From ‘Ramses & the Pharaohs’ Gold: The Exhibition’ to world-class retail and leisure, The Wimbledon Experience, a major new event ‘Electric Summer’ and celebrASIA, Battersea Power Station is the must-visit destination for GCC visitors to London this summer.
As global travel resumes and direct flights continue from the UAE and wider GCC region to the UK, London is reclaiming its crown as the ultimate summer destination. Statistics from VisitBritain show that the UK was the most visited destination in Western Europe amongst GCC tourists in 2025, with over 466 flight departures every week connecting the two regions.
For those visiting London this summer, Battersea Power Station has established itself as a must-visit destination, offering a seamless blend of curated retail and leisure experiences, culture and family entertainment, inviting visitors to discover a destination that is far away, yet wonderfully familiar.
Electric Summer: A Brand-New Riverside Funfair
Opening for the first time this year, Electric Summer at Battersea Power Station, powered by Geely Auto UK, transforms Power Station Park into a free-to-enter riverside funfair from 29 July to 31 August. Set against the backdrop of the iconic Grade II* listed building, the experience brings together a roller rink, a giant observation wheel, dodgems and a wave swinger, alongside pétanque courts on the riverside Coaling Jetty, boardwalk-style games and a curated food and drink line-up.
The roller rink sits at the heart of the experience, with sessions for all abilities from beginner lessons and ‘Junior Wheelers’ for children, to dedicated roller fitness classes for adults. Evenings bring a livelier mood, with Thursday date-night skates and Saturday silent discos. Guests can also soar above the skyline on the observation wheel, enjoy classic funfair games, or try their hand at pétanque, the chic French ball game that has become a social media favourite, all with stunning views over the Thames.
Food and drink are also thoughtfully curated, with the fully licensed Boardwalk Bar and rooftop terrace serving refreshing drinks and indulgent treats, and Jimmy Garcia, known as the ‘Prince of Pop-Ups’, presenting Boulangerie Sociale, a counter-style diner serving artisan sandwiches and sweet treats on The Coaling Jetty.
Advance booking is recommended for the roller rink, pétanque and observation wheel via electricsummer.co.uk.
Culture: History Brought to Life
A hub of culture in London, Battersea Power Station is an iconic Grade II* listed landmark, which once generated one-fifth of London’s power, supplying electricity to renowned addresses including Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. The historic building, with its four iconic chimneys that soar above the UK capital, has been masterfully restored and forms the centrepiece of this new riverside neighbourhood, which is home to over 170 shops, restaurants, cafes and leisure experiences, both inside and around the Power Station.
This summer, Battersea Power Station is also the proud host of the monumental Ramses & the Pharaohs’ Gold: The Exhibition at NEON. This once-in-a-lifetime exhibition features over 180 authentic Egyptian masterpieces, from colossal statues to intricately carved royal coffins, officially endorsed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.
Visitors can also ascend 109 meters to the top of the northwest chimney at The Chimney Lift experience, enjoying unparalleled 360-degree panoramic views of the London skyline and a perfect backdrop for unforgettable summer memories.
Tennis lovers are invited to soak up the magic of the world’s oldest Grand Slam tournament at The Wimbledon Experience, which is open at Battersea Power Station from 29th June – 12th July. Presented by The All England Lawn Tennis Club in association with Ocean Outdoor, The Wimbledon Experience will be open daily from 11am to 9pm throughout the Wimbledon Fortnight.
For the first time this year, The Wimbledon Experience is turned into a fan village, delivering an authentic taste of the Championships, recreating the look and feel of Wimbledon through floral displays, live scoreboards and traditional strawberries and cream, which have been served at the Championships for almost 150 years.
Rounding off summer is the return of celebrASIA, a free-to-attend festival celebrating South East Asian heritage and culture from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September. Delivered in partnership with the High Commissions and Embassies of the 11 ASEAN member countries, celebrASIA features delicious street food, live music, dance performances, national dress parades, an Artisan Market, the interactive ‘Grand Tour’ trail and family-friendly craft workshops. New additions for 2026 include expert panel sessions on fashion, food, literature and culture, cooking classes at Borough Kitchen, comedy sets, an expanded film series and a record line-up of more than 35 food and drink vendors.
A Wellness & Retail Reset
For those seeking rejuvenation during their travels, Battersea Power Station offers the ultimate wellness reset. The riverside destination provides a tranquil escape from the rest of central London, where GCC visitors can enjoy:
- Riverside Dining & Thames Walks: Stroll along the scenic riverfront Power Station Park before enjoying brunch or sunset cocktails at one of the many terraces overlooking the River Thames, including Wright Brothers, Fiume, Brindisa Tapas and Megan’s at the Power Station. Other foodie highlights include the UK’s first tashas, and the 24,000 sq ft Arcade Food Hall inside the Power Station offering 13 different international cuisines.
- Premium Fitness & Beauty: Re-energize at the state-of-the-art Heartcore pilates studio, enjoy a game of padel tennis at Rocket Padel, indulge in pampering at So. Shell nail and brow bar, or try a biohacking therapy treatment at Biowell.
- Unrivalled Retail Therapy: Shop across 170+ world-class brands including GCC favourites such as Alo Yoga, ZARA, Apple, Diptyque, Rolex, Jo Malone London, and many more.
The interior of the Art Deco Turbine Hall A inside the Power Station (Image credit: Charlie Round-Turner)
Unforgettable Family Moments
Battersea Power Station prides itself on being an inclusive, welcoming destination for GCC visitors of every age and taste. The neighbourhood is designed with families in mind, with low traffic, large open spaces including the six-acre Power Station Park, ensuring that children are just as entertained as adults.
Family-friendly highlights include:
- Hands-on play at the LEGO® store.
- Immersive fun with the world’s first-ever permanent Peppa Pig store, Macaroni Penguin soft play and drop-off weekend creche services at MEplace Nursery
- The charming Land Train that tours around the landmark and the Prospect Park playground.
- Diverse family dining options featuring familiar names and halal-friendly choices, including the beloved Dishoom, Roti King and Cinnamon Kitchen.
Beau Limbrick-Cassidy, Director of Communications at Battersea Power Station Development Company, said:
“London remains one of the most exciting cities to visit in the world, and we look forward to welcoming many tourists from the GCC over the summer. Over the past few years, we’ve seen how popular Battersea Power Station has been with Middle Eastern visitors who are seeking a curated experience which features the very best of British heritage and international culture. Whether it’s marveling at Ancient Egyptian artefacts at NEON’s exciting Rames & the Pharaohs’ Gold exhibition, shopping the latest summer collections, or enjoying a delicious meal by the river, Battersea Power Station is the definitive London destination for 2026.”
Travelling to Battersea Power Station could not be easier with the Zone 1 Battersea Power Station Underground station bringing the riverside neighbourhood within 15 minutes of the West End and the City. Battersea Power Station also has its very own Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier and is a 15-minute journey from Embankment, 20 minutes from Blackfriars, 30 minutes from Putney and 40 minutes from Canary Wharf. The riverside neighbourhood is easily accessible by taxi, bike, car and train too.
For more information about Battersea Power Station, please visit www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk and follow @BatterseaPwrStn to keep up to date with the latest news and events.
