This ultimate guide to the best things to do in Battersea, London will show you where to visit, eat, and stay south of the River Thames.
Located in the southwest of the city, on the opposite side of the river from Chelsea, Battersea is also bordered by the south London neighbourhoods of Wandsworth, Clapham, and Vauxhall.
The district is known by Londoners for the local cats’ and dogs’ home. It’s also where you’ll find Battersea Park. There’s also the revamped Battersea Power Station, a famous Grade II listed building which is now a major retail and leisure destination. The power station houses many local attractions, including the Lift 109 viewpoint, a brewery with a taproom, a VR experience, a cinema, and more.
Apart from the park and power station, places to visit in Battersea include a gallery, a theatre, and an arts centre. The area is foodie heaven, too, with so many great cafes and restaurants both within, close to, and beyond the power station. Some offer outdoor dining with river views for a most memorable meal.
To find out all you need to know about Battersea before your visit, read on!
Who is Battersea best for?
- Foodies
- Visual arts fans
- Lovers of outdoor life
- Architecture aficionados
- Those who like to be by the water
Top 12 Things to Do in Battersea
Battersea Park
There are plenty of things to do in Battersea Park, particularly when the sun is shining. The London Peace Pagoda can be found close to the river, and is one of 80 across the globe.
This big urban space is also family and pet friendly, offering a lake, gardens, an adventure playground, woodland, and a bandstand. You can also try Go Ape here, or call into the kids’ zoo within the park.
Battersea Park Children’s Zoo
Found within Battersea Park, this children’s zoo offers various activities and attractions based around smaller animals.
Kids can play on the equipment, attend feeding time, and encounter a range of creatures including mammals and birds such as chinchillas, lemurs, meerkats, monkeys, otters, parrots, and farm animals. There’s also a gift shop and cafe.
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
This animal rescue centre is really one for residents rather than visitors, but as it’s a local icon it had to be worth a mention. You shouldn’t just turn up, but as it’s based by the power station you might want to at least walk by.
Established way back in 1860, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home centres on caring for, and rehoming, pet cats and dogs.
The Turbine Theatre
This theatre at Battersea Power Station is positioned by the Thames, and has been operating since 2019. It showcases all things new, from emerging talent to contemporary takes on classic plays.
Battersea Arts Centre
Battersea Arts Centre on Lavender Hill specialises in theatrical performances. As well as innovative dance and drama shows, it offers a bar and restaurant on site serving good homemade food.
Pump House Gallery
Situated by the lake in Battersea Park, the Pump House Gallery is housed in an 1861 grade II listed building. In addition to visual arts exhibitions, the venue hosts workshops, talks, and even movie screenings.
Battersea Power Station
Once a power station running on coal, this iconic building has now been transformed into an attractive shopping, leisure, and dining destination.
It’s home to many Battersea attractions as well as restaurants and shops, including the Battersea Brewery, a cinema, Lift 109, and much more.
Battersea Brewery
One of the top things to do in Battersea Power Station is to visit the local brewery. This is a southwest London hub for craft beer-making, and can be found beneath the arches in Circus West Village. You can book tables in the taproom here, where food is also served.
Battersea Games
When you’re looking for Battersea events to get involved with, the Battersea Games run throughout July, August, and early September.
If you’ll be in London then, you can sample a range of activities, take part in sports, and watch events on the big screen at the Power Station Park.
Lift 109
At 109 metres above the London skyline, Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station offers a unique city viewpoint.
You’ll ascend by glass lift to the top from the art deco hall, which has displays sharing the power station’s history. Superb views of the power station, as well as sweeping of the UK capital, can then be enjoyed from the platform.
Click here to book tickets for Lift 109 (It is cheaper to buy before you go)
DNA VR
DNA VR in Battersea offers visitors over 50 virtual encounters via cutting-edge virtual reality equipment. As well as games and experiences, there’s also escape rooms at the venue.
This VR experience is ideal for anyone, especially tweens and teens, and during inclement weather. Whatever you’ve always wanted to do, the chances are you can try it here – albeit virtually.
The Cinema in the Power Station
Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision combined with comfy reclining seats makes The Cinema in the Power Station a must for movie fans. There are two big screens showing a selection of independent and blockbuster films.
Perhaps best of all is the fact that you can order a range of food and drinks to be delivered directly to your seat here, including snacks, champagne, and cocktails.
Where to Stay in Battersea
Hotels
- £££ – Radisson art’otel London Battersea Power Station | 5* | Restaurants, bar, gym, pool, & spa | By Battersea Power Station
- ££ – Rafayel Hotel & Spa | 5* | Restaurants, bar, gym, & spa | By the Thames
- ££ – Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel & Spa | 4* | Restaurants, bar, gym, pool, & spa | Overlooking Battersea Park
Where to Eat in Battersea
The Magic Garden
This pub on Battersea Park Road offers live music, plus yummy food and delicious cocktails. As per the name, the garden strung with fairy lights has an ethereal feel.
Arcade Food Hall & Bar
Located at Battersea power station, this venue offers 24,000 square feet of global dining options. The main food hall can seat 500, and there’s also bars, restaurants, and private dining rooms. There are 13 different dining options to choose from.
