A London view inside a chimney sounds wild. I love the power-station storytelling in Art Deco Turbine Hall A, and I love the multiplayer energy interaction that turns you into part of the show. This is a one-hour experience that mixes tech, history, and sky-high photos in a place you’ll recognize from a mile away.
You start low and build momentum: first the exhibits, then the lift sequence, then the moment you step onto the viewing platform for a true 360-degree London panorama. On a clear day, it’s the kind of view that makes your camera feel underpowered.
One heads-up before you book: there are 39 stairs during the experience, and if you need a step-free route you’ll want the wheelchair lift option reserved to match your time slot.
In This Review
- Key highlights worth planning for
- Entering Battersea’s Turbine Hall A before Lift 109
- The pre-ascent story: how Battersea went from power to attraction
- The interactive energy lights: your touchscreen turns you into the power source
- The Infinity Room countdown and the energy-particle show
- The chimney lift route: express lift, stairs, then Lift 109 to the top
- What the viewing platform feels like at 109 meters
- Price and value: is $22 for Lift 109 worth it?
- Timing, groups, and how smooth the experience runs
- Getting there and what to bring (and what they won’t allow)
- Who should book Lift 109 and who might skip it
- Should you book Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station?
- FAQ
- How long does Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station take?
- What’s included in the ticket price?
- Can I bring food or drink with me?
- Are strollers or luggage allowed?
- Do I need a ticket for an infant?
- Is there a place to store bags or luggage?
Key highlights worth planning for
- 109 meters up in an elevator sequence built into the chimney structure
- Art Deco Turbine Hall A set-up before you ride, so you get context first
- Interactive energy stations where you collectively power lights via touchscreen play
- Infinity Room with energy particles that react as you move and touch
- 360-degree photo stops with landmark views around the whole skyline
Entering Battersea’s Turbine Hall A before Lift 109
Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station isn’t just a straight up-and-down viewing platform. The experience starts in Turbine Hall A, where the setting matters: big Art Deco scale, and a pre-ride setup that frames what you’re about to do.
Before you even step into the lift portion, you’ll spend time with displays that explain what Battersea was built for and how it changed over time. It’s not a dusty museum march. It’s more like you’re walking into the building’s story, then getting handed your “next chapter” at the right moment.
If you like sites with personality, this one has it. Battersea looks cinematic from the outside, but inside you get that same feeling—just tied to the building’s power and purpose.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in London.
The pre-ascent story: how Battersea went from power to attraction
What I like about the start here is the pacing. You’re not thrown into the lift immediately. You’re given time to understand the building, and the exhibits guide your attention with visuals and audio.
You’ll also notice how the experience uses original records and media displays as storytelling tools. The goal is to make you look at Battersea and think beyond the skyline view that’s coming next.
And yes, there’s a practical reason for doing the history bit first. Once you reach the top, the view isn’t just London—it’s London seen in the context of a landmark that used to be machinery, not a backdrop.
The interactive energy lights: your touchscreen turns you into the power source
Midway through the build-up, you hit one of the most fun parts: an installation where visitors work together. There’s a large multiplayer touchscreen, and your collective input generates energy to power lights in the space.
This is the moment where the experience shifts from “reading about power” to “acting like power.” If you’re traveling with kids, teens, or anyone who enjoys hands-on sciencey play, this is likely to be their favorite stop.
Even if you’re there for the view (and you should be), the interactive portion helps you slow down. It makes the climb feel earned instead of rushed.
The Infinity Room countdown and the energy-particle show
After the energy installation, you’ll get a dramatic countdown signaling the next part of the experience. Then you step into what they call the Infinity Room, where energy particles swirl, rise, and fall around you.
Here’s the practical appeal: it’s interactive without requiring any special skills. You just move and touch where it responds, and the space reacts in a way that makes you feel like you’re inside the physics rather than watching it through glass.
If you’ve ever wished a museum experience felt more like a live show, this is that compromise. The visuals do a lot of heavy lifting, but your interaction is what keeps it from feeling passive.
The chimney lift route: express lift, stairs, then Lift 109 to the top
The transportation sequence is part of the attraction, and it’s staged in steps. First, an express lift transports you to the base of the north-west chimney.
Then you board London’s glass elevator, Lift 109, and it’s time for the climb upward. As you ascend, constellations of light guide your way, which helps the whole thing feel like a guided motion, not a plain ride.
One thing to know: there’s a staircase element in the middle of the process. Some parts involve climbing a spiral staircase to reach the final lift segment up to the viewing platform.
That staircase factor is why the 39 stairs warning matters. It’s not a long trek, but it’s real. If stairs are hard for you, you’ll want to plan around the step-free wheelchair lift option.
What the viewing platform feels like at 109 meters
At the top, the payoff is immediate: you’re high enough to read the city in layers. The experience is designed for a 360-degree view, plus a bird’s-eye view of the power station itself.
