Chase the good life
When it comes to finding the best afternoon tea in London, the challenge can seem daunting. This tea capital has so many options and it can be hard to know where to start. But have no fear, the Americans are here. I say that in …
It was surprisingly difficult to find the best fish and chips in London. As a commenter noted on our video review, “London doesn’t do good chip shops. You need to come north and try true English fish n chips.” For the uninitiated like myself, a …
Did you know that one of the best shopping experiences in London is at an old power station? The Battersea Power Station is basically a city within a city. We’ve traveled to many places, but this was truly a unique experience. For the video version of our adventure, don’t miss this on YouTube:
The first thing that strikes you when casting your eyes on Battersea Power Station is its scale. Four giant smokestacks shoot into the sky. The brick exterior of the building gives a true industrial feel.
When looking around the power station, however, you may be surprised to see modern buildings that include residences, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Glass buildings mix well with the otherwise industrial feel.
There’s also an incredible park that borders the River Thames. It’s remarkable what the developers did to an otherwise inoperable and shuttered power station. Instead of destroying history or letting it descend into a dilapidated state, the city collaborated with skilled developers to modernize it.
For a full overview of the Battersea Power Station history, check out their main website. But I’ll give a summary here of my favorite parts.
From the 1930s to the 1980s, Battersea was a working power station. At one point it was supplying 1/5 of London’s power, including power to the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.
In 1977, an inflatable pig was tethered to one of the southern chimneys, but came loose, interrupting the flight path of planes at Heathrow Airport. It finally landed off the coast of Kent. The pig lives on in infamy as album art for Animals by Pink Floyd.
England awarded Battersea Power Station Grade II historical status, which protects its architecture and historical interest. Three years later in 1983 the power station stopped generating electricity.
The property was sold a few times until 2012 when the current developers purchased it with the goal of ending over a decade of disuse. Now the 42 acres of Battersea Power Station are vibrant with amenities for living, working, and playing.
Bread Street Kitchen & Bar by restauranteur Gordon Ramsay is just one of many dining options at Battersea. It was a bit pricy – 22 pounds for fish and chips is steep! – but the two salads we tried were delicious. And Gordon’s signature dish, Beef Wellington, looked immaculate on plates even though I didn’t taste it.
The ambiance was lively, and the restaurant was family friendly – kids eat free so long as you order an adult meal. They had a great drinks menu, and the restaurant is well-situated at the top floor of the shopping center. Once you’re done eating, you’re in the thick of the shops!
In the main shopping area, there’s something for everyone. From high end watchmakers to my wife’s favorite store, Bimba Y Lola, there are shops for all tastes and desires. The brick interior of the space reminds you that you’re shopping in history.
You can always go to iconic London shopping destinations like Regent and Oxford Streets, but none will give you the full experience like Battersea Power Station. And I don’t even like shopping (that much). But when paired with a historical ambiance, great food and drinks, and a park bordering the River Thames, it’s tough NOT to have a good time.
We didn’t even go when the sun with shining. Admittedly, that’s a rarity in London, but I can only imagine how beautiful Battersea is on a nice day.
So in the end, it’s an adventure. It may be a bit of a trek for most people, but it’s well worth the effort. Then you can tell everyone that you shopped at a power station.
