The Power of the Thames – Battersea to Westminster
Battersea Power Station Tube Stop – just outside the exit
Guided by Charlie
Adult: £20 · Students & Seniors: £15 · Children: £5
Walk Times
| Day | Walk Type | Start Time | End Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 February 2025 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Winter | |
| 14 June 2025 | Tour du Jour | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | |
| 18 October 2025 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | Reserve Online |
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
MEET YOUR GUIDE
Brad Feuer –
I loved Charlie’s walk! Such a fascinating contrast between the modernity of Battersea and Nine Elms and the majesty and history of Westminster. And of course power – of all types. Starting with Battersea Power Station. The building itself is very impressive – similar of course to the Tate Modern (built around the same time for the same purpose) but even with its chain shops and modern familiarity of a shopping centre, you can really feel the energy that was generated here. Charlie is a fascinating historian and a super nice guy. The stop at the new American embassy is very informative and Charlie does a great job in explaining its complexities. As an American who is no fan of the move to the new embassy (or the current government – enough said) as a standalone building divorced from context, it is an important and fascinating building. The walk along the Thames, the MI-6 building, the approach to Westminster and more, were all wrapped up in fine and fun detail by Charlie. This walk lasts more than two hours and it is worth every bit of it.
Lea Stone –
Really enjoyed the walk with Charlie, who overran a bit but we didn’t mind, because there is just so much of interest – a really well-paced walk with plenty of stops covering the history of the Thames as a powerhouse, plus modern architecture too. As usual I learnt a huge amount! Highly recommended.
Irene Gawne –
This was a wonderful private morning walk for a group of 35 of us. Charles and Emmanuel kept us enthralled for over 2.5 hours with their interesting and insightful stories, bringing to life the past and the present of this part of the Thames and the historic buildings clustered around it. Like the river the neighbourhood is ever changing and evolving – often controversially.
A highly recommended guided walk
Les Hearn –
Very enjoyable and informative walk. Charlie and Emmanuel are thoroughly entertaining and knowledgeable guides. My accompanying friend from Finland was fascinated and wants to do another walk when she next visits.
Amanda –
Excellent walk – Charlie & Emanuel are very well-informed, entertaining, and friendly. Highly recommend.
Sophie Stutter –
Excellent walk. Informative and entertaining – Charlie and Emanuel are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Plan to accommodate overrunning – there’s just too much information for them to cram in the allotted time.
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!