The Chimney Lift at Battersea Power Station

A chimney lift inside one of London’s most famous Art Deco buildings is an idea that should not work, and yet it does. Lift 109 turns the climb into a hands-on, light-and-energy experience, and the payoff is 360-degree views that help you spot London landmarks fast.

The one thing I’d flag is practical, not dramatic: there are about 39 stairs during the experience, so plan ahead if you want an easier route.

Key highlights

• Lift 109 chimney ride (109 meters up): a glass elevator ascent that keeps you looking upward and forward
• Art Deco Turbine Hall A history start: original records and media displays give context before you move
• Interactive energy moments: a multiplayer touchscreen where you collectively generate energy for the lighting installation
• Infinity Room touch-response: energy particles swirl, rise, and fall based on what you do
• Clear views even in weather swings: sunny days are best, but it can still feel worthwhile on a murky day
• Helpful guiding and landmark spotting: guides point things out, and posters in Lift 109 can help you identify what you see

What Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station feels like, and why it is different

The chimney lift at Battersea Power Station is not just a “go up, look around, go down” ticket. You walk into a legendary building first, then the experience slowly ramps up the science-meets-story approach. You’ll start with the power station’s past, then move into interactive light and energy rooms that make the building’s purpose feel very real.

I like this kind of attraction for families and first-time London visitors because it gives you two rewards at once: something to do indoors, and then a big London view at the end. The other reason it works is simple. You are inside the structure while everything is being explained. You’re not stuck reading plaques while waiting for a skyline reveal.

One more note to keep your expectations straight. Even though the total experience is scheduled as 1 hour, some people feel the top section can be brief, and the views can be the main event you walk away with.

Getting in: check-in, bags, and finding Lift 109 inside the complex

Plan to arrive with a little breathing room. A few people have said the meeting point instructions were not crystal clear, and it only takes a couple of wrong turns before you feel rushed.

When you arrive, you typically start in the main Art Deco Turbine Hall A area. There is ticket scanning, then you’re routed into the pre-activity spaces. One review mentions a bag check on the way in, which makes sense given you’re moving through a managed attraction inside an active public site.

Bags and what you can bring matter here:

• No luggage or large bags
• No cloakroom at Lift 109
• Bring only a handbag or small rucksack about A4 size (210 x 297 mm), and carry it on your body

Also know the strollers rule: strollers are only permitted in the Gallery space and cannot go into the Lift area. If you’re traveling with anything bigger than a small bag, you’ll want to rethink it early to avoid stress at the entrance.

If you want a smoother day, treat this like a timed museum visit: go in, follow staff directions, and let the flow carry you.

Art Deco Turbine Hall A: the history part that actually sets up the view

Before you step into any lift, you start in the power station’s magnificent Art Deco Turbine Hall A. This is where the experience earns its keep. You’re not just shown a few facts. You get a curated-feeling run of original records and media displays that explain what Battersea Power Station was, and how it has reinvented itself over time.

This matters because when you finally rise above the building, you’re not just seeing a postcard skyline. You can look down and make sense of the power station as an object with a past, not only an iconic photo spot. I like that it gives you a mental map before the lighting and lift moments take over.

There is also a strong story rhythm. You’re shown what the building means, then you move into interactive energy steps right after. That keeps the experience from feeling like a lecture.

Interactive energy rooms: touchscreen power and the Infinity Room effect

The attraction’s “hands-on” section is the real reason many people walk out smiling even if the weather is not perfect.

First, you get a lighting installation that whirls and glows as visitors interact with a giant multiplayer touchscreen. The idea is playful and straightforward: when you touch and interact, you help generate energy that powers the visuals.

Then comes the Infinity Room, where energy particles swirl around you, rising and falling as they respond to your touch. Even if you don’t care about science, this is the moment that turns the power station from an impressive building into a place that feels alive.

A couple of practical tips for this part:

• Plan to keep your phone ready, but don’t block your view of the room interaction screens
• If you’re traveling with kids, this is where they usually relax the most
• If you’re short on patience, remember that this section is built for participation, so it will slow down compared to a basic exhibit

This stage also helps the pacing. By the time you reach the lift ascent, the “waiting” feels like part of the show, not dead time.

The climb inside the chimney: stairs, the express lift, and Lift 109’s glass ascent

Now for the mechanical part. You’ll move in steps, not one single elevator-only move.

After the interactive rooms, an express lift transports you to the base area of the north-west chimney. Then you board Lift 109, described as a glass elevator. From there, you move up and onwards with a light-guided effect, including constellations of light that seem to lead the eye toward the viewing platform.

Here is the important practical consideration. Despite the word lift, there are stairs. You’re told there are 39 stairs to climb up and down during the experience. That includes a mix of stair movement along the route, and at least one spiral staircase element appears in how some people describe the final approach.

If you need a step-free option, you can reserve a wheelchair lift that runs on the hour and on the half-hour. The times need to match what is on your ticket and wheelchair lift reservation, so don’t wing it. The maximum wheelchair size accommodated is 115 cm by 65 cm.

