Let's draw Battersea Power Station - Saturday 18 February 2023

Sketch by Andrea Deng

For our second sketchwalk of 2023 we will be drawing the recently opened Battersea Power Station SW11 8AL, one of the newest and most vibrant neighbourhoods of London.

[Led by Andrea Deng and Jimmy Lu]

The Battersea Power Station, dominated by its four iconic chimneys and deeply rooted in popular culture, is now open to the public as a new shopping and leisure destination with pedestrian-centred public spaces, parkland and gardens.

This decommissioned Grade II* listed coal-fired power station is one of the world’s largest brick buildings and a prime example of Industrial Art Deco. The recent redevelopment of the area includes the addition of several residential buildings and public spaces designed by internationally renowned architects, with new public riverside access along the Thames.  If you'd like to know more about this exciting new development, here’s more about the master plan.

There is no cost, just wrap up warm and bring your sketching kit.

Our meeting point for the day is the North Entrance,
which faces the River Thames.

Meeting point

Our meeting point for the day is the North Entrance, which faces the River Thames (see photo above). If the weather is fair, we will meet in the square outside the North Entrance. If it's rainy, we will meet inside the North Entrance.

Options for drawing

Indoors

Battersea Power Station

All of the ground floor and Level 1 are open to the public, so you have plenty of choices to draw inside. 

• Turbine Hall A is Art Deco in style, reflecting the 1930s when construction of the Power Station began.

• Turbine Hall B is Brutalist in design, a nod to the 1950s when the building was completed. On the ground floor of Turbine Hall B is Battersea Bookshop, an independent neighbourhood bookshop that specialises in art, architecture and design, and showcases ‘some of the unique architectural elements of the iconic Battersea Power Station’.

• Lift 109, 'London's epic new viewing experience', is a glass platform lift that rises more than 100 metres to the top of the northwest chimney for spectacular 360 degree views. You will need to book in advance to secure a ticket.

Outdoors

• Electric Boulevard - A new pedestrianised high street that links the Power Station to the new Battersea Power Station Tube station.

• The Coaling Jetty - A 110m long Grade II listed jetty with a great view over the Thames and the Power Station. The Coaling Jetty has been redesigned as a riverside garden, opening up a new public space along the River Thames.

• Phase 3 residential units with iconic twisted shapes designed by Frank Ghery, and the serpentine ribbon designed by Foster+Partners.

• Battersea Park and the Peace Pagoda - Battersea Park is a 200 acre Victorian park with a boating lake, tea gardens, a children's zoo and other attractions. The London Peace Pagoda is one of 80 around the world built by Buddhist nuns and monks as a spiritual focus for reflections on world peace and non violence. There is a panoramic view of Chelsea Embankment from the pagoda.

Sketch by Andrea Deng

Key times and meeting points

11 AM

Meet in the square in front of the Battersea Power Station North Entrance, towards the River Thames (see photo above). In case of inclement weather, we will meet inside the North Entrance.

1 PM

Meet in the square in front of the Battersea Power Station North Entrance (facing the river) to show sketchbooks and take our lunchtime group photo. In case of inclement weather, we will meet inside the North Entrance.

3.30 PM

Meet back at the same spot to look at the day’s work and take the afternoon group photo. In case of inclement weather, we will meet inside the North Entrance.

Afterwards

If you would like to linger for a while to chat (and sketch!), we will then move to the nearby Battersea Brewery.

Practical information

Battersea Power Station is located in Circus Road West, Nine Elms, London SW11 8AL. 

The main entrance is in Circus Road North, with another entrance in Circus Road South.

Entrance to the Power Station is free of charge, although some of the areas on the upper levels are still under development. There are cafés, toilets and plenty of places where you can eat.

The nearest Tube station is Battersea Power Station (Northern Line). Battersea Park (Overground and Southern) and Queenstown Road (South Western) are also within a 10-15 minute walking distance.

Another option is to arrive by boat, via the Thames Clippers service at Battersea Power Station Pier. The Power Station is a 15-minute journey from Embankment, 20 minutes from Blackfriars, 30 minutes from Putney, and 40 minutes from Canary Wharf.

For additional practical information please consult the Battersea Power Station website.

Covid guidance

Urban Sketchers London remains alert to national guidance about COVID-19 and its variants. Even though restrictions have been lifted, it's sensible to take all necessary precautions to keep ourselves and fellow sketchers safe throughout the event. The risk of infection for outdoor events is low, but basic guidance still applies:

• Please do not attend if you feel unwell
• Wear a face covering when you're close to others
• Give people space
• Practice good hand hygiene.

Remember to tag us when you post your sketches on social media!

#urbansketcherslondon #usklondon

Location map

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See you at Battersea Power Station!

 

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Let's draw Battersea Power Station - Saturday 18 February 2023