On the 2nd Jan – kicking off 2025, my London Shoes made a trek down to South West London, and in particular the district of Battersea – for the purpose of undertaking its first blog publication of the new year.
The purpose of the visit was to explore the historic, iconic London landmark that is…..
“BATTERSEA POWER STATION”
Now – Battersea has a significant personal importance to me, as it was where I was born (ironically, 68 years ago this month), and where lived for the first 5 years of my life – and although I have a few vague early memories, I was far too young for my surroundings to influence me in any way. However – having visited the area a few times in recent years, it is quite evident to me that Battersea is a completely different place these days, than it was back in the late 1950’s – early 60’s when I lived there.
For this London Shoes jaunt, I was accompanied by Mrs Shoes (Angela) who had a particular interest in checking-out the much talked about ‘shopping’ centre situated inside the old Power Station.
Before elaborating on that experience, I think it helps to take a look back to see just how this iconic London landmark went from being a place that supplied a vast chunk of London with electricity – to a place that is now viewed as being one of London’s most popular tourist attractions and retail sites.
Battersea Power Station, situated on the southern banks of the River Thames, in the London Borough of Wandsworth – first started life in the 1930’s – and something I never knew until now, was that it was actually built as 2 power stations – constructed separately, at least 20 years apart!!!
Station ‘A’ was constructed in the 1930’s – and consisted of just 2 large distinctive chimneys.
Station ‘B’ was built in the early 1950’s – and that’s when 2 more chimneys were added, giving it the site the appearance that we know today.
Before the 1930’s London’s electricity was by independent companies who serviced big industry customers. Any electricity left over, was then sold off to local councils for residential use.
The trouble with having all these different ‘suppliers’ was that there was no uniformity in the end-product – different voltages / differing costs etc.
In 1925 Parliament decided that a single grid was necessary to provide uniform standards / service & costs etc across London.
The construction for a large power station to be built alongside the River in Battersea was given the go-ahead.
However – there was some serious opposition about the plans to have it built in Battersea – objections to its construction were front page news.
The issues were debated at length in Parliament – with some protesters claiming that all babies born in inner London will be ‘bleached’ by the pollution. Others claimed that at least 20 square miles of London would be covered in layers of soot – and that everything ‘green’ within a 2-mile radius would be killed.
Sir Giles Gilbert Scott – the architect who had already designed Waterloo Bridge and the building that became Tate Modern, and also the iconic standard red Phone Box – was commissioned to do the business on the new Battersea Power Station – but only its Art Deco interior – another architect by the name of Pearce designed the exterior of the Power Station (i.e. the bit we all know and see) – although Sir Giles Gilbert Scott tends to get all the credit for the entire building.
When the 2 power stations were ‘joined up’ creating its 4 chimneys, Battersea Power Station was the largest brick-built building in the world.
Its chimneys, which stand 101 meters from the ground – were originally designed to be square.
By the time the 4th chimney was up and running, the size of the entire power station site was immense – for example, the space within its main boiler house was so big that it was said St. Paul’s Cathedral could fit easily in it.
At its peak Battersea Power Station consumed around 1 million tonnes of coal per year – that was delivered by boat, up the Thames from coal mines in South Wales and North East England.
During WW2 British pilots used to use the constant plumes of smoke being chucked out of the Battersea Power Station chimneys, as a navigational guide when coming back from a mission – as the Battersea Power Station smoke was so powerful, it would penetrate its way through the normal London mists/fog.
The trouble is, the German Luftwaffe also used to use the power stations chimney smoke as a target guide of where to drop their bombs!!
In the early days of WW2, in fear that we were about to be invaded by the Germans – the Bank of England legged it all the way over to Battersea Power Station with huge wads of surplus bank notes, which were then burnt in the furnaces – to stop the enemy getting their hands on our English Pounds.
At the peak of its life, Battersea Power Station provided a 5th of London’s electricity.
Because of its warm environment, it was said that at one time there were around 200+ feral cats taking up residence in the bowels of Battersea Power Station. The issue became so bad that a planned ‘cull’ took place – an action that reduced the number of resident cats down to about 6.
However – by 1975, with output falling and operating costs increasing – Battersea ‘A’ Power Station and its 2 west side chimneys, was closed down.
In 1980 Battersea Power Station was designated a Grade II Listed protection status – championed by Historic England.
By 1983 Battersea ‘B’ Power Station had also closed down – it completely stopped producing electricity and the entire operation was decommissioned.
