
Parking and admission at Battersea Power Station
For visitors visiting Battersea Power Station by car, there are car parks accessible via Pump House Lane, SW11 8BJ and Circus Road West, SW11 8EZ. There are over 200 parking spaces available, including 45 disabled parking spaces, all with a height restriction of 2.2 metres. Both car parks have EV charging bays, and are open seven days a week. The cost of parking at Battersea Power Station is £6 for under two hours, £10 for two – four hours, £16 for four – six hours, and £30 every 24 hours. Motorcycles can park for free.
Getting to Battersea Power Station by public transport
Visitors travelling to Battersea Power Station via Tube can get there via the corresponding tube station, which is on the Northern line and is in Zone 1. There are also a number of stations that have easy access to Battersea Power Station, including Victoria Station (on the District, Circle and Victoria lines) which is a 20-minute walk away or a 10-minute bus journey away. Sloane Square station on the District and Circle lines is also a 12-minute walk away or a five-minute bus journey away, and Vauxhall on the Victoria line is a 20-minute walk away or a five-minute bus journey to Battersea Power Station via Pump House Lane.
