The local area
Montevetro resides in an area with a wealth of things to do and places to see, as well as a rich history and heritage right on its doorstep.
When you think of Battersea images of the iconic power station, and the famous Battersea Dogs and Cats Home spring to mind, but if you look deeper you find an incredibly rich history which continues to shape life on this part of the river. For example, did you know that Battersea Dogs and Cats Home is over 150 years old, and that not only did Charles Dickens write an article in support of it, he also frequented a rather bawdy drinking house called the Red House Tavern which used to stand on part of the site now occupied by Battersea Power Station?
For todays inhabitants of Battersea, they are surrounded by art galleries, museums, restaurants, shops, and more, but the link with the past remains strong, and you will find just a small sample on this page of places which are both very much a part of today, and a part of our history.
Battersea Square
The beautifully cobbled Battersea Square is home to a collection of local cafe’s, eateries and exceptional restaurants. The square is a community hub, where people come to meet and dine alfresco. Once the heart of village life during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the square has been put back on the map by a regeneration scheme by Wandsworth Council.
To learn more about Battersea Square why not visit the Friends of Battersea Square website at www.batterseasquare.org.uk.
Battersea Park
Battersea Park was opened in 1858, and is a much loved feature of life in Chelsea and Battersea. Standing on the south bank of the Thames it occupies a 200 acre site, and has a long and interesting history. It is now home to a small children's zoo, boating lake, a bandstand, and several all-weather outdoor sporting facilities including tennis courts, a running track, and football pitches. Prior to the land being acquired to become a park the area was known as Battersea fields, and was once a popular spot for duelling with the Duke of Wellington being counted amongst those who used it for that very purpose.
If you want to learn more about Battersea Park, its attractions, and its history, then visit the Friends of Battersea Park website www.batterseapark.org, and the Wikipedia entry on the park which can be found here.
The King’s Road
Think of the King’s Road and images immediately come to mind of 1960’s fashion, hippies, and the counterculture of the 1970’s that was punk, but it’s history goes back a lot further, and until 1830 it was a private royal road dating all the way back to King Charles II who used it when travelling to Kew. In the 19th century, Chelsea was a riverside haven for thinkers, explorers and painters with Bertrand Russell, Turner and Captain Scott being residents. From King Charles’ to Turner to Mary Quant and the Sex Pistols, The King’s Road has long be known as a hub of culture and creativity. Nowadays it is one of London's most fashionable cultural destinations, with independent and designer shops, world class museums and restaurants.
St Mary’s Church
St Mary’s Church is a beautiful Grade 1 listed Georgian building set on the banks of the River Thames. The church has a long and interesting history, and has had associations with many famous people over the years. For example: William Blake was married there, Joseph Turner painted in its grounds, and Benedict Arnold is buried in its crypt.
It was around the year 800 AD when a church first occupied the site on which St Mary’s stands today, with the current building being completed in 1777. Despite the passing of time St Mary’s is as vibrant and special today as it has always been, and is still very much an active and vital part of the local community. For those who want to learn more about the church, or who wish to attend services and/or special events, or who wish to participate in the life of the church, its website can be found here.
Getting Around
However you want to travel, and wherever you want to go, the location of the Montevetro building makes it easy to get around. Clapham Junction and Victoria Station are close by, as are South Kensington and Sloane Square Tube Stations. Taxis are plentiful, and buses can take you into the heart of London, to the Westfield Shopping Centre, or out to Wimbledon, Richmond, or even beyond. Should you want a more scenic or leisurely trip into the City, River Taxis also serve the Battersea stretch of the Thames, and can be caught from Cadogan Pier by Battersea Bridge. For those who prefer to drive the A3, M3, and M4 can all be reached with ease, and the M40 and M1 are also within striking distance. Should you need ready access to an airport then Heathrow is only 35 minutes away by car, and as Montevetro is south of the river, Gatwick is only an hour away.
To find out more about public transport in Battersea and London, the Transport for London website can be found here.