Battersea Power Station Guided Tours

Battersea Power Station has undergone a radical transformation from the largest power station in Europe in the 1950’s to a a destination hub for shopping, dining & leisure facilities. For those interested in the history, workings & architecture of this iconic building, then worth considering an official guided tour. We popped along recently to join a tour to see what we thought where you can find out more information below.

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN ENJOY A Roof Top Infinity Pool Overlooking Battersea Power Station Without Spending A Fortune.

Battersea Power Station Guided Tours

Battersea Power Station Guided Tour

Tours give you an insight into origins of the power station that once managed the distribution of electricity across London. This Grade II* listed building has a powerful backstory that makes for a compelling tale brought to life by your guide. The added bonus with the tour is that it secures you exclusive access to the beautifully restored Control Room A. Not usually open to the public & limited to private events, this Art Deco masterpiece is a marvel in its own right.

Running most Mondays throughout the year, tickets are released 4 weeks in advance. We were told that tours are limited to Mondays to  guarantee entry to Control Room A as it tends to be booked up the rest of the week. With up to 25 participants per event, the tour size is manageable allowing you to ask questions along the route. Worth noting that you will be walking or standing throughout & tours are limited to English language only.

LOOK OUT FOR Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station – travel through the north-west chimney!

Battersea Power Station Control Room A

Battersea Power Station Guided Tour

Here’s a chance to learn more about the origins & workings of Battersea Power Station with an official guided tour. We started out at the Meeting Point on the ground entrance, near to the Guest Service desk. Once we’d been checked off, we were provided with an identifiable label to ensure tours remained private.

Lasting 75 minutes in duration, we were then taken on a whistle-stop tour around the building. We initially headed outside to take in the enormity of the building where we learnt more about how the power station came to pass. Our next stop was Battersea Power Station A, completed in 1935, where design was influenced by current Art Deco themes. Our guide pointed out examples of the blend of materials & glass symbolising sleek luxury alongside the modernity of the machine age. Contrasting with present day thinking around functionality, (think data centres or distribution centres), this iconic building is quite something of a marvel.

Moving through to Battersea Power Station B, completed in 1955, we noted changes in the architectural design that followed on from the end of World War II. The tour lends itself to expanding your horizons; to see beyond the renovations & back to it’s industrial heritage. As you move around the building, our guide pointed out various artefacts, (an original circuit breaker, 1930’s bathroom tiles), that are hiding in plain sight.

FOLLOW OUR Guide To Battersea Power Station.

Battersea Power Station Control Room A

Battersea Power Station; Control Room A

The tour ends with its pièce de résistance; exclusive access to Control Room A. Usually limited to private events, the guided tour gave us access to this beautifully restored centre piece. Previously the Control Room managed the distribution of electricity across London, (including Buckingham Palace & Houses of Parliament), but now plays a striking backdrop for a range of private events.

We could quickly see why the space lends itself to fashion shows, weddings & private conferences. Within, we found the opulent Art Deco design within their teak parquet floors, marble finishes, gold-coffered ceilings, restored control panels & switchboards. We had time to wander around freely, soaking up the magnificence & splendor of our surroundings whilst taking a few snaps.

To book go to Battersea Power Station Official Guided Tours.

Aqua Class With A Backdrop of Battersea Power Station

Battersea Power Station; An Aqua Class With A View

There are plenty of London hotels boasting of stunning views over the city but they do come with a matching price tag.  We’ve come across an alternative that allows you to access a stunning hotel rooftop pool overlooking Battersea Power station’s iconic chimneys. Although the infinity pool is billed as exclusive space for hotel guests, there is another way to enjoy the space by signing up for an aqua class for just a few £’s. More information available over at Battersea Power Station; An Aqua Class With a View.

Battersea Power Station; Lift 109

Lift 109 gives you the chance to travel up 109 metres to the top of the north-west chimney to take in stunning views of the London skyline. This fully-covered glass elevator literally pops out the top offering you a 360 degree around London. Taking in sights as far away as Alexander Palace, Wimbledon’s Centre Court, Wembley Stadium & Houses of Parliament, it’s a novel way to see London . More information available over at Battersea Power Station Lift 109.