A few days back, my London Shoes undertook another trek ‘Saaf’ of the River, to Battersea Power Station – it was my Shoes 2nd visit there during the past 4 weeks or so.
The purpose of this particular venture out was to visit the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” Exhibition that’s on at the ‘NEON’ venue, located right next door to the iconic Power Station landmark.
The ‘Neon’ – covering a space of 3,200 square metres – only opened a year ago 1 (May 2025) and is Central London’s first ever purpose-built entertainment and cultural exhibition venue.
The plan is for Neon to host at least 2 international sized/themed exhibitions per year – which in turn will not only generate significant income but will also create employment for the local community.
The first exhibition hosted by Neon was ‘Jurassic World’ which opened in May 2025 and ran right through until January 2026 – and it was very successful.
The 2nd exhibition at Neon is “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” which opened in April 2026 – and it was this that my London Shoes ventured over to Battersea to see.
Now – for this Shoes day out, I was accompanied by the long-suffering Mrs Shoes(ie Angela), who is interested in all that Egyptology stuff – and in fact, back in 1972, was lucky enough to have visited the now much talked about “Tutankhamun” Exhibition that was held at the British Museum. The 50 items on display for that Exhibition at that time, were valued at £9m……..which was a lot of money some 54yrs ago!!!
The Neon venue’s ‘Ramses & the Pharaoh’s Gold’ exhibition has 180 authentic Egyptian artefacts and treasures from the tombs on display – and has been fully endorsed by the ‘Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities’.
The exhibition focuses on the life of ‘Ramses II’ one of Egypt’s greatest Pharaoh leaders.
Ramses II came to the throne (so to speak) at the age of 25 and reigned for 66yrs. He eventually died at the age of 90.
Upon his death, he was buried in a tomb in the Valley of the Kings, although his body was later moved to the Royal Cache where it was discovered by archaeologists in 1881.
Now – confusingly, Ramses can also be spelt ‘Ramesses’ as apparently Egyptian hieroglyphics did not differentiate E’s and S’s…….very confusing for a simple soul like me.
Also – I couldn’t work out why the info about old ‘Ramses II’ says he was born in 1303 BC and died in 1213BC – surely he could have lived his life in reverse !!
I was just about to tell one of the exhibition staff that they’d made a right old error and got this particular bit of info the wrong way round, when Mrs Shoes in a rather superior manner, pointed out to me that BC dates count downwards to ‘0’ AD…….so, I guess that’s something else I learnt from the visit.
The exhibition at the Neon venue includes ancient statues / stone etchings / tiling / Royal coffins / all sorts of gold fittings-jewellery and adornments – plus loads of other stuff.
Although I personally felt it was a bit pricey for what it was – but, if you’re into all the ancient Egypt stuff (which Mrs Shoes is) then its well worth a visit, as you don’t know when or whether you’ll get the chance to see such exhibits again.
You can put on a set of headphones that provide you with a running commentary throughout – but it’s just as easy to follow the story boards and signage that accompany each artifact.
There is a VR room where you can walk with old Ramses II through ancient Egypt – but, you have to pay extra for that experience, and with entry costing £25 per ticket, my London Shoes decided to give that particular avenue of pleasure a miss.
I did, however – fork out a bit of cash in the gift shop when I paid for some complex piece of machinery to create an illustration of me & Mrs Shoes in ancient Egyptian clobber, along with our names written in Egyptian hieroglyphics……(well – it seemed like a good idea at the time!!).
So – having spent a good couple of hours ambling through and enjoying the ‘Ramses & the Pharaoh’s Gold’ exhibition, my London Shoes and accomplice, decided it was time for a little liquid refreshment and a bite to eat, and so we left the Neon venue, crossed the road and headed towards the famous Battersea Power Station, just a few yards away – where we enjoyed a cheeky Nando’s and a beer, before leaving the ‘dark side’ of the River and heading back north, and home to the ‘bright’ side.
All in all – another enjoyable trip out – hope you enjoyed the account of it and the accompanying photos.
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See below the entire gallery of photos taken to accompany this London Shoes blog article
The 2022 ‘Battersea Power Station’ tube station – on the Northern Line (ie the Black one indicated on a standard tube map) – is the nearest station to the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” exhibition at the ‘NEON’ venue
With the iconic Power Station building now a major London attraction – it has become an extremely popular place to visit
There are plenty of ‘feet’ on the pavements/walkways surrounding the Battersea Power Station building – directing visitors to the ‘NEON’ venue and its “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” exhibition
Me & my London Shoes – following the ‘Pharaoh Feet’ leading to the ‘Neon’ venue and its “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” exhibition (2026)
The ‘NEON’ venue, located right next door to the iconic Power Station landmark. The venue covers a space of 3,200 square metres and only opened 1yr ago (May 2025) and is Central London’s first ever purpose-built entertainment and cultural exhibition venue.
The plan is for Neon it hosts at least 2 international sized/themed exhibitions per year. The first exhibition hosted by Neon was ‘Jurassic World’ which opened in May 2025 and ran right through until January 2026 – and it was very successful.
The 2nd exhibition event that Neon have hosted is “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” which opened in April 2026 – and it was this that my London Shoes legged it over to Battersea to see.
For this Shoes day out, I was accompanied by the long-suffering Mrs Shoes (ie Angela), who has always been quite interested in all that Egyptology stuff – since visiting the groundbreaking “Tutankhamen” Exhibition way back in 1972 held at the British Museum.
