Battersea Power Station, an emblematic structure on London’s skyline, was constructed between 1929 and 1933 to address the increasing need for electricity in the city.
Designed by renowned architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, it served as a vital power source until its closure in 1983. Following years of neglect, the site was acquired in 2012 by current owners, a consortium of Malaysian companies. Big sighs of relief from Londoners who didn’t want to lose the iconic building from the skyline, the area has been developed, preserving its historic charm while repurposing it into a mixed-use development.
Having spent many years gazing at Battersea Power Station from the train on my daily commute (and hoping to spot some dogs at Battersea Cats and Dogs Home), I decide now’s the time to see what’s actually going on close up. One new attraction is Lift 109, an opportunity to get immersed in an exhibition offering a glimpse into Battersea Power Station’s industrial and cultural past, followed by an exciting ascent in a glass elevator 109m to the top of the Power Station’s north west chimney, where spectacular 360-degree views of London’s skyline await. We feel like we’re on the Doctor Who set as we wait for the lift to take up, as history and modern technology work seamlessly together to provide a fun and educational experience. Once we get to the top the views really are fabulous, and there’s an opportunity to take a glass of fizz up with you, so it’s a good way to celebrate a special occasion. Once we’re back on terra firma, it’s time to explore what else is on offer. You really can shop ‘til you drop here, with British and international brands galore, from Aesop through to Zara. Boots even has its flagship beauty store here, so don’t miss that.
Once we’ve exhausted ourselves wandering about the shops, it’s time for a pitstop, and head to outside the main building to an area called Circus West Village by the river. It’s home to a selection of cafes, bars, restaurants and businesses and is now serviced by UBER Boat, by Thames Clippers river bus. Restaurants include; No. 29 Power Station West, a neighbourhood bar and restaurant, Italian restaurant Fiume, seafood specialists Wright Brothers, Vagabond, one of the UK’s first urban wineries, Tonkotsu for Japanese ramen, Cinnamon Kitchen from chef Vivek Singh and The Battersea General Store for delicacies from around the world. We fancy some tapas, so Tapas Brindisa is calling our name. With a terrace for the finer days, we slide into a booth and relax with a chilled glass of Cava. Tapas Brindisa is a family-run Spanish bar and restaurant known for its selection of authentic charcuterie, cheese and other Spanish delicacies, and its opening at Battersea Power Station coincides with 30 years since founder Monika Linton first brought Spanish produce to the UK, and has never looked back. We tuck into some classics, Tortilla Espanola and Croquetas de Jamon, as familiar ground is always comforting, and these don’t let us down. Remolacha Asada, a salad with heritage beets, orange blossom honey and Picos blue cheese is a revelation, mostly because I’ve spent my entire life thinking that I don’t like blue cheese. Turns out I do, but only at Tapas Brindisa! Pollo Con Mojo Rojo is not only lovely to say, but lovely to eat too; succulent free-range chicken thighs served with the aforementioned mojo rojo and a hazelnut picada. Probably our prettiest dish, not that it remains on the plate for very long, is the Flor de Calabacin Rellena, a courgette flower stuffed with Monte Enebro goat’s cheese and orange blossom honey. Sweet and tangy in equal measures, one of our five a day is despatched very quickly. We are about to stumble out, full to the brim, when we are gently persuaded that we can’t leave without trying a local dessert favourite – Milhojas – puff pastry stuffed with tiger nut custard cream and peach. In full transparency, I have to Google what a tiger nut is (not a nut after all, but a dried tuber, much like a seed, grown in Spain and Africa apparently), and I’m glad I give this a try, as it’s sweet and airy without being over-facing.
As we walk out into the evening, there is a gentle hub of activity around us and while it’s tempting to head back in to another bar for a nightcap, we decide to save that for another visit very soon.
