Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station

Emma and I at the top of Lift 109.

Friday March 10, 2023.

For our 11th wedding anniversary Emma and I had decided on a trip to London, where we would go for a meal, take in the sights and stay in a hotel.

Emma had also booked a trip up the newly opened Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station, which I was unaware of until the day.

It was a blustery and chilly afternoon as we arrived at Battersea Power Station where we grabbed a coffee from one of the local coffee vans, before taking a walk around the perimeter of the building. We then headed inside the enormous building that had been lovingly restored and refurbished.

You can just make out Lift 109 sticking up out of the top of the chimney.

I won't talk about the Power Station itself as I will be writing a blog about this magnificent building soon. Suffice to say that I was blown away by the sheer scale of the interior.

After a spot of lunch, we made our way to the reception area for Lift 109 and, after passing through the now customary metal detector, waited patiently in line.

We didn't have to wait long and were soon in the interactive area, where we could control the power grid and look at some of the original machinery that had been left over. Original records and media displays brought to the life the history of the building.

Time to control the power grid.

We also stood by the green screen and, after choosing a background, stood for our photo (above) which we would collect on the way out.

Moments later we made our way to the lift lobby where the walls came alive with flames, sparks and a depiction of London's skyline.

London's skyline.

We then moved into a lift that took us up to the start of the 39 steps, that spiralled around the interior of the chimney, that would lead us to Lift 109.

Ready to enter the lift.

Once the other visitors had exited Lift 109 our group of about a dozen made our way inside. 

Lift mechanism.

The interior of the chimney has red neon rings around its interior and, as we began our ascent in our glass elevator, music began to filter through the speakers.

Our ascent begins.

Breaching the top of the chimney filled everyone with awe and gasps could be good from all inside. It was a strange sensation to be stood in a glass room, atop a 109 metre high chimney with the wind whistling around the lift, but it didn't feel unsafe. 

Looking down on the power station.

The views, considering how overcast and wintry it had been, were incredible. Crystal Palace could clearly be seen to the south, while the famous Wembley Arch could be seen glinting in the  afternoon sun, to the north. 

Looking south towards Crystal Palace.

Looking north towards Wembley Stadium.

To the west you could make out Kew Gardens and to the east the horizon was filled with the towering glass monoliths of the City of London and Canary Wharf, along with The Shard, the London Eye and countless other landmarks that London is famous for.

Looking westward.

Looking east towards the cities of Westminster, London and Canary Wharf.

Too soon, though, we began our descent and exited the lift. Then it was back down the 39 steps, into the lifts and exiting the attraction via the gift shop, where we got our souvenir photo and purchased gifts for Erin and Keilyn.

On leaving Battersea Power Station we took the Thames Clipper back to Westminster, to continue our day.

Battersea Power Station from the River Thames.

It was a great experience that I can't wait to do again on a clearer day or evening... or both.

Below is a link to a short video from Lift 109 that I filmed.

Lift 109 video

Book your tickets via the link below.

Lift 109

Trivia

• You enter Lift 109 at 55 metres up the building
• An average of 25,000 wheelbarrows of concrete were used to build each chimney