Battersea Power Station is a pleasing to the eye at the best of times, but while embellished with light installations, it’s not to be missed.

The Light Festival is brightening up dark winter evenings until March 5, 2023, and I was lucky enough to go and visit last weekend.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Neighbourhood by Sergey Kim (credit: Brendan Bell)Neighbourhood by Sergey Kim (credit: Brendan Bell) (Image: Brendan Bell)

There are eight pieces of artwork, curated in partnership with Light Art Collection, and they are on display both inside and out at the iconic Grade II* listed building.

There are installations from artists such as Atelier Haute Cuisine who have enlarged and illuminated an everyday object, a bath plug, to encourage people to consider the importance of clean water, society’s consumption and reducing how much water is wasted ‘going down the drain’.

@immyshare The Battersea Power Station Light Festival is stunning 😍😍😍 #batterseapowerstation #lightfestival #foodmarket #london #londonthingstodo #londondatenight #pressinvite #londonlights #london2023 @Sophie Lawrence ♬ This - Megan McKenna

Another artist enlarging objects is UK based Studio Vertigo, using the nostalgic toy Slinky with the intention to see a city in a new playful way.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Eternal Sundown by Mads Vegas (credit: Backdrop Productions)Eternal Sundown by Mads Vegas (credit: Backdrop Productions) (Image: Backdrop Productions)

Behind the power station, there’s a path to walk along which is lit up in rainbow colours.

To have the River Thames on one side, the illuminated Power Station on the other, and the sky-risers of London lit up in front of you is something quite special.

It’s peaceful, mesmerising, and it’s hard to believe that something so iconic is almost on our doorsteps.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Moonburn by Stitching Barstow (credit: Backdrop Productions)Moonburn by Stitching Barstow (credit: Backdrop Productions) (Image: Backdrop Productions)

There are restaurants and bars already at Battersea Power Station, such as Where the Pancakes Are, Le Bab, Clean Kitchen, Megan’s, Fiume, Wright Brothers, Tapas Brindisa, Tonkotsu, Cinnamon Kitchen and Gordon Ramsay Bread Street Kitchen and Bar or Street Pizza.

But with the Light Festival, some food huts and trucks have joined too.

These are WOW.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: End Over End by Studio Vertigo (credit: Backdrop Productions)End Over End by Studio Vertigo (credit: Backdrop Productions) (Image: Backdrop Productions)

There’s Cheese King, Chipsy, Fondue Power, Queen of Crepes, Roti King and Simply Hog Roast.

I fancied a crepe, and got one absolutely covered in chocolate.

It was divine and was the perfect sweet treat to warm me up after looking at the stunning lights.

I really think Battersea Power Station is London’s next best thing at the moment – a place to shop, eat, drink, play activities and look at some really quite beautiful sights.