The Power of the Thames – Battersea to Westminster
Battersea Power Station Tube Stop – just outside the exit
Guided by Charlie
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 September 2023 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer |
Battersea Power Station – once called the temple of power – is now open.
Stand in the middle of one of the world’s largest brick buildings and feel the energy it once delivered to power a fifth of London. Marvel at the transformation within and the new riverside without. Then take this walk downstream along the Thames enjoying the ebb and flow of its history – going back more than three thousand years to the river’s very first crossing point, and forward to the overnight arrival of Vauxhall’s high-rise city, with a space-age American embassy tucked in behind it.
Follow the tide out further to the point where the Horseferry once crossed, and beyond that to another seat of riverside power – the Palace of Westminster. Two powers – electrical and political – needed the same thing to succeed. The river. Join this celebration of what such a small stretch of the Thames has brought to London
PRACTICALS
The meeting point for this walk is just outside the exit of Battersea Power Station Tube Station
Pete Cooper –
Power, electrical, financial and political, was a running theme of Charlie and Emmanuel’s excellent itinerary along the river from Battersea to Westminster. Manifestations of power are not all pretty – memories of Millbank Prison on the site of Tate Britain, most Nine Elms speculator developments today – but in the Autumn sunshine a most enjoyable walk.
Alexandra Carmichael –
A very interesting and entertaining walk, Charlie and Emmanual are very knowledgeable and engaging guides.
Christine Slater –
Thoroughly enjoyable walk even on such a cold day. The guides did very well with the number of attendees. Altogether a very interesting day.
Melanie Goodwin –
Such a fascinating walk with Charlie and Emmanuel on Saturday afternoon. A cold grey day but we all very happily listened and learnt from their wonderful commentary for 2 1/2 hours (this is slightly longer than most London walks at about 2 miles but worth every step and great value). Educational and entertaining, such great guides, you will not be disappointed but do pre-book as they may start to limit numbers it is so popular!
Dorothy MacDonald –
An excellent walk covering so many interesting aspects of life along the Thames, past and present.
Katie Smith –
We had a brilliant tour with Charlie and Emmanuel, really enjoyed how this tour touched on a variety of themes from architecture and engineering to spies and espionage on this walk. Would highly recommend it!
Frances Carter –
A fascinating walk this morning led by Charlie and Emanuel , full of information about history as far back as the Bronze Age as well as the Power Station and other recent and current developments . Highly recommended
Daryl Lax –
A super double act by Charlie and Emmanuel! Two guides and an extra half-hour – this was value for money! Many thanks to you both for carefully constructing such an interesting and informative walk. Your enthusiasm made it a real pleasure to listen to you and to learn from you.
Patricia Pledger –
You can always guarantee a full programme as well as insightful and fascinating historic details and the latest information from Charlie Forman and this walk – together with a colleague Emmanuel – was no exception. From Battersea Power Station to Westminster the
whole 2 1/2 hours was full of fact and stories from the past and seeing the inside of BPS was
amazing. A must-do……. Thanks to both for a super morning on 26/11.
Simon Fairclough –
A fantastic and super-informative walk down the Thames from Battersea Power Station. Thank you Charlie and Emmanuel! I’m only sorry that I had to leave early as my dog was misbehaving!
June Stewart –
An amazing walk from Battersea Power Station to Westminster, Houses of Parliament. Charlie and Emmanual took us on a super walk starting from the interior of the power station along the Thames path towards Westminster pointing out so much history and information for 2 hours. Highly recommended.