Sandwiched between stylish-and-swanky Chelsea and hip-and-happening Clapham, you will find the modest and oh-so-demure neighbourhood of Battersea. Okay, perhaps there isn’t anything particularly demure about that big old power station gleaming on the riverside but you catch my drift. For years, Battersea has lived in the shadows of its notable neighbours but has recently had a bit of a glow up and is ready to make its comeback.
From a glorious green space to its very own brewery, there are plenty of reasons why Battersea is finally getting its time to shine, and with a relatively new tube station thrown into the mix, it’s easier to pay a visit than ever before. We’re here to give you the lowdown on the very best things to do in this charming South London district, so here goes.
Have a wander round Battersea Park
This is not just a park, this is Battersea Park and there is SO much to do and see here. Need a beautiful backdrop for a picture-perfect picnic? Fancy a quick game of mini golf at Putt in the Park? Want to have a look at the magnificent Japanese Peace Pagoda or have a stroll around the Pump House Gallery? Well, Battersea Park really does have it all. Oh, and did I mention that there’s even a children’s zoo right in the middle? Basically, it’s the park to rival all parks, and you won’t want to miss it.
Jump on board the Battersea Barge
Hop aboard this award-winning, floating wonderland of all things entertainment. You’ll find a bar, a stage, and a truly unique setting to enjoy an array of musical, comedy, and cabaret performances. Plus, everything is just more fun on a boat. Fact.
Fancy feasting your eyes on over 180 authentic artefacts from one of Ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs? The hit Ramses and the Pharaoh’s Gold exhibition is located at Neon in Battersea Power Station, boasting an extensive collection of age-old treasures with immeasurable historic and cultural value. Inside, you’ll find the ornate 3,000-year-old coffin of Ramses II himself, the gold mask of King Amenemope, storied limestone statues, golden jewellery and even animal mummies. The rare exhibition comes direct from the Egyptian Museum Cairo and is the only UK stop on a world tour, so you won’t want to miss out.
Plus, if you’re looking to entertain the kids this summer holidays, Horrible Histories have brought the Ancient Egyptians to life for a terrible tour of the awesome artefacts led by Ramses himself. All the family can delve into shudder-worthy facts of death and decay with mummies, hear some intriguing tales about Tutankhamun, and attempt to sing along to the infamous mummy rap.
Battersea Power Station has been the talk of the town (well, city) since its revamp, and for good reason. After decades of sitting derelict, the building was brought back to life and has been transformed into a state-of-the-art destination for all things shopping and leisure.
You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to where you’d like to partake in your retail therapy, with an impressive variety of shops and high-end fashion brands. Sip on some post-shopping, power station-inspired cocktails at Control Room B, a truly unique cocktail bar with a setting that allows guests the chance to get up-close-and-personal with the Control Room’s original dials, control desks, and switchgear racks.
Catch a show at the Turbine Theatre or embark on a virtual journey at DNA VR, and when you inevitably feel like you’re not ready to go home; book a stay at London’s first art’otel, a super fancy lifestyle hotel, complete with a heated rooftop pool and jacuzzi, located within Battersea Roof Gardens.
Join the party at The Magic Garden
This enchanting pub, restaurant, and garden is the perfect place to seek solace from the hubbub of London life. The Magic Garden serves up ‘festival in a pub’ vibes with their extensive and eclectic variety of live music, their delicious food and drinks, and their unbeatable warm and friendly atmosphere. We’ll drink to that!
Have a pint at Battersea Brewery
Nestled under the railway arches next to Battersea Power Station, Battersea Brewery pride themselves on providing the hardworking people of London with good beer and good times – what more could we ask for? The delicious beer they create is freshly pumped directly from the tanks in their brewery, straight into their on-site taproom, so it’s the ideal place to stop for a refreshing pint during a long day of exploring Battersea.
Stuff your face with bottomless pizza at Street Pizza
There’s only one thing we like more than pizza: bottomless pizza, and Gordon Ramsay has absolutely come through for us with his chain of pizza joints, Street Pizza. We’re talking bottomless sourdough pizza (for only £17, might I add) with a side of immaculate vibes. It’s certainly up our street.
Stop and smell the roses at Battersea Flower Station
When in Battersea, be sure to pay a visit to this charming and serene garden centre, plant shop, and florist. Their collection of houseplants is unbeleafable; from cacti to cheeseplants, they have everything you need to bring the outside into your home. You’re also guaranteed to have a bunch of fun wandering around their outdoor plant section, and their flower selection is blooming lovely. Okay, I’ll stop with the flower puns now.
