Battersea: The Ultimate Guide
Take about Battersea, and most people think of the impressively looming Battersea Power Station (and its feature on the iconic Pink Floyd Animals album cover), and beautiful Battersea Park. These are both stunning attractions, especially with the new Power Station development hosting an array of food, drink and entertainment alongside luxury apartments – but what’s Battersea like on the day-to-day?
Let’s start with a bit of geography.
Battersea is in the SW8 and SW11 postcodes, and is located a stone’s throw from Chelsea, across the Chelsea or Albert bridges. It’s just north of Clapham, and close enough to Brixton, Fulham and Wandsworth for a bit of variety.
As it’s in the borough of Wandsworth, residents of Battersea are treated to the second lowest council tax in the country – a bit more money in your pocket to enjoy all the area has to offer!
In terms of transport, Battersea is primarily served by rail services from South Western Railway and Southern. Commuters rely on trains from Battersea Park and Queenstown Road, or nearby Clapham Junction. These stations are all in Zone 2, and trains from Queenstown Road get into Vauxhall in less than five minutes, or get to Victoria from Battersea Park in less than fifteen minutes.
The Northern line extension, due to be completed in autumn 2021, will extend the line from Kennington to Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station for extra convenience.
As with anywhere in central London, the area is also served by a range of bus routes, many of which run overnight too.
What is Battersea like?
Battersea feels like a comfortable place to live, with plenty going on already and so much more yet to come. You couldn’t be better located to enjoy the culture of Kensington and Chelsea without the prices of living directly in the area, and you can find amazing restaurants, bars, activities and green spaces without leaving Battersea. With the Power Station development now opening, it’s evident there’s some real money being spent: not only on renovating the Power Station and building new apartments, but on a brand new Pier (and a Thames Clipper service!) plus a variety of food and drink outlets, fitness suites, and a boutique cinema in the Circus West Village.
Battersea has a very average crime rate for London, in terms of total number of crimes reported. Therefore, it isn’t an unsafe place to live: as with anywhere in a big city, it’s just important to exercise caution and be streetwise.
According to the 2011 census, the average age of Battersea residents is 38, and 52.2% are of White British origin.
