From the Mall, Southern Entrance/Exit, follow signs to Victoria Rail and Coach station. This walk starts just by Victoria Railway station, at the Apollo Theatre.
[1] With your back to the Apollo Theatre, walk south west towards Grosvenor Gardens (A), a patch of greenery sitting in a triangle between Buckingham Palace Road and Grosvenor Gardens Road. Turn left onto Buckingham Palace Road and continue along this road for approximately ten minutes, passing The Thistle Hotel and the Colonnade Walk on your left.
(A) Grosvenor Gardens was laid out in the 1860s by Thomas Cundy III and comprises tall, grand 19th century terraces, flamboyantly detailed in Renaissance style. There are three small mews at the rear of the terraces. Between the terraces are two triangular gardens containing mature trees and shade for weary tourists.
[2] After continuing to walk straight down Buckingham Palace road there will be a cross road junction at Eccleston Street. With care, cross the road and remain walking along Buckingham Palace Road. Note that the road forks in several directions and be sure to remain on Buckingham Palace Road.
[3] Remaining on Buckingham Palace Road, reaching another cross road junction meeting with Elizabeth Bridge continue over and along Buckingham Palace Road.
[4] Eventually Buckingham Palace Road will merge into Ebury Bridge Road. Remain on this until you reach the T junction where Ebury Bridge Road meets with Chelsea Bridge Road. At the traffic lights turn left onto Chelsea Bridge Road.
[5] Continue on Chelsea Bridge Road past Lister Hospital on your left. When reaching the corner of Chelsea Bridge Road use the controlled crossings to cross Gosvenor Road. Please note that cars come down these roads very quickly so it is advisable to use the controlled crossings and stay alert.
[6] Continue over Chelsea Bridge pausing to see the fantastic view of the Battersea House Power station (B) and also down along the Thames in both directions.
(B) Battersea Power Station was built in two stages during the 1930s and 1950s. This coal-fired power station is now a Grade II listed building and one of London's best known landmarks. It is the largest brick building in Europe and is notable for its original and lavish Art Deco interior fittings and decor. It ceased generating electricity in 1983 since when it has the subject of numerous development proposals, none of which have yet reached fruition. Meanwhile the structure is seriously deteriorating and its future the topic of much debate.
[7] Once over the bridge you will now be in the London borough of Wandsworth. To your right there will be an entrance into Battersea Park (C). Cross Queenstown Road and head along the Riverside Promenade with the river on your right.
(C) Battersea Park was opened to the public in 1854 in recognition of the need to provide green open spaces in a London that was becoming increasingly populated and overcrowded. It was the first park in London established as a public park (previous parks were Royal Parks). The park still retains its original layout of a perimeter carriage drive, trees and shrubberies, avenues, winding walks and a serpentine lake. It was noted for its horticultural displays, and now includes children's play areas, sports facilities, a nature reserve, boating lake and refreshment facilities. In 1951 the Festival Gardens were laid out for the Festival of Britain. Many of the park's 19th and early 20th century features have recently been restored, funded principally through a grant awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund in 1998, the work being completed in 2004. Ducks and geese, herons, cormorants and grebe can be seen on the lake.
[8] Continue along the Riverside Promenade passing the Peace Pagoda (D) bearing left where you will meet the Carriage Drive North. Turn right and after a short walk along Carriage Drive North make a left onto Carriage Drive West. This road runs parallel to Albert Bridge Road (E).
(D) The London Peace Pagoda : was built in 1985 and was created by the Nipponzan Myohoji Order of Japanese Buddhist monks with assistance from the Greater London Council to celebrate the GLC Year of Peace. The Pagoda is one of many around the world dedicated to the promotion of world peace and was the seventieth such pagoda to be completed. The first were built in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The original driver for these was Nichidatsu Fujii (1885-1985) the founder of the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order. He had met and been inspired by Mahatma Gandhi in 1931, and in 1947 began instructing his followers to erect Peace Pagodas to promote peace throughout the world. The Pagoda is still looked after by a Buddhist Monk.
(E) Albert Bridge is a Grade II listed road bridge. The bridge was designed and built by Rowland Mason Ordish and opened in 1873. Over the years major modifications have been instigated in order to strengthen the structure, resulting in an unusual hybrid of three different design styles. Originally a toll bridge, it has the only surviving examples of bridge tollbooths in London.
[9] Continue along, bearing left where eventually the road will meet Carriage Drive South. Please note that at this point you will need to turn right and take the one path heading out of Battersea Park. There will be toilets near the exit. Head out of the park using the Sun Gate.
[10] Here you will need to cross first the Prince of Wales Drive and then Albert Bridge Road. Please use the controlled crossings.
[11] Once safely across these roads head onto Cambridge Road. Remain on this road following it slightly left as it turns into Battersea Bridge Road. Turn right onto Battersea Park Road.
[12] Continue along Battersea Park Road until it meets with York Road. Here you will need to turn left onto Falcon Road.
[13] Continue along Falcon Road until eventually you see The Peacock Bar at which point turn right onto Grant Road. To make any return journey's using Clapham Junction you can follow the marked path across the pedestrianised square heading in towards Clapham Junction station via platforms 1 & 2.