Chimneys rarely carry you by glass lift. Lift 109 sends you 109 meters up Battersea Power Station, with an Art Deco history stop and hands-on energy play before you step into the glass elevator.

I especially like the mix of power-station history and interactive light and energy exhibits, and I like how the route builds up to the view instead of feeling like a straight ticket line. The staff I heard named Sammy in the lift also sound like they know how to keep the mood calm and fun.

One thing to plan for is the top portion can feel brief, and the experience includes 39 stairs unless you reserve a step-free wheelchair lift.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Art Deco Turbine Hall A start, with a focused history walk before you move upward
• Multiplayer energy touchscreen where your group helps power the lights
• Infinity Room with a timed countdown and touch-reactive light particles
• Lift 109 glass elevator, guided by constellations of light during the ascent
• Top-floor 360-degree London views, plus a bird’s-eye view of the Power Station
• Short time at the top, so be ready to take photos efficiently

Battersea Power Station’s Lift 109, and why it feels different

Lift 109 is a viewpoint experience, but it is built like a short story. You do not just get a window and a ticket. You get a tour of this landmark’s Art Deco interior, then you get playful, science-flavored interaction before the climb.

What makes it appealing is the flow. The experience starts down on the ground with lighting and multimedia, then the building becomes part of the show as you move higher. Finally, you pop out above the chimneys for a proper 360-degree London skyline moment.

And yes, it is a lift inside a chimney, which already sounds like a gimmick. But the staging makes it feel like you are traveling through the power station’s past and present in one hour.

Your hour-long route, from Turbine Hall A to the 109-meter platform

Here is the typical path, and what to expect at each stop.

1) Turbine Hall A, where the building tells its story

Your Lift 109 journey begins in the Power Station’s Art Deco Turbine Hall A. This is where you start with original records and media displays that explain what the power station was, how it worked, and how the site has reinvented itself over time.

I like this part because it gives context fast. If you only think of Battersea as a modern shopping and leisure space, this stop reanchors it as a serious industrial site.

Expect to spend some time in this earlier area before you’re called toward the next steps.

2) Interactive energy play, where your group powers the lights

Next comes the hands-on portion. There is a lighting installation where lights whirl and glow as visitors interact with a giant multiplayer touchscreen. The idea is simple: everyone contributes, and the light show responds.

This is one of the most praised parts because it turns waiting time into something purposeful. It also helps you reset your energy before the more vertical moment later.

3) The Infinity Room, with a countdown and touch-reacting visuals

After that, you step into the Infinity Room. A dramatic countdown signals what comes next, and the visuals react as energy particles swirl, rise, and fall around you based on your touch.

Think of it as a sensory transition. You are going from history and group interaction into the ascent itself. If you like visual storytelling, this is where the experience stops feeling like just another ticketed attraction.

4) The express lift, then Lift 109 in the chimney

After the Infinity Room, an express lift takes you to the base of the north-west chimney. Then you board London’s glass elevator, Lift 109.

As you rise, constellations of light guide the ascent. The climb is part ride, part show, and it is designed so you feel like you are traveling upward in a themed way, not just squeezing into a standard lift.

5) The viewing platform, for skyline photos and chimney selfies

At the top, you get a bird’s-eye view of the Power Station itself, plus the world-famous landmarks of London in all directions. The view is what you came for, and it tends to be the highlight in the feedback.

Weather matters. On sunny or clear days, the far landmarks can look crisp. On wet or murky days, you still get the shape of London, but the distance can soften. Either way, the moment is memorable because you are so high above the iconic structure.

One practical note: your time at the top can feel fairly short. Some people describe it as around a few minutes, which means you should treat it like a photo sprint rather than a long balcony hangout.

The 109-meter ride: what it feels like, and how to enjoy the views

The headline is simple: 109 meters above the ground. But the experience is not only about height. It is about view timing and how the platform is organized for photos.

Here is how I’d play it smart:

• If the day looks clear, prioritize wide skyline shots first. Then do close-ups of the Power Station details.
• If the day is gloomy, focus on the Power Station and nearer landmarks. You will still get the dramatic height and angles even with reduced visibility.
• Keep your camera ready during the ascent. The guidance lighting and the glass elevator atmosphere are often what makes the ride feel special, even before you reach the platform.

Mobility and nerves are also worth talking about. One reviewer said it worked well for someone who is cautious with heights, because you are enclosed in the lift most of the time. The big exposure point is really the transition to the top platform.

Price and value: $22 for a full hour, not just a viewpoint

At about $22 per person for an experience listed at 1 hour, the value comes from what you get before the ascent.

