London, Baby!

This weekend I headed to London to spend some time with The Presenter Studio, run by two fantastic, talented TV producers Gareth and Leon. It was a really packed schedule, but I fit in a little time to explore the area while I was there.

The studios were in Clapham, just a few minutes walk from the funky Clapham High Street and the beautiful Common. We did a bit of filming on the green and before visiting I had no idea how big and open it was and so full of life. I was interested to find out some more about the history of how it came about. As the name suggests, it was originally common land between Battersea and Clapham before it became a park. It is surrounded by some truly gorgeous houses and buildings with varied architecture, some of which make up Clapham ‘Old Town’.

I stayed just south of the river right next to Battersea Power Station, which is currently being converted into flats and the four iconic chimneys being completely rebuilt. Interestingly, the site actually consists of two power stations- both identical creating the four chimney layout, with one built in the 1930’s and the other in the 50’s. It is Grade II* listed and apparently the largest brick building in Europe!

As I was staying right next to the Chelsea Road Bridge, I also had the chance to wander into Chelsea and Sloane Square one evening and saw some great street art, the building where Jerome K Jerome wrote Three Men in a Boat, and the River Thames and its bridges at night- a really special sight.

As ever, three days is never enough in London and I can’t wait to return