Summer gems of Battersea

As we near the end of summer, it is time to take advantage of the many summer gems Battersea has to offer including pubs, theatres and that fabulous park of ours.

Battersea Park is stunning in the summer. You can rent boats/pedalos in August and September if the weather is good.

Regularly featuring on Where To Take Your Kids Over The School Holidays guides is Battersea Park Children’s Zoo. And with good reason too. Looking after a number of animals from exotic monkeys to farm classics such as pigs and rabbits, the zoo is perfect for animal-loving kids and parents alike. 

Head to Battersea Square for a summer time stroll. This is a minute’s walk from breathtaking views of the river and a part of Battersea worth visiting for a meal or drink. Very close to the Square is the delicious Thai On The River, while an Indian restaurant with the catchy name of Battersea Rickshaw is a good evening time option.Sitting outside in the square itself is obviously best in the summertime.

Formerly the legendary Sir Walter St John’s Grammar School for Boys, now Thomas’s London Day School stands on Battersea High Street, close to Battersea Square. While you’re enjoying the delights of the Square, check out this school as it is a building that will only ever legally be used for education purposes. Very noble eh?

 The shopping is good in Battersea. Head down to Twice As Nice located at 228 Battersea Park Road – they have a killer sale on until tomorrow evening so pick up some of their summer collection on the cheap!! Their new end of summer/autumn stock will be in on Monday! Other stores worth checking out include Debenhams opposite Clapham Junction station, where you can get up to 70% off and Fat Face for kids' and adults' clothing.  For fresh fish, cakes and other food, look no further than Northcote Road market – this buzzing market is double the fun in summertime!

Enjoy a beverage or two at one of Battersea’s fabulous drinking hotspots this summer. If you’re going for quirky, The Holy Drinker on Northcote Road is a good bet. Meanwhile, The Merchant Pub on Battersea Rise is more of a classic venue. But you don’t have to choose as they are a short walk from each other, so start at one and move on to the other later! Other drinking haunts worth venturing to include Red Monkey on Battersea Rise which sells the most fabulous Japanese cocktails, and Le Bouchon Bordelais, which allows you to indulge in the French drinking experience. All the above are a five minute walk from Clapham Junction station. 

Battersea entices many recent graduates to settle there, no doubt because of its lively nightlife. If you fancy a night on the tiles, The Clapham Grand on St John’s Hill is a good option. This weekend, you can buy a drink and get one free before 11pm!

And finally, see the plays showing at Battersea’s iconic theatres, Battersea Arts Centre and Theatre 503. 

The above summer gems are all worth hitting up in winter too, that is if you aren’t too cold to leave your house. Make the most of Battersea in summertime now!

What summer gems can you think of Battersea People? We want to hear from you!