Power station, commons and the river
Battersea Power Station, with its four white chimneys, reopened in 2022 after decades of redevelopment as a shopping, dining and office destination. Nearby, Battersea Park has a peace pagoda, boating lake and children's zoo, and Nine Elms is home to the US Embassy.
Upstream, Putney is where the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race begins each spring. Wandsworth, Clapham and Tooting commons give the borough plenty of open space, and Tooting Bec Lido is one of the largest open-air swimming pools in England. Balham, Earlsfield and Tooting have busy high streets and markets.
Places worth knowing
- Battersea Power Station – shops, restaurants and the chimney lift.
- Battersea Park – lakeside walks, pagoda and children's zoo.
- Putney riverside – rowing clubs and the Boat Race start.
- Tooting Market and Tooting Bec Lido – food and outdoor swimming.
Getting in and out
Clapham Junction has frequent South Western, Southern and Overground trains, including services towards Gatwick. The Northern line serves Battersea Power Station, Clapham, Balham and Tooting, and the District line ends at Wimbledon via East Putney. The A3, A205 South Circular and A24 are the main roads.
Airport transfers from Wandsworth
Heathrow is usually reached via the A3 and A316 or across the river to the A4. Gatwick is reached via the A24 or A3 and M25. London City is a longer cross-London journey along the Embankment or via the Rotherhithe Tunnel.
See our Heathrow Airport transfers and Gatwick Airport transfers pages.
Pickup tips for this borough
Battersea Power Station has its own private roads and set drop-off points, so tell us the building or entrance. Around Clapham Junction, the one-way system and bus lanes make a precise pickup point important.
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is best for Battersea?
Heathrow and Gatwick are both practical. The quickest depends on the time of day and exact address.
Can you collect from Battersea Power Station?
Yes. Tell us the entrance and we will confirm the drop-off and pickup point.
Where does the Boat Race start?
It starts at Putney Bridge and finishes at Chiswick Bridge in Mortlake.