The visuals that greet you enter the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” at the ‘Neon’ venue
The visuals that greet you enter the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” at the ‘Neon’ venue
The visuals that greet you enter the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” at the ‘Neon’ venue
The ‘Ramses & the Pharaoh’s Gold’ exhibition has 180 authentic Egyptian artefacts and treasures from the tombs on display – and has been fully endorsed by the ‘Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities’.
The exhibition focuses on the life of ‘Ramses II’ one of Egypt’s greatest Pharaoh leaders. Ramses II came to the throne (so to speak) at the age of 25 and reigned for 66yrs. He died at the age of 90.
Upon his death, ‘Ramses II ‘was buried in a tomb in the Valley of the Kings, although his body was later moved to the Royal Cache where it was discovered by archaeologists in 1881.
The exhibition at the Neon venue includes ancient statues / stone etchings / tiling / Royal coffins / all sorts of gold fittings-jewellery and adornments – plus loads of other stuff.
Me & my London Shoes – at the ‘Ramses & the Pharaoh’s Gold’ – at the ‘Neon’ venue Battersea – London SW11
The exhibition displays several mummified animals – that were buried with the Pharaoh’s
The exhibition at the Neon venue includes ancient statues / stone etchings / tiling / Royal coffins / all sorts of gold fittings-jewellery and adornments
Inside the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” Exhibition at the ‘Neon’ venue Battersea
Me/my London Shoes with the current Mrs Shoes (ie Angela) – at the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” exhibition – currently being hosted at the ‘Neon’ venue – Battersea SW11
Inside the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” Exhibition at the ‘Neon’ venue Battersea
Inside the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” Exhibition at the ‘Neon’ venue Battersea – (Ramses II destroying his enemies)
Mrs Shoes (aka – Angela) – viewing some of the 180 Egyptian artefacts and treasures on display at the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” Exhibition
Inside the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” Exhibition at the ‘Neon’ venue Battersea
Inside the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” Exhibition at the ‘Neon’ venue Battersea
Inside the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” Exhibition at the ‘Neon’ venue Battersea
Inside the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” Exhibition at the ‘Neon’ venue Battersea
Mrs Shoes (aka – Angela) – viewing some of the 180 Egyptian artefacts and treasures on display at the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” – ‘Neon’ Battersea London SW11
Me+my London Shoes – at the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” exhibition on at the ‘Neon’ venue Battersea SW11
Inside the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” Exhibition at the ‘Neon’ venue Battersea
Mrs Shoes – viewing some of the 180 Egyptian artefacts and treasures on display at the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” – ‘Neon’ Battersea London SW11
Quite possibly, very true
Ramses II came to the throne (so to speak) at the age of 25 and reigned for 66yrs. He died at the age of 90.
Using the structure of his mummified body – the exhibition is able to display graphics showing what Ramses II would of looked like – in his 30’s
Similarly – and what Ramses II would of looked like – in his 80’s
And what his mummified body looks like now
Inside the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” Exhibition at the ‘Neon’ venue Battersea London SW11
Mrs Shoes – viewing some of the 180 Egyptian artefacts and treasures on display at the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” – ‘Neon’ Battersea London SW11
Inside the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” Exhibition at the ‘Neon’ venue Battersea London SW11
Another ancient mummy at the ‘Ramses II’ exhibition…..buy hey, she cooks a decent meal and she’s good to the kids !!!!
I paid for some complex piece of machinery to create an illustration of me & Mrs Shoes as ancient Egyptians, with our names written in Egyptian hieroglyphics……
The end result……listen, it seemed like a good idea at the time!!
The redeveloped Battersea Power Station – that officially opened to the public on Friday, 14/10/2022
Me+Mrs Shoes – having left the ‘Ramses II’ exhibition at the Neon venue – and walked just a few yards to the iconic London landmark ‘Battersea Power Station’ building – for some liquid refreshment and a spot of lunch.
Mrs Shoes (ie Angela) getting stuck into a ‘cheeky’ Nandos at Battersea Power Station – London SW11
Me – at Battersea Power Station – washing down a ‘cheeky’ Nandos with a refreshing beer – following an enjoyable time visiting the “RAMSES & the PHARAOH’S GOLD” at the ‘Neon’ venue – Battersea London SW11
Interesting as always Geoff.
We visited the Valley of the Kings a few years ago.
Spectacular, but I’m always in two minds as I feel that if they went to all that trouble to bury their people and believed they were helping them into the next life, maybe we should leave well alone.
Hmm Geoff .. I’m not buying the promotional guff about “central London’s first ever purpose-built entertainment and cultural exhibition venue”.
The latest maybe, but not the first.
I’d suggest that the original Crystal Palace in Hyde Park for the 1851 Great Exhibition probably takes that accolade!
And is Battersea even “central London”..?
Saw the Tutankhamun exhibition at the Saatchi Gallerya few years ago. That was very interesting.
Went to the 1972 exhibition, with my Dad😂
Great day out thank you for taking me with you.
Again a amazing trip trough history thank you 🇨🇦
Just had breakfast with Ramases and his gold, interesting and informative blog as always, I too went to the British Museum to see Tut, queued all my lunch hour, late back to work, but it was worth it, lifetime experience back then.