Megan’s at the Power Station
With riverside tables and fairy lights, Megan’s is one of the city’s most romantic restaurants. The Mediterranean menu is served all day, and includes carefully crafted cocktails.
Fiume
Mediterranean fare with an Italian slant is the order of the day at Fiume. There’s plenty of outdoor seating to ensure stunning views while dining on delicious Italian cuisine.
BAO Noodle Shop
This Taiwanese eatery at the power station offers a bar and even karaoke, in addition to a range of lip-smacking noodle bowls.
Tonkotsu
Turn to Japanese at Tonkotsu, an Arches Lane bar and eatery where all the broths, katsu curries, noodles, gyoza, and side dishes are freshly prepared on the premises.
Roti King
Head to Roti King on Arches Lane to enjoy a range of street food based on the cuisines of Malaysia and Singapore.
Tashas
A popular South African eatery offering a range of tasty dishes served in elegant surroundings, plus excellent service.
Brindisa Tapas
Located beside rather than within the power station, Brindisa Tapas serves up a menu of flavoursome, seasonal Spanish small plates. There’s a riverside terrace offering lovely views over the water.
Cinnamon Kitchen
This Indian restaurant on Arches Lane offers slick, contemporary style in an old railway arch, spicy cocktails, modern takes on Indian classics, and outdoor dining by the river.
Clean Kitchen Club
Based at Battersea Power Station since 2023, vegan eatery Clean Kitchen Club is already a big hit. Whether you always eat plant-based food or hanker after something healthy, this could be the eatery for you.
Wright Brothers
For fresh fish and seafood, you cannot beat Wright Brothers in Battersea Power Station’s Circus West Village. There’s plenty of choice for those with a preference for food sourced from the ocean.
Manna
For a substantial burger or some filling fried chicken, head to Manna at the power station. Expect a US-style dining experience, with a side helping of British nostalgia.
Le Bab
Kebabs rather than burgers are Le Bab’s speciality. Head here if you crave free range meat and Middle Eastern flavours.
Where The Pancakes Are
Find Where The Pancakes Are as you enter the power station from the Riverside Entrance. It’s best for savoury and sweet brunch options, and offers egg-free vegan alternatives.
Pear Tree Cafe
This cafe lies within Battersea Park. It offers all day indoor and outdoor dining, plus drinks, in a tranquil lakeside setting.
Where to Shop in Battersea
Battersea Power Station
The must-visit Battersea shopping centre offers clothing and accessories, homeware, cosmetics and toiletries, and a whole lot more.
New Covent Garden Market
Based at Nine Elms, this early market operates from 4am daily, except for Sunday, closing at 10am on weekdays and 9am on Saturdays. Expect fresh produce including fruit, vegetables, and even fish, as well as plants and flowers.
Christmas in Battersea
Battersea Power Station offers all things festive from November to December. Expect Christmas trees, twinkling lights, stylish decorations, carols, activities, pop-up markets, and even a riverside ice rink.
How to Get to Battersea
Underground station
- Battersea Power Station – Northern line
Train stations
- Battersea Park
- Clapham Junction
Battersea FAQs
How do you spend a day in Battersea?
Home to Battersea Park and Battersea Power Station, this part of southwest London offers so much to do indoors and out. There are lots of restaurants catering to all tastes, plus plenty of shops, cultural attractions, and entertainment venues for adults and kids alike. Riverside living is also a major attraction in this area.
Which tube line is Battersea Power Station on?
Open since 2021, Battersea Power Station tube station is on the Northern line. The station in Zone One is among the city’s newest. It’s also the only London Underground stop with “station” in its name, referring to the power station.
Is it worth going to Battersea Power Station?
Battersea Power Station offers enough to keep you busy all day and evening long – and then some! The fully revamped listed building has so much more besides dining and shopping, including a brewery with a taproom, the Lift 109 viewpoint, a cinema, and a VR experience.
What Will You Do in Battersea?
Often overlooked in favour of fashionable Chelsea over the river, Battersea has so much to offer. The power station is a major hub for all things food and drink, retail, and entertainment, and even offers the Lift 109 viewpoint. Battersea Park, meanwhile, is an urban oasis by the river, with plenty to keep kids, adults and even pets busy.
With a brand new tube station, a plethora of places to eat, and several cultural venues, Battersea is a part of London that’s well worth spending a day or more in.
Read next – London Area Guides
- Things to do in Covent Garden & Holborn
- Things to do in Tower Hill and Tower Bridge
- Things to do in Westminster (including Victoria/Charing Cross and Trafalgar Square)
- Things to do in Kensington (including South Kensington)
- Things to do in Greenwich
- Things to do in Mayfair
- Things to do in the City of London
- Things to do in Southwark & Bankside
- Things to do in Leicester Square and Soho
- Things to do in Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia
- Things to Do in Belgravia & Knightsbridge
- Things to do in Notting Hill
- Things to do in East London (Shoreditch & Spitalfields)
- Things to do in Marylebone
- Things to do in Paddington
- Things to do in Chelsea
- Things to do in Piccadilly Circus
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