Lady’s Battersea Park Guide

One of my favorite things about visiting a city is exploring its parks. From the manicured parks in Paris to the gorgeous Planten un Blomen in Hamburg, I’ve enjoyed a walk through many a park in the world. But even after living in London for years, there are still a few parks in my own city I haven’t explored. One of those is Battersea Park.

Battersea Park

Well, I should say one of those was Battersea Park. On Monday I had the opportunity to explore the park after receiving an invitation for a complimentary stay at the Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel and Spa, which is right across the street from it.

After checking into my enormous suite on the 11th floor, I opened the glass doors, stepped out onto the terrace, and surveyed the view.

The green space of Battersea Park stretched out in front of me with its wide lawns, wild lakes, and hidden gardens. I grabbed my camera, hopped on the elevator, and found myself among the trees by the Thames.

I spent the next two hours exploring every corner of Battersea Park.

I started out by the tennis courts and running track, working my way to the more serene areas where paddle boats bobbed up and down on the gentle waters of the lake.

I walked through herb gardens, tropical gardens, and a secret English garden. I passed by a small zoo and an amusement park.

Eventually I found myself on the banks of the river. The Thames Path runs right along Battersea Park, and I followed it back to where I started.

The river was quiet in the fading light of day, and the busy bridges, heavy barges, and famous Battersea Power Station in the background gave the scene a romantic feeling of faded industrialism.

Back at the Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel and Spa, I returned to my room to relax before dinner. The living space was decorated in white with funky wallpaper and photos of London.

I sank into a leather sofa next to a table with a big bowl of fruit on it.

Near me was the mini bar, which contained complimentary beer, wine, soda, juice, water, and snacks. It was all I could do to not ruin my dinner by raiding it.

My suite had two bathrooms, one with a tub (with a TV), and the other with a shower. Each one had the hotel’s signature neon blue lighting (which I found a bit confusing, but I could turn it off).

They also had separate bottles of shampoo, shower gel, and conditioner. It was a refreshing change from hotels that combine two of the three, or just leave one of them out completely.

The bedroom had a huge king-size bed and a large TV. It was everything I needed for a great stay near Battersea Park.

Across the hall was a lounge for guests staying on my floor. It had complimentary snacks, tea, coffee, and newspapers. The balcony had great views of the Battersea Power Station, too.

Pre-dinner canapes were served there every evening, but again I resisted so as not to spoil my dinner.

Dinner came in the Atlantico Restaurant on the ground floor of the hotel. I’d eaten there once before to try the Taste of Portugal menu, and I was excited to experience the main menu on this visit.

A friend met me there and we enjoyed starters of fried calamari and octopus carpaccio, mains of filet mignon, and desserts of chocolate fondant and raspberry mille-feuille.

I was a particular fan of the steak, which was juicy and cooked just to my liking. The Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel went well with it, too.

After dinner I crashed into bed and got a good night’s sleep with no noise or interruptions. I was up at 8am and had every intention of going for another walk in Battersea Park or along the Thames Path.

That is, until I opened the curtains. It was pouring rain.

Instead I went across the hall and helped myself to breakfast in the lounge. There was a buffet spread with hot and cold foods, juices, teas, and coffees.

I had the whole room to myself as I read the paper and watched the news on TV. It was a peaceful way to start the day.

After breakfast I checked out of the Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel and Spa and caught a bus to the tube station at Sloane Square.

As the bus pulled away, I looked back through the rain at Battersea Park, barely believing that just the day before I’d taken a beautiful evening walk through the gardens.

If the weather ever clears up, I’ll have to go back to Battersea Park to remind myself it was real.

If not, I’m sure my upcoming travels to Seattle, British Columbia, and the Balkans will give me plenty of opportunities to explore more green spaces in urban landscapes.

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