A chimney lift is not supposed to be this fun. At Battersea Power Station, you ride Lift 109 up 109 meters, then look over London with 360-degree views from the top. My favorite part is how playful the build-up feels, and my main caution is the stair count, since you’ll climb 39 steps during the route.

Before you go up, the experience starts in the Art Deco Turbine Hall A with power-station history displays. You then get hands-on with interactive energy moments, including a lighting installation you help power, plus an Infinity Room where energy particles react to your touch. One person to look out for in the reviews was a guide named Sammy, and staff in general come across as friendly and quick with landmark tips.

Pack light and plan for tight spaces in the beginning. This is not a stroller or big-bag-friendly outing inside the lift, and there is no cloakroom, so your best bet is a handbag or small rucksack you can carry on your body.

Key highlights you should not miss

• Lift 109, 109 meters up: Glass elevator ascent with a dramatic, light-guided feel.
• Turbine Hall A storytelling: Power-station history shown before you board.
• Hands-on energy moments: A multiplayer touchscreen powers a lighting installation.
• Infinity Room effects: Touch triggers swirling energy particles.
• Top views that actually help: Clear landmark spotting when skies cooperate.

What the Chimney Lift Experience at Battersea Power Station gets right

This isn’t just a vertical ride. You start with context, then you get playful science-style visuals, then you earn the payoff at the top with real views in all directions.

The design is smart because it spreads the excitement. You are not waiting an hour just for a short viewing moment. The early parts keep you busy, and that matters, because the whole experience runs about 1 hour.

I also like the emotional pacing. It goes from history and interactive screens, to a tense, slow glide upward in Lift 109, then to the big reveal once you pop out onto the viewing platform.

Turbine Hall A: the power-station story before you climb

Your route begins in Turbine Hall A, a magnificent Art Deco space inside Battersea Power Station. Right away, you get original records and media displays that explain how the building worked and how its purpose has changed over time.

This section works even if you are not a power nerd. The storytelling is clear enough that you can walk in, get the gist quickly, and still feel like you did something more meaningful than just riding upstairs.

There’s also a helpful sense of orientation. You learn what you are about to experience, so when the route shifts, you’re not guessing what comes next.

Energy-play at the interactive lighting installation and touchscreen

After the Turbine Hall A introductions, you reach an area centered on an interactive lighting installation. The key idea is simple: visitors can collectively generate energy to power the lights.

It sounds gimmicky, but that collective element changes the mood. Instead of passively watching, you’re part of the action. That makes a difference for kids, but it also keeps adults from just standing around.

The room itself is built for short attention spans. You can quickly figure out what you’re doing, see feedback, and move on when the next part signals the next chapter.

Infinity Room: touching energy particles like you control the sky

The experience continues with a dramatic countdown, then you step into the Infinity Room. Here, energy particles swirl, rise, and fall around you, and they respond to your touch.

This is the moment that tends to feel most surreal. The visual effect is the point, but the layout also helps you move naturally, so you are not stuck in one spot the whole time.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes hands-on breaks during museum-style visits, this is a big reason to book. It’s also one of the best places for photos, because the light effects frame people in a way plain waiting areas do not.

Boarding Lift 109: the stairs, the express lift, and the glass elevator feel

Once you pass the interactive sections, you shift from exhibit mode to movement. An express lift takes you to the base of the north-west chimney, and then you board London’s new glass elevator, Lift 109.

The ascent is guided by constellations of light. It’s one of those touches that makes the climb feel themed, not purely mechanical.

Now, the part you should plan for: 39 stairs are involved during the experience. A number of people find this manageable, but I would not ignore it. If stairs affect your day, treat this as a serious planning item, not a minor note.

Also, the route inside does not allow much extra storage. There is no cloakroom, so expect bag checks on entry and plan for what you will carry the whole time.

At the top: 360-degree views, landmark spotting, and photo reality

Reaching the viewing platform at 109 meters is the payoff. The view is the star, with a 360-degree sweep over London landmarks and a bird’s-eye view of the power station itself.

When skies are clear, it’s straightforward to identify major sights and take photos in every direction. One of the great things about the design is that it helps you point your camera where it matters, so you can actually come home with usable shots.

On darker or wet days, the experience still works. The views may be less crisp for landmark details, but you still get the height and the atmosphere.

Timing note: the top stop can feel brief. I’d plan your photo strategy before you get there, because you may only have a few minutes at the very top before the flow moves on.

