Five Reasons to Live in Battersea
Battersea is a vibrant and popular area in south west London, perfectly situated within the capital and offering a unique blend of charm and amenities. To help give you an idea of what makes this such a fantastic area to call home, discover why you should consider living in Battersea.
1. Riverside Charm
Living near the Thames is a uniquely gratifying experience, giving you easy access to leisurely riverside walks and beautiful views across the water. Battersea occupies a stretch of the river just south of Westminster and across from Chelsea, providing stunning views of the city and some of its most famous landmarks. This part of the river also has some perfectly picturesque bridges, including the Grade II listed Albert Bridge built in 1873.
The most famous riverside landmark is, of course, Battersea Power Station, now reborn into an entirely new neighbourhood of shops and businesses, and near to Prince of Wales Drive - the perfect location if you’re looking for apartments in Battersea. Offering a beautiful collection of homes, landscaped gardens, private residents’ facilities and more.
Walking along the riverside at Battersea makes you feel like you’ve left the bustle of London behind you, yet it’s always within easy reach. You can head over the river into Chelsea with its fantastic shopping and galleries or head to Mayfair for an elegant afternoon tea before catching a show in the West End.
2. Perfect for Families
London might not spring to mind when thinking of places to live for families, but Battersea is ideal for so many reasons. A top priority will naturally be to find excellent local schools, and Battersea has those in abundance. There are many highly-rated primary and secondary schools in the area, including Chesterton Primary School and Harris Academy Battersea, as well as many excellent nurseries and childcare facilities.
As well as its excellent education options, it's hard to imagine a more magical place for children to grow up with so many incredible attractions nearby. From Battersea Park and the historic sites of Westminster to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, there are so many options for family days out in and around London.
There’s also the world-famous Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, offering lots of pet-friendly events and ways you can support their rehoming efforts, plus lots of adorable cats and dogs looking for a new, loving home. Known as one of London’s most family-friendly areas, Battersea has a strong sense of community and plenty of amenities for both children and adults to enjoy.
3. Battersea Park
Battersea Park is one of London’s most beloved green spaces and was one of the city’s very first public parks on its opening in 1858. Its 200 acres run along the south bank of the Thames and offers something for everyone to enjoy. It's ideal for a peaceful stroll along the tree-lined pathways that wind around the boating lake, or for a morning run along the riverside. For children, there’s the Battersea Park Children’s Zoo, featuring everything from otters and monkeys to snakes and emus, along with lots of information on conservation of the natural world.
Sporting enthusiasts can make use of the many facilities including cricket pitches, tennis courts, football, rugby, and hockey, as well as opportunities for fishing and rowing on the boating lake. It’s also fantastic for cycling, offering a safe traffic-free environment.
The park is truly one of Battersea’s most appealing features, providing an exceptional place to have fun, relax, and exercise right on your doorstep. As well as its excellent park, Battersea has many other open green spaces and parks nearby such as Clapham Common and Wandsworth Common, offering even more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
4. Culture and Entertainment
Battersea offers a vibrant and diverse culture along with exceptional arts and entertainment options. The iconic Battersea Arts Centre hosts a full range of performances and exhibitions, including theatre, comedy, and live music. There’s also the Turbine Theatre over in the newly renovated Battersea Power Station, showcasing local talent as well as international productions.
A core part of Battersea’s cultural fabric is its various street markets, including the Northcote Road Market, known for its excellent food stalls along with vintage clothing, jewellery, and antiques. There’s also the Battersea Boot and Antiques Market, a treasure trove for collectors of antiques and unique vintage items. Just across the river in Chelsea, the Royal Hospital hosts the Chelsea Flower Show each year, an incredible event that showcases the very best in horticulture and garden design and provides a wonderful day out right on your doorstep.
5. Excellent Transport Links
We’ve already mentioned how ideally situated Battersea is, and part of this is due to its excellent transport links to the rest of London and beyond.
One of the most recent advances in transport links is the newly completed Northern Line extension at Battersea Power Station, providing easy access to the City, the West End, and north London. For rail services, there’s Battersea Park Station linking straight to London Victoria, from where you can catch a handy express rail service to Gatwick Airport. Heathrow Airport is also just under an hour away by car, rail and Underground.
Being so close to the river also provides another option - river buses can take you from Battersea to central London in as little as 15 minutes, making it a useful option for commuting as well as for pleasure.
If you’re interested in making Battersea your home, we have stunning contemporary apartments available at Prince of Wales Drive, or if you’re interested in other new homes in London, take a look at our full collection of London developments available now.