Battersea power station

 I remember seeing Battersea power station as a child and being impressed by its size and the four tall chimneys. It was such a prominent landmark in the days when there weren't many tall buildings in the area. 

In 2016 I did a blog on the power station, as the Malaysian company Sime Darby had bought it in 2012. This led to a lot of controversy as Sime Darby is heavily involved with plantations and loss of habitat for orang utans. As part of the development, the four chimneys had to be restored so they would be identical to the originals. My Apr 2016 blog on the chimneys. 

In Sept 2021 the Northern line underground was extended and Battersea Power Station was opened.

In May 2022 I went for a walk around the area, but the power station wasn't yet open. It opened to the public on 14 Oct 2022. It is now a large retail and leisure centre, although a lot of places aren't yet open. The highlight is Lift 109 chimney lift.

I went along for a look on 1 January 2023.

Firstly I went to Turbine Hall B. 

The old control room is now a coffee house -

Looking up

I then went to Turbine Hall A. 

Old fashioned sinks in the toilet

Part of the original wall -

Entrance to Lift 109. This is a circular glass lift up the northwest chimney and is 109 m at the top. I intend to do this on another day.

Opposite the lift is Gordon Ramsey's Bread Street and below is Royal Selangor Pewter.

The north entrance, with a winter glide rink by the river -

I walked back through the hall then headed for lunch.

Some of the apartments

I was headed for the Arches. There are a series of restaurants and bars. Gordon Ramsey's Street Pizza

I planned to go to Roti King and have done a separate blog on this.

View of the power station. The first photo was taken in May 2022 and the second photo on this current trip. Spot the difference! In the second photo you can see the observation deck at the top of the northwest chimney -