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 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 August 2024 | Special | 2.30 pm | 4.30 pm | Summer | |
| 26 October 2024 | 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
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!
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!