London Area Guide: Battersea
Battersea has been in the property news a lot recently, thanks to the major renovation of the iconic Battersea Power Station. Now, this historically industrial area has become a really popular place to live. So, what is it actually like living in Battersea? Well in this articleyou’ll get a great sense of the area and the different types of homes.
History of Battersea
We can’t talk about Battersea without diving into its history. Battersea is, in fact, one of the oldest recorded named places in the London area. Located south of the river, it is in southwest London in the Wandsworth borough.
It has an industrial history dating back to the 1740s, with the marshland beside the Thames offering a home to factories. From manufacturing to brew houses, and even Price’s Candle Factory, which was recently converted into flats, the area was filled with artisans & workers.
By 1858, Chelsea Bridge and Battersea Park, as well as Clapham Junction station and original Nine Elms stations were opened. This caused developers to create reasonably priced, yet classically stately homes for the middle classes in the area.
Fast forward to present day, and the area has seen blocks of municipal flats have replaced most of Battersea’s Victorian homes. The area has also seen much of the waterfront built up sky high luxury apartment complexes, providing modern living with riverside views.
Guide to Battersea
If you love the sound of modern apartment living, in an historical district of London, then Battersea could be the perfect place.
Transport
Battersea has several local stations offering overground and underground options. For overground options, there are Battersea Park, Queenstown Road, Battersea, Victoria or Clapham Junction.
Underground stations nearby include the recently opened Battersea Power Station along with Wandsworth Road, Pimlico, Vauxhall and Stockwell. In addition to the Battersea Power Station tube station which opened in 2021, so did a new modern Nine Elms Station, both on the Northern Line, which links to the West End, City and North London.
Green Space
Battersea Park is a huge, 200-acre green space which received an £11 million renovation in 2004.
The park is a great spot for locals and tourists alike and provides solace from the city. Unlike the tourist trap of Hyde Park, Battersea Park is less well-known but offers unrivalled beauty.
The park hosts a small children’s zoo, boating lake, bandstand, all-weather sports facilities including a running track, football pitches, and tennis courts to enjoy. If you need some serenity on your walk, there is also the beautiful London Peace Pagoda that was erected in 1985.
There is even a beautiful four-storey Grade II listed Victorian tower, which is home to the Pump House Gallery in the centre of the park to get your art fix after a long stroll in the greenery.
Dining in Battersea
Battersea, thanks to its popularity, is home to a lot of excellent restaurants and bars. One of its most popular streets, Northcote Road offers delicious Italian food at Numero Uno, and deli favourites & a coffee at Uncommon SW11. There is also the Bolingbroke gastro pub for high-quality British food in a quaint setting. For a hot day, you can get your sweet tooth fix at Oddono’s Gelati for a scrumptious ice cream in a waffle cone.
Gordon Ramsay has even brought his intimate London House Restaurant to the area. Located on Battersea Square, this beautiful yet relaxed restaurant offers European cuisine at reasonable prices.
You can take a stroll to Battersea Park Road and visit the renowned bakery, Flour to the People. Opened in 1960, by the current brother and sister owners, it has quite a history. Originally a fish & chip shop called “Chris’s Fish Bar”, the site became a greasy spoon in the 1990s and was then rented out. Luckily, the brother and sister duo decided to take the space back in 2015 and create this incredible restaurant. From sourdough pizzas to delicious homemade bread, you are in for a treat when you visit.
Staying on Battersea Park Road, you will find a decadent, art-deco-inspired experience. Lost Society offers brunch, dinner and cocktails in a beautiful location. Rich interiors and divine-looking food mean it’s a great spot for getting together with friends!
For an unassuming, yet unforgettable French experience, my final recommendation in Battersea is Augustine Kitchen on Battersea Bridge road. Head chef and owner, Franck Raymond who earned two Michelin stars as head chef at Le Marignac & also worked for Marco Pierre White at the Oar Room before he launched Augustine Kitchen. This candle-lit bistro specialises in small plates and mains from the Evian region of the French Alps. It is in a small, 45-covers space, but really packs a punch for lovers of French food.
This foodies paradise has a great range of dining options that goes on and on – you can experience fantastic cuisine from around the world all within walking distance.
