Few places in London capture the feeling of old‑meets‑new quite like Battersea Power Station. Once a coal‑fired giant that powered a fifth of the city, later a roofless shell after a failed theme‑park dream, and now a glossy riverside neighbourhood of shops, restaurants, apartments, and its own futuristic Tube station — Battersea’s transformation is one of the most dramatic regeneration stories in the UK.
And for us, it became the perfect place to end a long, magical London day.
Leaving the London Eye & Heading for Battersea
After our day visiting British Museum & the London Eye, still buzzing from the views and the atmosphere along the Thames, we had one mission left for the day:
Dinner at Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza and a spot of shopping at Battersea Power Station.
We walked back to Waterloo Station, the sound of buskers echoing through the tunnels. That warm, echoey Tube‑tunnel acoustics that adds a spark of electricity to the atmosphere. Then we hopped onto the Northern Line, teleporting ourselves south to Battersea.
Battersea Power Station Tube Station: Stainless Steel & Brand New
Battersea’s station is seriously cool! All stainless steel, clean lines, modern lighting. It feels fresh, friendly, and almost futuristic. Hard to believe it’s only been open a few years.
As you emerge from the station, the Power Station isn’t hidden or subtle, it’s just there. Massive. Unavoidable. Surrounded by sleek new high‑rises, the old brick giant looks almost prehistoric in comparison. We joked that we were having dinner inside a power station, which sounded ridiculous.
Those four white chimneys poke into the sky, like they’ve watched London change for nearly a century.
Walking Through the New Neighbourhood
The walk from the station takes you through brand‑new streets lined with modern apartments, and pockets of greenery. It’s a whole new suburb stitched onto the Thames.
Up close, the building feels even bigger. The freshly cleaned brickwork looks almost new, even though the structure is nearly a century old. Walking inside, the high ceilings and exposed beams hit you immediately. Key details from the original design have been kept, but the space is so polished and modern that it almost feels unreal, clean to the point of feeling unlived in.
Even though the centre was busy, it felt vast and echoey. You never felt crowded, but you could easily get lost in this enormous space. The shops looked new and well‑maintained, and the glass elevators carried people up through the different levels like something out of a futuristic mall.
As we stepped inside, the young fella immediately said, “What? I don’t want to go shopping, where’s the all‑you‑can‑eat?”
Fair question.
Control Room B: History Meets Cocktails
Control Room B is now a cocktail bar, styled in a gorgeous Art Deco theme that nods to the building’s past. The restored dials, switches, and control panels give it this surreal “drinking inside a museum exhibit” vibe. If you’re looking for a place to relax, this is one of the coolest bars in the whole complex.
Shopping, Sneakers & The Chimney Lift
Battersea is packed with shops, high‑end, mid‑range, and everything in between.
After the shoe incident on day one, we made a beeline for Adidas to look at new sneakers.
We also wandered over to the entrance for The Chimney Lift, the chimney‑top viewing experience. It looked incredible, but since we’d just done the London Eye an hour earlier, we decided to save it for another trip. No need to double‑up on sky‑high views in one afternoon.
Dinner Time: Street Pizza Under the Bridge
The restaurants inside Battersea are definitely on the up‑market side! Sleek interiors, the whole deal. But we had a different destination in mind.
We headed back outside, walked down towards the railway bridge, and found Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza tucked underneath the arches. And honestly, it’s a very cool restaurant space. Rustic brickwork, industrial pipes, water dripping from the ceiling into little gutters. It’s gritty and fun.
We had the place mostly to ourselves, the perks of an early dinner and the staff were fantastic. The pizzas were amazing, and the whole vibe felt relaxed and fun.
And yes, this was absolutely the actions of a man who had “all he could eat.”
Heading Home: Northern Line, Chocolate & Tea
After being a remorseless eating machine, we wandered back to the Northern Line.
Since Battersea is the start of the line, the train was quiet at first, but as we travelled north it filled up more and more. We hopped off at Tottenham Court Road and ducked into a supermarket to hunt for UK‑exclusive chocolates.
I grabbed a Wispa bar, which turned out to be kind of like a chocolate Aero bar. Most of the others we can get back home in Australia, but it was still fun exploring the shelves.
We headed back, made a cup of tea, and got to bed early ready for the next adventure.
Battersea: A Place Reborn
From its 1930s Art Deco origins to its decades as a roofless ruin after the failed theme‑park project, Battersea Power Station has lived many lives. Today, it’s a thriving neighbourhood with shops, restaurants, apartments, a new Tube station, and even a chimney‑top viewing lift.
For us, it was the perfect place to end a long London day! A mix of history, architecture, food, and that unmistakable London energy that seems to follow you everywhere in this city.
FAQ: Visiting Battersea Power Station
Is Battersea Power Station worth visiting?
Yes! Especially if you want something a little different from the usual London landmarks. It’s great for shopping, exploring the architecture, grabbing a meal, or just wandering through a beautifully restored industrial icon. It’s not a “must‑see” for every traveller, but it’s absolutely worth a visit if you have a free afternoon or enjoy regeneration projects.
What is The Chimney Lift?
The Chimney Lift is a glass elevator that takes you up through one of the chimneys for a 360‑degree view over London. We didn’t do it this time (we’d just been on the London Eye), but it looks incredible and is one of the most unique viewpoints in the city. If we go back, it’s high on the list.
How do you get to Battersea Power Station?
The easiest way is the Tube. Take the Northern Line to Battersea Power Station. Just make sure you’re on the correct branch, as the line splits. Listen to the announcements or use the TFL app to check if you need to change trains.
Is Battersea Power Station in central London?
Not quite. It’s close, but not central‑central. It’s about a 3.5 km walk from Westminster, so the Tube is the faster option.
What is the Battersea regeneration project?
It’s one of the biggest redevelopment projects in the UK. The old power station and surrounding land have been transformed into a neighbourhood of shops, restaurants, apartments, offices, parks, and a brand‑new Tube station. Everything feels fresh, modern, and thoughtfully designed.
What’s inside Battersea Power Station?
A mix of high‑end and mid‑range shops, cafés, restaurants, bars, glass elevators, and preserved industrial architecture. It’s part shopping centre, part museum, part futuristic mall.
What is Control Room B?
Control Room B is a cocktail bar built inside one of the original control rooms. The restored dials, switches, and Art Deco details make it feel like you’re having a drink inside a living piece of history. It’s one of the coolest bars in the building.
Is Street Pizza worth it?
Yes, we had a great time. It is expensive but the pizzas were delicious, the space under the railway arches is incredibly atmospheric, and the all‑you‑can‑eat option is fun (and dangerous). No fishing required afterwards.
Is Battersea good for kids or teens?
Yes. The space is huge, clean, and easy to navigate. There’s plenty of room to wander, lots of food options, and The Chimney Lift is a fun experience for families. Teens will love the shops and the futuristic vibe. There’s also a wonderful area out the front to sit, relax, and take in the Thames.
Is Battersea Power Station crowded?
It can be busy, but because the building is so large and open, it rarely feels cramped. Even on a busy day, there’s space to move, breathe, and explore without feeling overwhelmed.
What’s the riverside area like?
Beautiful. There are big lawn chairs, grassy lounges, and wide paths along the Thames. On a warm day, it would be an amazing place to sit outside with a drink or just watch the river.
Can you live at Battersea Power Station?
Yes and the apartments look incredible. It would be an amazing place to live or even stay for a few nights if you’re visiting London and want something modern and unique.
How long do you need to visit?
1.5 to 3 hours is perfect for a relaxed wander, a bit of shopping, and a meal. Add extra time if you’re doing The Chimney Lift.
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