This south-western suburb hugs the Battersea waterfront, roughly stretching from Wandsworth Bridge to Battersea Bridge. This area in turn is divided into the more modern slice below the Overground railway line, which consists of large developments facing the river banks, such as the dramatic buildings of Battersea Reach and Plantation Wharf (which faces Plantation Wharf Pier, one of the Thames’ riverboat service stops). The northern portion is a more standard Victorian neighbourhood (towards Battersea Park Road) and a post-war council estate (towards Battersea Church Road), with Surrey Lane dividing the two. The riverside generally consists of well-built brick housing of different ages. The area is predominantly residential, but there is a high street in the south-eastern corner of the postcode sector, furthermore there are numerous cafes and businesses around Battersea Square. Towards Plantation Wharf, a few hotels line the river banks. The area itself lacks many green spaces apart from Fred Wells Gardens and a small green space nearby, but it is in close proximity to York Gardens, Falcon Park, Battersea Park as well as the Thames riverside in general.

The Battersea area was renowned for its market gardening – supplying vegetables, flowers and fruit to the capital, as well as plants to the American colonies. The riverside hosted a few industrial sites, which remained scattered until the railways arrived, swelling the population from less than 7,000 in 1841 to 168,907 in 1901. The riverside windmills and wharves were replaced by large industrial factories, manufacturing candles, crucibles, flour and so on. The area would be largely industrial in nature until 1870, when more suburban housing was built (along with the development of considerable slums), a situation which remained until the Second World War destroyed many buildings in the area.

The Royal Academy of Dance, or the RAD, is located near Battersea Square. The RAD is one of the most prestigious dance education institutions in the world, setting global standards for exams in classical ballet, and has set standards for dance teaching since its establishment in 1920. It has since grown to a global organisation, with a presence in 85 countries and 1,000 students, with 250,000 being examined on its syllabi.

Transportation in the area can be a little scarce (unless you regularly commute by riverboat), despite the Overground line cutting through the area. Depending on where you are, Clapham Junction can be a kilometre or two away. Imperial Wharf is across the river, but is not connected by any convenient footpath (the river connection is rail-only). Furthermore, Battersea Park’s size blocks rail links from other parts of London. There are, however, bus routes on the main roads, going up to Waterloo and Chelsea.

This area has seen a few developments recently to improve on an area which has historically been considered to be poor. These developments are still concentrated along or near the riverside, such as Battersea Square Mews, a gated mews residential project near Battersea Square. Coda is another example of new development along this stretch of the Thames. The development is also home to the Royal Academy of Dance, which recently relocated there. Coda also has an on-site gym and plenty of local amenities in the form of riverside cafes and restaurants. Junction House, a new residential development in nearby York Gardens, offers a selection of 93 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.