Shopping in Battersea
As you can expect, with such a diverse range of food and dining options, the shopping in Battersea is no different.
Northcote Road provides an excellent shopping experience for young families. With stylish clothing stores Newbie, JoJo Maman Bébé & Trotters to choose from. There are also home interior shops to help with any upgrades like The Painthouse, perfect for accessories, furniture, upholstery and wallpaper. There’s also Farrow & Ball for high-end wallpaper and paint, or Maison Curate for all things home, little gifts & even botanicals.
For your everyday essentials and classic high street stores, head to St John’s Road. There’s an M&S, currently being converted into a Food Hall; department store Arding and Hobbs, part of Debenhams; Waitrose; Argos; Boots and TK Maxx.
Schools in Battersea
Battersea is incredibly popular with families, and that is partly due to the excellent schools in the area. For the young family, there are in fact 12 primary schools to choose from, including state and independent options.
For older children, there are also 8 independent secondary schools, as well as two state secondaries.
The area also offers 9 different private schools for a variety of ages.
Property types in Battersea
Depending on your property style, and your budget, there’s a lot of diversity in terms of options for a home in Battersea. The area offers soaring modern development along with quaint as well as stately Victorian and Edwardian homes. There are also Victorian Villas, mansion blocks, and high-rise waterside developments.
House Dynamics in Battersea
Properties in Battersea had an overall average price of £891,158 over the last year.
Flats sold for an average price of £661,434. Terraced properties sold for an average of £1,281,141, with semi-detached properties fetching £1,802,839.
Overall, sold prices in Battersea over the last year were 2% up on the previous year and 7% down on the 2017 peak of £954,667, according to Rightmove.
Properties for sale in Battersea
3 bed, 3 bath apartment, Prospect Way, Battersea Power Station – £2,385,000
I couldn’t showcase properties in Battersea without first starting with the incredible homes in the redeveloped Battersea Power Station. These luxury apartments include space in the completely new built portion as well as those in the original power station.
This is a gorgeous 3 bed, 3 bath apartment on the 8th Floor on the market at £2,385,000.
Prospect Place 1 building offers residents luxury living with all of the modern amenities. Each home offers a private garden, and their own winter garden or terrace as well. Outside space has been so popular since the pandemic, so modern apartments that offer this extra space will definitely command a premium.
The building also provides 24 hour concierge, a residents’ lounge, bar, business centre, fully equipped gym, swimming pool, spa, games room, private cinema and much more.
With three bedrooms, and three bathrooms, this apartment could be perfect for a growing family.
6 bed, 4.5 bath terraced home, Bramfield Road, SW11 – £2,500,000
If you would prefer to live in a home, rather than in an apartment, then this incredible 6 bed, 4.5 bath terraced Victorian home could be perfect for you. Located between Clapham and Wandsworth Common it is a spectacular home.
The interiors have been finished to a very high standard while respecting the classic period features such as chandeliers and fireplaces. The home also has modern additions such as cinema room, home office and a gym. There’s also a small garden for the children to play in, and it’s just 10 minutes walk away from Clapham Junction for commuting to the City.
3 bed, 2.5 bath apartment, Lombard Road – £1,750,000
If you are looking for modern luxury, with riverside views, you can find this split level 3 bed, 2.5 bath apartment on Lombard Road.
With spectacular views of the river through floor to ceiling windows, and roof terrace, the property is located on the 8th and 9th floors of a modern apartment building. This home is finished to a very high standard, with marble floors, open plan living, and bright airy interiors.
The flat benefits from 24-hour concierge, secure underground parking, and four communal roof terraces, with the 18th floor terrace offering 360-degree views over London. You also have direct access to the Thames Clipper boat service, and you’re just 0.9 miles away from Clapham Junction Station.
1 bed,1 bath duplex in a converted school, Amies Street – £709,950 (guide price)
And finally, this 1 bed 1 bath loft duplex is perfect for a professional couple seeking a quirky space in Battersea. With sky high ceilings, the apartment is located in a converted school.
This is a really large one bedroom at 900 sq.ft., but feels even bigger thanks to the triple-height ceilings. Parquet floors, mezzanine bedroom, and exposed beams add to the quirky character of this home.