Timing and how to avoid stress when signage is unclear

This is scheduled by entry time slots, and the experience lasts about an hour. Because the route is timed, you’ll want to arrive early enough to settle in without rushing.

One practical issue to know: the meeting point can be confusing when you first arrive. If you hate wandering while holding your phone camera like a flotation device, come at least 15 to 20 minutes early.

It can also feel a little cramped around the start while people funnel into the early rooms. If you’re sensitive to crowding, go at a quieter time of day if you can, and keep your expectations realistic.

Waiting areas may not have much seating. If you’re with older family members, having them stand in one spot for a bit is the kind of thing you can plan around, especially on cooler days.

Price and value: is Lift 109 worth about $22?

At about $22 per person, this ticket is not the cheapest London activity. But the value comes from what you get for that cost: access to Lift 109 itself plus the timed experience inside Battersea, including the interactive exhibits that lead up to the climb.

If you usually pay for skyline views in tower structures, this feels different because you’re inside a landmark, in a chimney, with themed interactive content before you even reach the top. That combination matters for value.

You also don’t need to add a separate tour guide. Staff run the experience and help you through what you’re seeing, including pointing out landmarks in the viewing area.

On the downside, the experience is short. You’re not planning a half-day adventure here, and you don’t get food included. If you’re hungry, you’ll need to eat separately in the surrounding Battersea Power Station area.

Who should book this chimney lift (and who might reconsider)

This is a strong pick if you want a compact, high-impact activity in London. The height and the 360 views give you the classic skyline reward, but the interactive rooms make it feel more like a hands-on attraction than a simple observation deck.

It’s also a good choice across ages. The energy installation and Infinity Room visuals keep younger visitors engaged, while the power-station setting and views work for adults who like iconic architecture.

If you dislike stairs, you should think carefully. The main route involves 39 stairs, and there is a step-free option only when you reserve a wheelchair lift for specific times.

If you’re traveling with lots of gear, plan to slim down. This experience limits luggage and large bags, and there is no cloakroom.

Practicalities you should know before you go

Here’s what will affect your comfort more than anything else.

What you can bring

• No luggage or large bags
• Bikes and scooters are not allowed
• A handbag or small rucksack is fine, about A4 size (210 x 297 mm)
• There’s no cloakroom, so you carry your items on you

Strollers and kids

• Baby strollers are not allowed in the lift route
• Strollers are only permitted in the Gallery space, and cannot be brought into the Lift
• Unaccompanied minors are not allowed
• Infants age 2 and under can enter free of charge and do not need a ticket

Mobility and the step-free workaround

• The experience involves 39 stairs up and down
• If you need a step-free route, reserve the wheelchair lift, available on the hour and on the half-hour
• Your entry ticket time must match your wheelchair lift reservation time
• Maximum wheelchair size accommodated is 115 cm by 65 cm

Sound and guidance

Most guides are helpful and quick with explanations and landmark pointers. If sound is tricky for you, position yourself closer so you can catch instructions when groups move between rooms.

Should you book the Chimney Lift at Battersea Power Station?

Yes, if you want a one-hour activity with standout views and a story-driven, interactive build-up. The pricing feels fair for what it includes: Lift 109 access and multiple exhibit stops that make the experience feel more complete than a simple lift-and-look.

Book it especially if you’re traveling with mixed ages or you’d rather spend your time doing something hands-on instead of only reading plaques. If your day is already packed, this is a smart way to still get an iconic London view without committing to a long tour.

Skip or rethink it if stairs are a dealbreaker, if you need to carry bulky luggage, or if you’re expecting a long, leisurely stay at the top. This is a timed route. You’ll love it most when you treat it like a focused attraction, not an all-day viewpoint.

FAQ

How long is the Chimney Lift at Battersea Power Station?

The experience duration is listed as 1 hour, and it runs by available time slots.

What is included in the price?

The entry ticket includes Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station. Food and drink are not included.

Are strollers, luggage, or bikes allowed?

Baby strollers are not allowed, and luggage or large bags are not allowed. Bikes and scooters are not allowed either.

How many stairs are involved?

There are 39 stairs to climb up and down during the experience.

Is there a step-free route if I can’t do stairs?

Yes. You can reserve a wheelchair lift for a step-free route. It is available on the hour and on the half-hour, and the times on your entry ticket and wheelchair lift reservation must match.

Is there a cloakroom for bags?

No. There is no cloakroom at Lift 109, so you should only bring a handbag or small rucksack about A4 size (210 x 297 mm).