At that time (1983), the whole complex could have been bought for £1.3m – and to think that today, you’d struggle to rent a room there for that sum of money.
Following its entire closure in 1983, Battersea Power Station became abandoned and desolate and remained so for the next 30 years.
During that period of time there were numerous proposals to buy the ‘protected’ site and turn it into something completely different.
There were loads of prospective buyers – with some big ideas and plans for the site – but nothing concrete ever transpired – I think ‘money’ and its ‘protected status’ had a big impact on many of the proposals.
Battersea Power Station was such an impressive landmark, it attracted lots of attention that was totally outside of ‘power making’.
As far back as 1936 the famous film producer Alfred Hitchcock (a Londoner himself) had used Battersea Power Station in the opening scenes of his film ‘Sabotage’.
Much later on there was a proposal for Chelsea Football Club to move from its current Stamford Bridge home to a new stadium built on, or next to – the Battersea Power Station site.
Scenes for various Dr.Who episodes have been filmed alongside and inside Battersea Power Station.
In the rock music world, Battersea Power Station is famous for Pink Floyd’s 1977 released album ‘Animals’ – on which the album cover has an image of Battersea Power Station with a massive inflatable Pig hovering over it.
The inflatable Pig was tethered between the 2 south facing chimneys for the photoshoot – but it broke away from its moorings and started to rise upwards, to the extent that it obstructed the flight path of planes coming in to land at Heathrow Airport. To avoid a catastrophe the Police had to fly alongside the Pig until such time it reached the Kent coastline, where it could be safely brought down to earth.
The Power Station also provided a dramatic backdrop to a scene in the classic 1979 released film “Quadraphenia” – that sees Jimmy (played by actor Phil Daniels) on his Lambretta scooter – heading down a Battersea street with the iconic Battersea Power Station in the background.
Apparently, a few years later, there was said to be a proposal submitted by Michael Jackson who wanted to turn the Battersea Power Station site into a fantasy theme park centre.
By 1983 the condition of the empty and now completely run down Battersea Power Station was described as ‘very bad’ by English Heritage – who then formally logged it on the official “Heritage at Risk Register”.
However – this is where the story of Battersea Power Station as it is today, begins.
After loads of fruitless proposals and ideas as to what could be done with the site, and following decades of disuse – in 2014 the Battersea Power Station was bought up by a Malaysian consortium of investors for £1.6bn – who then invested £millions upon £millions into redeveloping the site.
For the next 8 years this 42 acre landmark became one massive building site – employing thousands of workers to make it all happen.
Some serious extensive redevelopment work was undertaken – particularly to its historic art-deco interior.
Today (Jan 2025) Battersea Power Station building and its surround area, comprises of new homes / cafes / restaurants / shops / apartments.
Apparently, the likes of Sting / Bear Grylls plus many other celebs have bought apartments at Battersea Power Station.
The interior of the old Power Station building has been developed into a massive shopping centre, comprising currently of 150 shops selling mainly high-end brands, but there are also some high street retail outlets.
The interior shopping malls also have bars / restaurants and leisure and entertainment outlets amongst them.
The renovated Battersea Power Station ‘centre’ was officially opened to the general public in 2022, when ironically, that was probably the first-time non-personnel public had ever been allowed inside this historic London landmark.
The first weekend it was open, it was estimated that over 250k people visited the site.
Inside Battersea Power Station there is ‘Lift 109’ which (for a fee of £22) takes you to the top of one of the old chimneys, where you get a excellent panoramic view across old London town.
Throughout the interior, mixed in with the retail outlets, there are a number of the old fixtures and fittings on display from the days when it was a working power station – that remind everyone, especially current and future generations, of this iconic landmark’s past life.
Situated right next to Battersea Power Station is Battersea Power Station ‘tube station’ that opened in 2021 – an extension of the Northern Line (ie the black one on a standard tube map) that makes travelling to and from Battersea so much easier than it used to be – and a tube station that now makes Battersea one of London’s most desirable areas to live.
So – me and the current Mrs Shoes (Angela) spent a good couple of hours window shopping all the retail outlets inside Battersea Power Station and exploring every nook & crannie of this unique site, that, with it being the 2nd Jan, was still all ‘tinselled up’ – atmospheric and very busy. A very enjoyable experience it was too – will definitely return again in the summer, outside of the school holiday periods, when it may be a little bit quieter.
