Today we head off to see Battersea Power Station. Work and meetings behind me, we now have a couple of days to explore London together. I take Mardi to what for many a Pink Floyd fan is a spiritual journey.
Battersea Power Station is an iconic London landmark on the south bank of the River Thames. It has a rich history dating back to its construction in the 1930s. Designed by architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the structure became one of the largest brick buildings in the world and an exemplar of Art Deco architecture. Initially commissioned by the London Power Company, the power station was constructed in two phases, with Battersea A completed in 1933 and Battersea B in 1955. The station’s four distinctive chimneys became a recognisable feature of the London skyline. It played a crucial role in powering London during the mid-20th century before ceasing operations in 1983 due to rising operational costs and environmental concerns.
Today, Battersea Power Station has undergone a remarkable transformation from an industrial relic to a vibrant mixed-use development. Following extensive redevelopment efforts that began in the 2010s, the site now hosts a blend of residential, commercial, and leisure spaces. The iconic structure has been meticulously restored, preserving its historical significance while adapting it for modern use. The redevelopment includes luxury apartments, office spaces, shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, attracting both locals and tourists.
Aside from the architectural features, an area of interest for both Mardi and I, keen observers will also see why I am so interested.
For those unaware…Battersea Power Station holds a special place in the annals of rock music history, thanks to its association with the legendary British band Pink Floyd. This relationship was immortalised through the cover of their 1977 album “Animals.” The album’s cover art, conceived by the band and designed by artist Storm Thorgerson, features an inflatable pink pig floating between the station’s chimneys. The image captures the stark industrial landscape, juxtaposed with the surreal sight of the pig, symbolising themes of capitalism and societal decay explored in the album. This iconic cover not only cemented the power station’s place in popular culture but also highlighted Pink Floyd’s penchant for grand, thought-provoking visuals.
The album cover shoot itself became a part of music lore, as the 40-foot inflatable pig, named “Algie,” famously broke free from its moorings and drifted into the flight path of Heathrow Airport, causing flights to be delayed. This incident only added to the mystique of the power station and its association with Pink Floyd. Over the years, the image of Battersea Power Station with the floating pig has remained one of the most recognisable and enduring symbols in rock music. This connection has helped preserve the power station in public memory, intertwining its industrial heritage with the cultural impact of one of the most influential bands of the 20th century.
I am in awe as we approach from the North side of the Thames. We cross Chelsea Bridge as we walk towards the power station, which is also near Brixton, which also gets a mention in Pink Floyd’s the wall, specifically Brixton Town Hall and Brixton Bus Station.
The closer we get the more imposing the massive chimneys get, towering over us, seemingly ready to start pouring putrid acrid black smoke at an y minute. We stop for lunch, Fiume, an Italian restaurant in the shadows of the power station. This is our setting for the next couple of hours.
We enjoy a delightful lunch, the food is excellent, but the service is a little lacklustre. We enjoy a salad, bread, baked gnocci and a seafood pasta. All very nice, but still a little bland. We chat over lunch about how much we are enjoying London and that there is so much to see and do and we really only have four days to do it. We will be back I think! We watch and listen to the crowd as they go about their business. A couple dining near us are not happy with something as the woman complains to staff, she is getting quite annoyed at something as more staff surround the table: a little dog sits eagerly waiting for some food to drop, he peers at me hoping for a little something. Kids run around chasing pigeons and sea gulls as they continue their never ending search for food scraps. And the odd Pink Floyd fan marvels at the power station.
After lunch, I decide to circumnavigate the power station, Mardi sits in the cool and reads. I listen to Pink Floyd’s Animals as I walk around the massive structure. Despite the tone of the music, the walk is quite peaceful, serene and contemplative for me. I have been inspired, consoled, uplifted and brought to tears by Pink Floyd and to walk around something as iconic as this is something I will cherish. I take photos from a variety of angles, as well as use the Insta360 to capture some cool 360 degree views of the area. As I’m wrapping up a security guard walks over to me and asks me what am I doing. I say I’m recording a video and taking some photos, expecting him to tell me to move along. Instead, he asks me about the Insta360. So I tell him. He is captivated by what it can do: the quality of the video, the 360 degree nature, the ease of editing and other features. He bids me farewell and I head back to where Mardi is sitting and we cross back over to the north side of the Thames and walk along the bank for an hour or so. Of course, I am now taking photos from this perspective.
It’s late afternoon by the time we finish walking and we decide to head home for a rest.
