CHRISTMAS AT BATTERSEA POWER STATION
With Chimney Experiences to Blow Santa's Mind, Skating, Festive Food and Entertainment, this might be London's Ultimate Christmas Destination
Battersea Power Station has turned its Christmas dial up to 11 with this year’s Glide ice rink, plus luxury igloos, a glass apres ski lodge, rides, games, elf school, festive markets and the chance to hurry up its iconic chimney, for a sleigh's view over London’s festive twinkles.
Giant candy canes welcome us, as we totter along Electric Boulevard towards the landmark, where we discover a 40 ft tree in Malaysia Square, exploding with 1,500 baubles, and a giant bauble installation bigger than a bus along the riverwalk.
London’s only riverside ice rink has returned for its third season, set against the backdrop of the Grade II listed Power Station, with three interconnecting rinks and a suitably extra, 30-foot Christmas tree.
The rink itself is straight out of a Richard Curtis Christmas rom-com, festooned with twinkling lights and swirling with couples or kids floating along with penguin aids.
Away from the ice, we recommend a festive tipple at The Glass House, overlooking the river and station. Their Cointreau Christmas Margarita with cranberry sauce is our kind of Christmas spirit and the Hot Chocolate Orange is a big hit with the kids, who burn the sugar off, by hurtling around Glide’s Helter Skelter and Carousel.
If you’re feeling particularly fancy, there are posh glass igloos - festooned with McQueen flowers, naturally - for fizz and a banging view of the Power Station.
For us, the real wow factor is a chance to play Santa with a trip up the world’s most iconic chimney, Lift 109. The experience includes an immersive history exhibit, before stepping inside the glass elevator and whooshing up 109 metres to the top of the chimney, for extraordinary 360 degree views across London’s skyline.
There are also a gaggle of seasonal events, from Santa’s School for Elves - a 25-minute experience inside the Big FC’s cosy yurt - to Christmas crafting workshops; festive food huts - check out their Chimney Cakes - and obviously, all the Christmas shopping and food your purse can handle, inside the station.
It’s one of our ultimate London Christmas picks - amazing backdrop: check. Skating: check. Festive food and entertainment: check. Chance to get a Santa’s eye view above London: check, check, check.
Battersea Power Station, Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, London SW11 8DD
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