To celebrate one-year since opening its doors to the public for the first time in history, Battersea Power Station is hosting ‘Behind The Bricks’, a nine-day festival between 21 to 29 October 2023 where visitors can discover more about the London landmark’s rich heritage and transformation into a new riverside destination.
Visitors can expect an array of fun themed activities that take inspiration from the 1930s and 1950s, the decades in which the two-halves of Battersea Power Station were completed, including a colourful and Insta-worthy 1950s inspired hair and beauty salon that will pop-up in Turbine Hall B with cocktails available from Control Room B.
Official Battersea Power Station Guided Tours will launch during the festival, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about the Grade II* listed building’s iconic history. The tour will also include special access to the beautifully restored Art Deco, Control Room A, for the first time.
This stunning architectural masterpiece was once where power was distributed to addresses across London including Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. Visitors can also follow a free heritage trail map and discover historic items from the Power Station inside the building and outside in the six acre Power Station Park.
The Behind The Bricks Festival will also feature live music with classic hits from the 1930s and 1950s including a performance from the Battersea Power Station Community Choir who will be performing a Beatles Medley of songs from the film ‘Help!’, which the Power Station appeared in. Professional dancers will also be on hand to teach visitors how to ‘swing’ and ‘jive’ along.
Other activities taking place during the festival will include:
– Expert panel talks: Revealing untold stories about the London landmark, experts involved in the restoration of the Grade II* listed building will discuss topics including rebuilding the iconic chimneys, the story behind the 1.75 million bricks used to restore the building and how the Power Station’s VIBs (very important birds), the Peregrine Falcons, and the biodiversity of the site have been cared for throughout the redevelopment. Plus, former employees at the coal fired Power Station will share their experiences about what it was like to work there.
– Historic exhibition: An exhibition on the history of the Power Station including the different attempts to redevelop the site and a full historical timeline highlighting the building’s key milestones since 1929, will be on display on Level 1 in Turbine Hall A.
– Children’s activities: Children can get hands-on with history at the festival’s arts and crafts sessions, which will include a vintage poster colouring workshop with Postmark, Faber Castell and Betty Etiquette, as well as a paper red telephone box making workshop. There will also be a self-guided Heritage Trail Map just for little ones, free facepainting at weekends and a free foam brick pit.
– Battersea Bookshop storytelling sessions: The Power Station’s neighbourhood bookstore will be hosting storytelling sessions of children’s classics including Mary Poppins and Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator instore.
– Searcys Shillings: Searcys will be displaying a 10ft Champagne bottle in Turbine Hall A, to celebrate the one-year anniversary and the opening of their brand new champagne bar inside Turbine Hall A. The Searcys team will also be getting into the 1930s spirit by handing out special shillings that visitors can use to redeem treats at the new bar.
Simon Murphy, CEO at Battersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC), said, “The one-year anniversary of the public opening of Battersea Power Station is a momentous occasion to celebrate. This anniversary also happens to represent forty years since the Grade II* listed building was decommissioned, reflecting the immense challenge it has been to save and restore this London landmark, which was made possible thanks to the determination, commitment and support of our shareholders. We look forward to paying homage to the Power Station’s rich history with a series of themed activities and events for all to enjoy during Behind the Bricks to mark this celebratory moment.”
Travelling to Battersea Power Station couldn’t be easier with the Zone 1 Battersea Power Station Underground station bringing the riverside neighbourhood within 15 minutes of the West End and the City. Battersea Power Station also has its very own Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier and is a 15- minute journey from Embankment, 20 minutes from Blackfriars, 30 minutes from Putney and 40 minutes from Canary Wharf. The riverside neighbourhood is easily accessible by bus, bike, car and train too.
