Battersea Power Station

Battersea Power Station is an iconic building on the London skyline. Originally built to supply electricity to the city it lie abandoned for many years before being redeveloped for residential and commercial use.

The two halls of the power station are now filled of shops and restaurants on multiple levels with residential flats and offices above.

The surrounding buildings are mostly residential with various shopping and dining facilities. The entire area is easily accessed via an extension to the Northern Line underground line to Battersea Power Station.

Lift 109 is an attraction that takes you up 109 meters in one of the smokestacks of the power station with great views of London. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance online.

The attraction consists of a small exhibition talking about the construction of the power station with hands-on displays. When called forward you proceed into a small “infinity room” (not terribly impressive) for a brief video before boarding a short lift which takes you to the top of the power station itself where there is a short walk to the base of the smokestack followed by 39 steps around the circumference of the stack where you then board a circular glass lift up the chimney. When you get to the top you have about eight minutes to take pictures (the attendant can take your picture if you require). After returning to the power station you are, of course, deposited in the gift shop.

Glide Battersea is a seasonal ice rink (Christmas/New Year) in the front of the power station beside the river. Timed tickets are available online or on the door which are for 50 minute sessions including skate rental. There are “penguin” ice skating aids for children available to hire. On site there is a cloak room to check bigger items of luggage as well as a large glass-covered bar area. The ice rink is reasonable size and very hard making for some tricky skating.