Before setting off back home, my London Shoes stepped into a nearby pub for a little liquid refreshment, and a bowl of chips.
The “DUCHESS BELLE” in Battersea Park Road is located directly opposite Battersea Power Station – and BPS tube station.
There’s been a pub on the site since 1789 – and it used to be called the “Duchess of York”. The current pub building dates back to 1883 .
.A blue plaque displayed at the bar, commemorates the fact that the now famous cover of the 1977 released Pink Floyd album ‘Animals’, was photographed from the pub.
The pub changed its name to the “Duchess Belle” in 2018 – and its decorated throughout with plastic flowers and foliage – horseshoe shaped bar – red leather bench seats – Victorian styled chandeliers and numerous wall mounted tv’s – very nice it was too.
So – that’s Battersea Power Station as it is in today’s world–in my opinion, definitely worth checking out.
Hope you enjoyed this little story and its accompanying photos.
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See below the entire gallery of photos / images that accompany this Battersea Power Station blog
Situated right next to Battersea Power Station is Battersea Power Station ‘tube station’ that opened in 2021 – an extension of the Northern Line (ie the black one on a standard tube map) that makes travelling to and from Battersea so much easier than it used to be – and a tube station that now makes Battersea one of London’s most desirable areas to live
Battersea Power Station and its famous chimneys – surrounded by exclusive flats/apartments – as they are today (Jan 2025)
Battersea Power Station’s and its chimneys – as they are today (2025)
The site surrounding Battersea Power Station – as it looks today (Jan 2025)
Battersea Power Station, situated on the southern banks of the River Thames, in the London Borough of Wandsworth – first started life in the 1930’s – and something I never knew until now, was that it was actually built as 2 power stations – constructed separately, at least 20 years apart. Station ‘A’ was constructed in the 1930’s – and consisted of just 2 large distinctive chimneys.
Station ‘B’ was built in the early 1950’s – and that’s when 2 more chimneys were added, giving it the appearance that we all grew up with and know today.
Battersea Power Station was such an impressive landmark, it attracted lots of attention that was totally outside of ‘power making’. As far back as 1936 the famous film producer Alfred Hitchcock (a Londoner himself) had used Battersea Power Station in the opening scenes of his film ‘Sabotage’.
The classic 1936 Alfred Hitchcock film ‘Sabotage’ used Battersea Power Station in its opening scenes.
At its peak Battersea Power Station consumed around 1 million tonnes of coal per year – that was delivered by boat, up the Thames from coal mines in South Wales and North East England.
By the time the 4th chimney was up and running at the Battersea Power Station site, it was said that the size of the entire site was so immense – that the space within its main boiler house was so big that it was said St. Paul’s Cathedral could fit easily in it.
When the 2 power stations were adjoined creating its 4 chimneys, Battersea Power Station was the largest brick-built building in the world.
In the rock music world, Battersea Power Station is famous for Pink Floyd’s 1977 released album ‘Animals’ – on which the album cover has an image of Battersea Power Station with a massive inflatable Pig hovering over it.
The Power Station also provided a dramatic backdrop to a scene in the classic 1979 released film “Quadraphenia” – that sees Jimmy (played by actor Phil Daniels) on his Lambretta scooter – heading down a Battersea street with the iconic Battersea Power Station in the background.
However – by 1975, with output falling and operating costs increasing – Battersea ‘A’ Power Station and its 2 west side chimneys, was closed down. By 1983 Battersea ‘B’ Power Station had completely stopped producing electricity and the entire operation was decommissioned.
Following its entire closure in 1983, Battersea Power Station became abandoned and desolate and remained so for the next 30 years.
During the decades that Battersea Power Station was abandoned and desolate, there were numerous proposals to buy the site and turn it into something completely different. There were loads of prospective buyers – with some big ideas and plans for the site – but nothing concrete ever transpired
In 2014 the Battersea Power Station was bought up by a Malaysian consortium of investors for £1.6bn – who then invested £millions upon £millions into redeveloping the site.
The interior of the old Power Station building has been developed into a massive shopping centre, comprising currently of 150 shops selling mainly high-end brands, but there are also some high street retail outlets.
A view of the retail outlet area inside Battersea Power Station
A view of the retail outlet area inside Battersea Power Station
Me – doing a bit of retail therapy inside Battersea Power Station
A view of the retail outlet area inside Battersea Power Station
Inside Battersea Power Station there is ‘Lift 109’ which (for a fee of ‘just’ £22) takes you to the top of one of the old chimneys, where you are allowed 5mins to enjoy get a unique panoramic view across old London town.
