A Local’s Guide to Battersea & Nine Elms, London

Nine Elms is one of London’s fastest-changing neighbourhoods—a stretch of the south bank transformed from industrial docks into a modern riverside district, anchored by Battersea Power Station. Contemporary architecture, restaurants, cultural attractions and the open spaces of Battersea Park are all nearby. Here’s how to make the most of the area.

Getting Your Bearings

Nine Elms sits on the south bank of the Thames, between Battersea and Vauxhall. The district combines modern riverside towers with the established streets and Victorian green spaces of Battersea, creating an unusual mixture of contemporary architecture, riverside walks and parkland.

Explore Battersea & Nine Elms

Begin at Battersea Power Station, where the restored turbine halls now contain shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. Continue along the Thames Path towards Nine Elms and Embassy Gardens, passing modern riverside developments and landscaped public spaces.

In the opposite direction, follow the river towards Battersea Park for gardens, riverside paths, the boating lake and the Peace Pagoda. Vauxhall and Chelsea are also readily accessible, making this a useful base for exploring both sides of the Thames.

Eat and Drink Nearby

• Circus West Village, at the heart of Battersea Power Station, offers a wide selection of restaurants and bars. Options include Brindisa for Spanish tapas, Dishoom for Bombay-style Indian food, Grind for coffee and brunch, and Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza for a casual meal.
• Brunswick House, a Georgian townhouse containing an antiques business and restaurant, provides an atmospheric setting for dining among architectural curiosities and chandeliers.
• Battersea Barge, a floating pub and music venue moored on the Thames, is an unusual place for a drink, live entertainment and river views.

Culture and Sights

• Lift 109 travels through one of Battersea Power Station’s original chimneys to a viewing platform 109 metres above ground, with panoramic views across London.
• The Sky Pool at Embassy Gardens, suspended between two residential towers, is an impressive architectural feature to see from the surrounding public areas, although access to the pool itself is restricted.
• Battersea Park provides approximately 200 acres of riverside parkland, gardens, sports facilities and a boating lake. It is ideal for walking, running or a picnic beside the Thames.
• New Covent Garden Market, London’s principal wholesale fruit, vegetable and flower market, is an important part of the area’s commercial history and continuing regeneration.
• The United States Embassy, a distinctive cube-shaped building beside the Thames, has become one of the architectural landmarks of Nine Elms.

Getting Around

Battersea Power Station station, on the Northern line extension, provides direct services to central London. Leicester Square and the West End can be reached without changing trains. Queenstown Road, Battersea Park and Vauxhall stations provide additional National Rail and Underground connections.

From the airports and Eurostar:

• Heathrow: take the Elizabeth line to Tottenham Court Road, then the Northern line to Battersea Power Station.
• Gatwick: take the Gatwick Express to Victoria, then the Victoria line to Vauxhall, followed by a short taxi, bus journey or walk towards Nine Elms and Battersea.
• Stansted: take the Stansted Express to Tottenham Hale, then the Victoria line to Vauxhall, followed by a short taxi, bus journey or walk.
• Luton: take a Thameslink service to Farringdon, then the Elizabeth line to Tottenham Court Road and the Northern line to Battersea Power Station.
• London City Airport: take the DLR to Bank, then the Northern line directly to Battersea Power Station.
• Eurostar: from St Pancras International, take the Northern line from King’s Cross St Pancras directly to Battersea Power Station.

Good to Know

If you’re planning a stay in Battersea or Nine Elms, our own penthouse apartment sits directly opposite Battersea Park. It offers air conditioning, a winter-garden terrace and balcony views across the skyline, making it an excellent base for exploring everything in this guide.