Elevate your trip to Battersea with a visit to Lift 109, where you can experience a breathtaking view of London’s iconic skyline. Although identical to the other three from the outside, the North West chimney of Battersea Power Station contains a glass elevator that will transport you to a viewing platform 109 metres above the ground. You won’t want to miss this new and thrilling way to view our stunning city.
Swing through the trees at Go Ape
We all know that growing up is a trap anyway, so revert back to your tree-climbing, zip-wiring, fun-filled childhood with a trip to Go Ape. A love (or at least an indifference) for heights is a must for this one as the treetop crossings in Battersea are twice the height of those at most other Go Ape locations – eek. You’re guaranteed big fun in the big city with this adrenaline-filled activity.
Catch a performance at Battersea Arts Centre
If you’re looking to fill your day with something a bit more theatrical, Battersea Arts Centre is paving the way for creative spaces across the city. Located in the former Battersea Town Hall, this beautiful building is home to a diverse community of artists and creators. From live music and theatre to stand-up comedy and workshops, Battersea Arts Centre is bursting at the seams with events that aim to entertain, inspire, and spark positive change.
Being the world’s first relaxed venue and making sure that most of its shows are available on a pay-what-you-can basis, this innovative venue really does have accessibility and inclusivity at the heart of everything they do.
Take a tour of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
I couldn’t possibly write an article about Battersea without giving a shoutout to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, could I?
On specific days, the London centre is opening its doors for customers to get a behind-the-scenes peek at the incredible work that they do. Visitors will get the rare opportunity to pay a visit to the kennels and cattery, stop off at the outdoor exercise paddocks, learn about the history of the centre, and hear firsthand how their state-of-the-art clinic and hydrotherapy pool transform the lives of so many animals. Sounds pretty paw-some to me.
Unfortunately to actually take a dip in the world-renowned swimming-pool-in-the-sky, you need to be a resident of the splashiest apartment block in town, but it’s definitely worth a quick look if you’re in the area. Residents of Embassy Gardens get to float on air (literally and figuratively) whilst the rest of us get to gawp up at them resentfully. Seems totally fair.
Commute in style on an Uber Boat
Take a wander down to Battersea Power Station pier, hop on an Uber boat, and soak up the riverside sights of London right from the middle of the Thames. As well as being a quick and convenient way of getting from central London to Battersea (albeit it slightly more expensive than the bus and the tube), there’s something undeniably exciting about zooming down the river on a high-speed catamaran, especially if you’ve had a drink or two from their onboard bar.
Catch a movie at The Cinema In The Arches
Another hidden gem burrowed within the arches next to the Power Station is The Cinema in the Arches. This intimate and luxurious cinema has three state-of-the-art screens for you to kick back and enjoy a movie in. Whether it’s the newest blockbuster or an independent film that takes your fancy, you’ll be watching in true comfort and style with their reclining seats, considerable cocktail menu, and homemade popcorn.
Plan your visit here.
Dine under a railway arch
Nestled under one of the old railway arches is one of the newest and cosiest additions to Battersea’s restaurant scene. Archway is a gorgeously intimate Italian restaurant with an ever-changing menu, celebrating the very best seasonal ingredients. The restaurant and its menu epitomise ‘small but mighty’, offering the relaxed and homely feeling of being at a friends dinner party. A friend that makes sensational Italian food and knows exactly the right wine to serve alongside it, I might add.
If you’re looking to taste the best of Battersea, make sure August Bakery is on your list. A dream spot for croissant connoisseurs and bread buffs, the artisan bakery is listed among the Good Food Guide’s best bakeries in Britain – one of ten London entrants on the list – and topped the list of the Bakers’ Dozen 2026 from British Baker (the leading information source for Britain’s baking industry). You can swing by to get your hands on their popular sesame miso sourdough and devour a dizzying amount of cookies, cakes and pastries.
Relish a mindful morning with JOIA
Need a mental reset after a hectic week of work? On the last Saturday of each month, the 15th-floor art’otel restaurant JOIA teams up with lululemon to offer a rejuvenating morning among the clouds. The experience kicks off with a 60-minute yoga session, where attendees of all abilities can reconnect with their minds and bodies while learning the art of flow and balance, all set against London’s skyscraper-dotted skyline. Then, you can head to JOIA to tuck into a specially curated brunch menu which celebrates Iberian cuisine.