If you are traveling with mobility needs, you’ll get the best day by aligning everything before you arrive. It’s also wise to keep your expectations realistic about how much walking and stair climbing the standard route includes.

At the top: 360-degree London views and how to take better photos

The payoff is simple: you rise 109 meters above the ground and get both a 360-degree view of London and a bird’s eye view of the power station itself.

On clear, sunny days, landmark spotting is easier. Even people who experienced wet weather and poor visibility still called the experience enjoyable, which tells you the viewing area works even when the skyline is softened by clouds or drizzle. You just won’t get the same crisp distant detail.

Photo tips that will save you time:

• Use the posters in Lift 109 if they’re provided during your visit to help you identify landmarks
• Take a few wide shots first, then circle for details while you still have energy
• If it’s windy, keep your hands steady and protect your lens from drizzle

One review notes the top time felt short, around five minutes. That fits a common pattern for observation decks: the route is designed to keep traffic moving so everyone gets their turn. If you want lots of photos, you’ll do best with a quick plan before you reach the viewing platform. Aim to identify a couple of landmarks, shoot your angles, then relax for the last minutes.

Guides and pacing: quick check-in, friendly staff, and a smoother flow than you’d expect

The staff quality is a big part of why this experience lands well. People describe friendly guides, efficient check-in, and guides who are willing to point out what you’re seeing.

One name that comes up is Sammy, mentioned as cheery and helpful during the ride. That kind of guide behavior matters here, because the attraction includes interactive rooms and a vertical journey. A good guide keeps the story coherent and helps you feel confident you’re on the right track.

A small heads-up: some early waiting areas can feel a bit cramped, especially during busier time slots. If you want the most relaxed version of this, choose a quieter time of day when you can enjoy the interactive areas without feeling squeezed.

Also, seating expectations are mixed. One person wished for more seating in the waiting area. So if you get tired easily, consider planning your day so you are not arriving already worn out from other walking.

Price and value: is $22 per person worth it?

At $22 per person, this is priced like a mid-range attraction. It is not a “cheap thrill,” but it is also not an all-day blockbuster cost.

Here’s the value logic that helps me think about it fairly:

• Your ticket includes Lift 109 entry, meaning you are paying for the climb and the viewing moment, not just a tour of displays
• The interactive rooms add real time and engagement before you reach the platform
• You get both a modern, interactive science-style experience and a classic London skyline view

The drawback on value is the same point as earlier: if you come expecting a long leisurely stay at the top, you may feel the viewing time is brief. But the experience is built as an intense 1-hour circuit, and for many people that is exactly what they want.

Food is not included, and transportation is not included. If you want lunch or a snack, you’ll need to plan it around the visit. The good news is the Battersea Power Station complex has shops and places to eat, so you can usually pair this with a meal nearby.

Who should book Lift 109, and who might rethink it

This is a strong fit if you want:

• A high-impact London view without doing a long queue-style observation deck plan
• Something interactive for kids and teens, not only a viewpoint
• A visit that combines architecture, light, and skyline in one timed route

It may be less ideal if:

• You rely heavily on step-free movement and do not want to coordinate wheelchair lift timing and reservations carefully
• You need to travel with larger bags, because there is no cloakroom at Lift 109 and you’re limited to small personal items
• You cannot do stairs. Even though the attraction includes lifts, the standard route includes about 39 stairs

A final eligibility note from the rules: unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and infants aged 2 and under enter free. Also, no baby strollers, luggage, bikes, or scooters in the Lift area.

If you’re planning a half-day at Battersea Power Station, I’d treat Lift 109 as the main event, then build the rest of your time around it. Battersea Power Station is a good place to wander, and Battersea Park is nearby for fresh air and a slower pace after your climb.

My verdict: should you book the Chimney Lift at Battersea Power Station

Book it if you want an iconic London landmark plus an experience that feels hands-on, not just observational. For the price, Lift 109 delivers a rare combo: interactive energy rooms inside a world-famous building, then a 109-meter viewing moment where you can scan the city in all directions.

I’d still approach it with open eyes about logistics. Bring only a small bag, plan for stairs, and don’t assume you’ll linger at the top forever. If you match the experience to your mobility needs and arrive with a bit of time to find the right meeting area, it’s a great way to see London from a place that feels genuinely different.

FAQ

How long is the Chimney Lift at Battersea Power Station?

The experience is scheduled for 1 hour, based on your selected time slot.

What is included in the price?

Your ticket includes Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station entry.

Is food included?

No. Food and drink are not included.

Are there restrictions on bags and strollers?

Yes. There is no cloakroom at Lift 109, and you can only bring a handbag or small rucksack about A4 size. Baby strollers are not allowed, and strollers are only permitted in the Gallery space, not in the Lift.

How many stairs are involved?

The experience includes 39 stairs to climb up and down. If you require a step-free route, you can reserve the wheelchair lift (on the hour and half-hour), but your ticket time and reservation times need to match.

Are infants and minors allowed?

Infants (2 years old and under) enter free of charge and do not require a ticket. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.