Battersea Power Station

The rebirth of an old relic is quite exciting. I enjoy going to Battersea Power Station. I particularly like it in the summer because they’ve got deck chairs outside and you could easily spend a couple of hours out in the fresh air, depending on the weather.

Battersea Power Station opened in mid-October 2022, but I chose not to go at the opening weekend. I wanted to go when the razzmatazz had died down, and I could see the place for what it was. I took the Northern Line tube down to Battersea Power Station. It was a smoother journey as we pulled into the polished station.

The new station is an indication of what was to follow. Everything is brand new, sparkling, gleaming and ready to explore and enjoy. I've rediscovered Battersea. Previously, I did not need to go south of the river. However, my mum told me she took me to Battersea Park as a toddler. The park is beautiful and is a short walk from the Power Station.

Bright and sparkly

I didn't go via the main entrance, which was WOW. Instead, I went to the side entrance and ended up in the luxury watch end. Regardless of which entrance you go in, be prepared to be Wowed. It did, however, have the Tate Modern vibe, but it's not Tate Modern take two. Battersea Power Station is a big Mall. The building is beautiful and tastefully restored, and everything looks so new, and it is a Chic Mall.

History

Battersea Power Station is a decommissioned Grade II Listed Coal-fired power station in Nine Elms in Battersea. The striking building is one of the most significant brick buildings in the world.

The building comprises two power stations, which are built in two stages. Battersea A Power Station was built between 1929 and 1935, and Battersea B Power Station, to its east, between 1937 and 1941, when construction paused owing to WWII.

Battersea B Power Station provided one-fifth of London's electricity.

Water cycled through the power station's systems was taken from the Thames. As a result, the station could extract an average of 1.5 gigalitres (340,000,000 imperial gallons) of water from the river daily.

Lights Go Out

Battersea A was decommissioned in 1975, and Battersea B in 1978. The building remained empty until 2014; until then, it was left as a derelict building.

The Power Station operated for forty years until coal went off fashion in generating electricity. There was a push to move towards oil, gas and nuclear power.

An Abandoned Ghost Town

Nobody knew what to do with the decommissioned power station. There were numerous plans to turn it into a theme park, a luxury hotel or high-end living.

None of these came to fruition. However, you can see the models presented in the exhibition on the Lower Floor. It's worth popping into if you have time and want to know more about the history.

The Power Station was sold In 2012 to Malaysian Developers.

Work And Play

The central focus of the regenerated site included housing, a blend of shops, cafes, restaurants, art and leisure facilities, office space and residential accommodation.

There are 800 homes of varying sizes around the Power Station. There are also 254 flats inside the Power Station.

In 2016, Apple announced it would be relocating 1400 from seven different locations inside the Power Station.

The entire project was criticised as a 'playground' for the rich. But, of course, you can decide when you go. I'll say they've done a fantastic job in regeneration, and hopefully, more local people will benefit from the change.

Travel Back To London In Style

Eateries dotted around, including restaurants, and there are plenty of coffee places.

If you want a quick coffee, you could go to the usual suspects like Starbucks but go for independent coffee brands instead. The retailers are out in full force.

I took the Uber Boat back to London. I topped my Oyster card, and the trip from Battersea Power Station to London Bridge cost me £7.50. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip back and highly recommend it.

I hope you will come down and see it for yourself.

Thank you for reading.

Best wishes,

Tabby London