This is where Battersea turns from a building into a perspective trick. You’re looking at famous landmarks around London while also seeing the power station from a distance that makes its industrial shape feel strange and impressive.
Weather changes everything here. Even in wet weather or poor visibility, the experience can still feel memorable because you’re still inside an iconic structure with a glass lift experience. But if you can choose a clear day, choose it—visibility is what makes the landmarks pop.
Photo-wise, plan to take your time. People tend to gather where the skyline opens, and you’ll want to move slowly so you don’t miss angles.
Price and value: is $22 for Lift 109 worth it?
At about $22 per person, this sits in the “worth it if you’re doing London highlights” category. It’s not cheap-cheap, but it also isn’t a half-day commitment either.
You’re paying for three things in one ticket:
- A rare viewpoint inside a chimney you can’t replicate with a normal tower ticket
- A guided, staged experience that includes interactive rooms before you reach the sky
- A time-efficient format at roughly one hour, which makes it easy to slot into a busy day
One nuance: some visitors feel the top portion can feel a bit short. That doesn’t ruin the value, but it’s why I’d treat the photo stop as the main event and build your day around it rather than treating it as a casual bonus.
If you’re already in the Battersea area, the pricing feels more reasonable. If you’re crossing London solely for this, it’s still doable, but you’ll want to pair it with nearby sights so the overall day feels complete.
Timing, groups, and how smooth the experience runs
Most of the experience is designed around time slots, so the flow matters. When it runs well, it feels organized and quick at check-in, with friendly staff guiding you through each stage.
That said, a couple small comfort issues show up in real-world use. Some people find the early waiting area can feel a bit tight, and there isn’t much seating mentioned as a feature. If you’re sensitive to crowds, go earlier or choose a less busy time slot when possible.
The staff tone tends to be upbeat and helpful. One guide named Sammy is specifically called out for being cheery in the lift, and that kind of light energy helps when you’re standing inside an attraction that mixes tech visuals with heights.
Getting there and what to bring (and what they won’t allow)
Battersea Power Station is easy to reach within the complex. One practical note I’d follow: arrive a bit early and don’t wait until the last minute to figure out where to report.
Food and drink aren’t included in your ticket. Also, there’s no cloakroom for storing bags. So pack light and plan to carry your essentials.
Here’s what’s explicitly not allowed:
- Baby strollers
- Luggage or large bags
- Bikes
- Unaccompanied minors
- Scooters
Strollers are only permitted in The Gallery space, and they can’t be taken into the lift area.
For what you bring, you’re basically limited to a handbag or small rucksack you can carry against your body, roughly A4 size (210 x 297 mm). If you’re traveling with something bigger, you’ll want a different plan before you arrive.
If you’re going for step-free access, the wheelchair route requires reserving the wheelchair lift, and the time on your entry ticket needs to match the wheelchair lift reservation time.
Who should book Lift 109 and who might skip it
This is a great fit if you want:
- A high-end viewpoint without the hassle of a long climb
- An attraction that mixes history explanation with interactive science-style rooms
- A London skyline experience that feels different from the usual viewpoints
It’s also a good choice for families, since the interactive elements give kids something to do while adults get the landmark views.
You might reconsider if you:
- Struggle with stairs and need a fully step-free route without any tradeoffs
- Prefer a quiet, minimalist viewpoint experience (the interactive rooms and staging are part of the point)
- Want to bring larger luggage or anything stroller-sized into the lift area
Should you book Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station?
If you’re in London and want a memorable viewpoint that also explains what you’re standing in, I think Lift 109 is a solid yes. For the time (about one hour), the ticket price is competitive when you consider you’re getting a full experience, not just a platform.
Book it if you can. Choose your time slot based on weather if you’re chasing crisp landmark photos. Pack light, plan for stairs, and give the interactive rooms a real chance—because that’s where the experience starts to feel like more than just a view.
If you want a modern take on an old power-station icon, this is one of the better bets in the Battersea area.
FAQ
How long does Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station take?
The experience duration is listed as 1 hour, and you’ll check availability to see the starting time options.
What’s included in the ticket price?
The ticket includes Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station entry. Food and drink are not included.
Can I bring food or drink with me?
The information provided lists food and drink as not included. That means the ticket doesn’t cover meals, but it doesn’t specify your ability to bring your own.
Are strollers or luggage allowed?
Baby strollers aren’t allowed, and luggage or large bags aren’t allowed. Strollers are only permitted in The Gallery area and can’t be taken into the lift.
Do I need a ticket for an infant?
Infants 2 years old and under can enter for free and do not require a ticket.
Is there a place to store bags or luggage?
There is no cloakroom at Lift 109. Bring only a handbag or small rucksack you can carry on your body about A4 size.