The queues – (plus original fixtures and fittings pipework) – lining up for Lift 109
A view of the retail outlet area inside Battersea Power Station
Me & Mrs Shoes (Angela) – doin a bit of retail therapy – at Battersea Power Station
A view of the retail outlet area inside Battersea Power Station
Mrs Shoes – having a mooch around one of the 150 retail stores located inside Battersea Power Station
Me – doing a bit of retail therapy inside Battersea Power Station
Throughout the interior, mixed in with the retail outlets, there are a number of the old fixtures and fittings on display from the days when it was a working power station – that remind everyone, especially current and future generations, of this famous landmark’s past life.
A view of the retail outlet area inside Battersea Power Station
Me – (Mutton) Geoff – lending an ear to a fellow visitor to Battersea Power Station
A view of the retail outlet area inside Battersea Power Station
Throughout the interior, mixed in with the retail outlets, there are a number of the old fixtures and fittings on display from the days when it was a working power station – that remind everyone, especially current and future generations, of this famous landmark’s past life.
Throughout the interior, mixed in with the retail outlets, there are a number of the old fixtures and fittings on display from the days when it was a working power station – that remind everyone, especially current and future generations, of this famous landmark’s important previous life.
Throughout the interior, mixed in with the retail outlets, there are a number of the old fixtures and fittings on display from the days when it was a working power station – that remind everyone, especially current and future generations, of this famous landmark’s past life.
Throughout the interior, mixed in with the retail outlets, there are a number of the old fixtures and fittings on display from the days when it was a working power station – that remind everyone, especially current and future generations, of this famous landmark’s important previous life.
Throughout the interior, mixed in with the retail outlets, there are a number of the old fixtures and fittings on display from the days when it was a working power station – that remind everyone, especially current and future generations, of this famous landmark’s important previous life..
Me – alongside a model of the old Battersea Power station structure – on display amongst all the retail stores inside.
Throughout the interior, mixed in with the retail outlets, there are a number of the old fixtures and fittings and original old brick work – on display from the days when it was a working power station – that remind everyone, especially current and future generations, of this famous landmark’s important previous life.
Coming out of the southern entrance/exit of Battersea Power Station – leads you down to the River Thames
The River – from Battersea Power Station – looking eastwards
Me – on the southern banks of the Thames – alongside Battersea Power Station
The River – from Battersea Power Station – looking westwards
The Thames side of Battersea Power Station
Me & Mrs Shoes (Angela) – with Battersea Power Station in the background
An evening photo of Battersea Power Station
An evening photo of Battersea Power Station
Battersea Power Station – all lit up and Christmassy
Before setting off back home, my London Shoes stepped into a nearby pub for a little liquid refreshment, and a bowl of chips. The “DUCHESS BELLE” in Battersea Park Road is located directly opposite Battersea Power Station – and Battersea Power station ‘tube station’.
There’s been a pub on the ‘Duchess Belle’ site since 1789 – and it used to be called the “Duchess of York”. The current pub building dates back to 1883 .
Inside the ‘Duchess Belle’ pub – Battersea Park Road – located opposite Battersea Power Station
A blue plaque displayed at the bar, commemorates the fact that the now famous cover of the 1977 released Pink Floyd album ‘Animals’, was photographed from the pub.
The now famous cover of the 1977 released Pink Floyd album ‘Animals’, was photographed from the ‘Duchess Belle’ pub in Battersea Park Road – directly opposite Battersea Power Station
Inside the ‘Duchess Belle’ pub – Battersea Park Road – located opposite Battersea Power Station
Inside the ‘Duchess Belle’ pub – Battersea Park Road – located opposite Battersea Power Station
Inside the ‘Duchess Belle’ pub – Battersea Park Road – located opposite Battersea Power Station
A perfectly poured pint of the ‘black stuff’ in the ‘Duchess Belle’ – just begging to be consumed
Me – necking down a ‘cheeky’ Guinness in the ‘Duchess Belle’ pub – Battersea Park Road – opposite Battersea Power Station..
Great to find out so much more about Battersea power station Geoff. Thank you. I can remember it as a child when i accompanied my dad in his RSPCA van around London on Sundays. It is always featured in old films of London and you can still feel the atmospheric presence of it. I visited it on a coach trip this year and i loved the original parts on show.
I also got a chance for a walk and i found a few more stink pipes so my day was complete.
