Visiting The Chimney Lift at Battersea Power Station: Dizzy Heights and a Surprise Ending

One of London’s newest skyline attractions**, The Chimney Lift looms as you come out of Battersea Power Station tube. Battersea Power Station has been an  iconic London site dating back to its construction in the 1930s. I hadn’t been there since it was restored from a disused building into a modern retail and residential hub.

Battersea Power Station has a wide variety of family friendly things to do that frequently feature on Babes About Town. Whether it’s Bounce ping pong, Peppa Pig, the LEGO Store, the cinema, the Glide winter ice rink or pop-up activities from mini festivals to hula hooping discos.

I’ll have to admit it was less than buzzing on the Friday we visited and I hadn’t expected it to look quite so much like a shopping mall inside, crammed with high street shops and restaurants. The Chimney Lift entrance is on the 1st level of Turbine Hall A. Some reviews have warned to expect queues but we were pleased to be admitted right away. 

When you walk in, there’s a mini museum offering a brief history of Battersea Power Station told through photos, documents, hands-on models, interactive illustrated wall, and a short film. This makes up a chunk of the suggested 30-45 minutes for the entire visit and it’s a welcome addition to the experience. I enjoyed learning more about the history: for instance how coal was transported across town and used to generate electricity at Battersea Power Station. The station once powered up to 20 percent of London including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Bong!

Before heading upwards, one of the ushers informed us that after the first lift, there would be 39 steps to the actual Chimney Lift (if you have access needs, you should book ahead for assistance). 39 Steps? How very spy thriller-ish. Indeed it feels like an adventurous climb back in time, up the winding stairs where you can see more of the tower’s interior design. I love the industrial meets Art Deco style of this Grade II listed building, with so many of its original features maintained in the revamp. 

As you walk into the Chimney Lift itself, there’s a central seating area where you can dump your jackets (it can get pretty hot up there) but there’s limited space which is why visitors are taken up in small groups. We had been accompanied by a somewhat cheesy voiceover sharing historic titbits as we climbed the stairs, but now it was our usher encouraging us to look up. The lift ascended as we threw our heads back, admiring the chimney’s design as sunlight poured in from the top. When it comes to a halt, you actually stay within the Chimney Lift which offers stunning 360-degree views of London at 109 metres above ground.

Around the lift’s inner circumference, there are London landmarks listed by distance and we amused ourselves trying to spot everything from Crystal Palace (yes, over there!) to Wimbledon Centre Court (huh, where?!). I felt a bit like a kid again, moving from one side to another, and I actually wished I’d brought a pair of binoculars. Although even without my glasses, it was a sight to behold. 

I’ve climbed the O2’s roof, visited The Shard, stood on top of Parliament Hill, travelled via London’s cable car, but this has to be one of the coolest viewing platforms in town. We were blessed with clear skies and, gazing across skyscrapers and the sparkling Thames, I felt a rush of affection for this beautiful city that I call home.

Before we knew it (the viewing period lasts about 10 minutes max), it was time to go back down. When we came out of The Chimney Lift, our usher commanded us to follow him through a side door as it was time to “evacuate”.

“This must be part of the experience,” my sister said, knowledgeably. 

“I don’t think so,” I replied, “my man looks stressed.”

“Hurry along please,” the usher insisted, while talking urgently into his headpiece.

Our group clambered down flights of stairs (“Why did I wear these heels?” groaned my friend) and as we descended, we wondered what emergency situation would meet us at the ground floor.

We exited the building to find people lounging in picnic chairs on the outside lawn, sunshine overhead, a general atmosphere of calm.

“Please follow me to the evacuation point!” 

Our usher wasn’t done with us yet. But why, we wanted to know, what happens there? We’d already left the building after all! The poor young man was in peak crisis mode and he assured us it was protocol. Then his manager sauntered over to give us an update. Apparently there had been reports of a strange smell in the building but all seemed fine now, visitors were allowed back in and we were free to go about our day.

A dramatic ending to our visit but fortunately everyone made it out safe and sound and it only made the outing all the more memorable!

Overall Verdict

• We breezed in to the Chimney Lift without issues but as mentioned, there can be long queues in busy periods, so pick your time slot wisely.
• The experience is quite short but I’d say it’s well timed for families with young kids who might get bored and irritable at longer tourist attractions.
• That said, compared to other London views and landmarks, it is rather pricey for a 10 minute view of the city skyline. So do manage your expectations ahead of a visit (it’s really about the whole experience of being inside one of Battersea Power Station’s actual chimneys, not just the view) and it might be worth shopping around for ticket deals online. 
• Do plan accordingly if anyone in your group has mobility or sensory issues, as there is support available. Obviously this might not be the ideal day out for anyone who suffers from claustrophobia or vertigo. That said, my friend has a mild fear of heights and she was just fine!
• Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit, the Battersea Power Station building itself is a handsome work of architectural history, and The Chimney Lift is a fun one to tick off your London bucket list.

The Chimney Lift is at Battersea Power Station, Turbine Hall A (Level 1), Circus Rd W, Nine Elms, SW8 5BN (Battersea Power Station tube, Battersea Park rail). Opening hours: 10am-6pm (Mon-Wed), 10am-8pm (Thu-Sun and school holidays); adult 16+ from £16-£25/child aged 3-15 from £12-£18/family from £13pp-£19.50pp/under 3s FREE (ongoing)

**press trip, all opinions are the author’s own