You are not paying only for a view. You’re paying for:

• the history walk in Turbine Hall A
• interactive energy screens
• the Infinity Room countdown and touch-reactive visuals
• the glass elevator climb and the final skyline platform

If you compare it to viewpoint tickets that feel like a straight ride with minimal staging, Lift 109 typically feels more like a short attraction you can finish in one go.

Food and drink are not included, so if you plan to make a full outing of Battersea, you will want to budget separately for snacks or meals on site. If you want to keep costs tight, use the view moment as your core activity and then browse nearby shops or grab something after.

Getting there and avoiding stress inside the Power Station

Battersea Power Station is not hard to reach once you arrive at the complex. One helpful detail from the experience info and feedback is that there is an underground entrance within the complex, followed by a short walk to the attraction area.

Inside, the main thing is to get your bearings early. Some people found the reporting point unclear at first, so I recommend arriving a bit ahead of your time slot and following staff directions once you’re inside the Power Station.

Also plan for bag handling. There is no cloakroom at Lift 109, so bring only what you can carry comfortably. The guidance says a handbag or small rucksack around A4 size (210 x 297 mm) is the limit.

That means no big camera backpacks, no shopping bags piled up, and no bulky luggage.

Mobility and bag rules: the practical stuff that can make or break your day

This is a straightforward experience, but the rules are specific. Make sure your group fits them.

What is not allowed

The experience does not allow:

• Baby strollers
• Luggage or large bags
• Bikes
• Unaccompanied minors
• Scooters

Strollers have an exception only in The Gallery space, but they cannot be brought into the Lift.

The stairs count, and the step-free route

You should plan for stairs. There are 39 stairs to climb up and down during the experience.

If you need a step-free route, you must reserve the wheelchair lift, which runs on the hour and on the half-hour. Importantly, you need the wheelchair lift reservation to match the time on your entry ticket.

The maximum wheelchair size accommodated is 115 cm by 65 cm.

Infants and tickets

Infants 2 years old and under can enter free of charge and do not require a ticket.

Weather expectations: what changes when London is cloudy or rainy

London weather can be a drama queen. The good news is the experience still works even when visibility is poor.

If it’s wet or overcast, expect fewer distant landmarks and slightly softer details in the far skyline. But you can still see the Power Station clearly from above, and the ride and exhibits still do their job indoors.

If you have a flexible schedule, a clear day is best for maximum distance views. If your dates are fixed, don’t skip it. The unique “chimney lift” experience is the point, and the interactive parts are indoors.

Who Lift 109 is best for, and who might want a different plan

Lift 109 works especially well if you want:

• a short, one-hour attraction
• a viewpoint with storytelling and interactive elements
• a fun option for a range of ages

It is also a strong pick for anyone who likes photography, because the viewing platform gives you multiple angles at once. And the vibe sounds guided and friendly, with staff humor and explanations adding to the atmosphere.

It might be less ideal if:

• you hate stairs and do not have the wheelchair lift reservation
• you need to bring large bags, luggage, or a stroller into the Lift area
• you want a long, slow time at the top platform (the top portion can feel quick)

If you are visiting with a group and want everyone to do something active, the multiplayer energy touchscreen and Infinity Room interaction can be a great equalizer. Everyone gets to contribute.

Should you book Lift 109 at Battersea Power Station?

Yes, if you want a one-hour London highlight that feels more like an attraction than a simple viewpoint ticket. The strongest reasons to book are the interactive energy rooms, the atmosphere of the glass Lift 109 ascent, and that 360-degree view from the chimney.

I’d skip or rethink it if your plans depend on a step-free route you did not reserve in advance, or if you cannot follow the bag and stroller rules. Also, if you expect a long time at the top, adjust your expectations and plan to photograph fast.

If you do book, bring only what fits a small personal bag, arrive a little early to find your check-in spot, and aim for clear visibility if you can. Either way, this is one of those London experiences where the ride is part of the reward, not just a method of reaching the view.

FAQ

How long does Lift 109 take?

The experience is listed as lasting 1 hour, and you can check available starting times.

How much is the ticket?

The price is $22 per person.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drink are not included.

Can I bring a stroller, luggage, or a large bag?

Baby strollers are not allowed, and luggage or large bags are not allowed. Strollers are only permitted in The Gallery space, not into the Lift. There is also no cloakroom, so you should bring a handbag or small rucksack about A4 size.

Are there stairs, and do you offer step-free access?

Yes. There are 39 stairs to climb up and down. If you need a step-free route, you can reserve a wheelchair lift available on the hour and on the half-hour, and your wheelchair lift reservation time must match your entry ticket time. The maximum wheelchair size accommodated is 115 cm by 65 cm.

Are kids allowed, and do infants need a ticket?

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