Glad you enjoyed it Janice – and thanks for sharing your memories of visiting the area with your Dad – happy days eh.
By the way – do not hesitate to keep sending me the stink pipe photos – I will always add them to that particular blog article.
You can never get enough stink pipes – I always say….ha ha
Happy New Year to you
best wishes – GEOFF (www.londonshoes.blog)
I’ve just finished learning all about Battersea Power Station, what an interesting read, thoroughly enjoyed it. I was due to visit there in Autumn 2023 but the friend I was going with, was taken ill, but having now read your blog, it will be on my ‘to do list’ for 2025.
Born ‘n bred Patmore Estate, Battersea Power Station was, is, has been, and will be forever the memories of my 20-year start in life.
Family days out to Battersea Park mum dad four boys; the walk from age 5 to school St Mary’s Roman Catholic; the daily work-day travelling by train Battersea Park to Victoria Station the views along the full length to the right seemingly something new catching the eye every time.
The walk from Patmore Estate alongside the tracks that fed coal to the power station, up ‘n over along down from the bridge the dog’s home there opposite to the right, across the zebra-crossing, around the school, under the railway bridge, then right up along Battersea Park Road to Chelsea bridge.
Along this section numerous warehouses behind that wall that is no longer seemingly ran the full length of the road wrapping around both sides of T-junction entrances dotted here and there the only gaps to it.
The smells wafting the air so over-powering at times when wagon-loads of over-ripened whatever were opened, bananas more often than not, hitting mum ‘n dad, three brothers and this kid as we walked past.
Battersea Power Station setting the boundary marker ‘South of the river’, the top there of council estates as far as the eye can see.
The walk on over Chelsea bridge down past Chelsea barracks, to stop ‘n stare at soldiers on parade if I was lucky, onwards to Sloane Square where it was a choice ‘around the back of Peter Jones on through the backstreets to reach my big boy school the London Oratory located back then off Cale Street half way up to the left from Cale Street where the Royal Marsden Something-or-other is now’, No 10 has memories of Jimi Hendrix visiting mornings me stood nearby on gate-duty supposedly recording those arriving late for school, or ‘along King’s Road then right along Sydney Street’?
Lucky for me fourteen going on fifteen joining the London Oratory Army Cadets provided me even more choices.
Morning it was ‘off to school’, a walk through Battersea Park with a right the other side to cross Albert bridge.
Afternoon it was ‘off back home’, a walk down Sydney Street with a left along the King’s Road, to Sloane Square, past Chelsea Barracks, over Chelsea bridge Battersea Power Station dominating this vista the moment two of its chimneys appeared above trees from way of back down Chelsea Bridge Road.
These two walks combined were the ‘start’ and ‘end’ to perfect school days.
The options of several bus-rides one way or tother a walk through the backstreets to or from Sloane Square were just mixes in the tub of pick ‘n mix there for the picking, rain or sunshine, going to or coming from.
The history surrounding what is now a money making machine was an interesting read indeed as were the photos thank-you so kindly.
Re the design: I believe Pearce was the Engineer in Chief and therefore responsible for the power generation/functional design, while Scott (+ others) devised the internal and external architectural appearance, including the fluted chimneys.
Very interesting. Having family who lived in Battersea when I was young, we would always go by the power station. It’s on my list to visit this year.
It’s a fabulous iconic building beautifully redeveloped
I’m just putting together a guided talk for my group on the Power Station that is now the Tate, also Gilbert Scott, also built in two parts but oil fired, but immunity was granted from listing!
There is a fascinating documentary series on it on youtube, worth watching as it’s a study in massive building conversion.
Love that ‘Duchess Belle’ pub too, decent lunches as well.
Fantastic stuff once again Geoff. Cracking info I never knew before 👍
Wow, what an incredible blog! “Battersea Power Station – Then and Now” beautifully captures the transformation of this iconic landmark. It’s amazing to see how its industrial past has been reimagined for modern use while preserving its heritage. A must-visit spot for history and architecture lovers!
Thank you for your kind feedback Kelvin – it is very much appreciated.
I hope that you continue to follow my London Shoes weekly postings
Regards
GEOFF (www.londonshoes.blog)
What an excellent article about the Battersea Power Station redevelopment! I’m wondering if you would be available for a short interview? My granddaughter would love to feature your expertise in her A-Level Geography project on this topic. Please let me know if this is possible. Many thanks and keep up with the great work!