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Car Hire Battersea
All you need to know about hiring a car in Battersea
Question: what’s home to a famous power station, animal rehoming centre and exciting arts venue?
Answer: Battersea! This famous London borough, found in Wandsworth, has a lot to offer – whether you’re visiting for the day, staying with family and friends or just passing through. Today, we’ll share why Battersea is a great location for hiring a car in the UK, with so much to see, do and enjoy.
To kick off, the sights Battersea is most known for are Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Battersea Power Station and Battersea Arts Centre. But there’s also plenty of greenery to enjoy in Battersea Park, home to over 200 acres of land. Featuring a zoo, sports areas, playgrounds and the picturesque Thames River, it’s a haven in the middle of one of Europe’s most visited cities. You’ll also find the Pump House gallery here for a spot of culture, so if you’re hiring a car in Battersea, do check if any shows, films or exhibitions are on while you’re here.
If being active is more your thing, try Go Ape and Adventure Zone. They’re fun for all the family – and easy to get to when you hire a car in Battersea. For entertainment, look no further than the Battersea Barge – whether it’s putting on the ritz with cabaret or tickling your funny bone with rip-roaring comedy. The barge is a ‘floating wonderland’ and a unique venue loved by tourists. And if you’re seeking out food and drink, wander under the railway arches (Battersea houses the bustling Clapham Junction and is a well-connected rail hub) and stop by the Battersea Brewery for a quick pint, followed by a lip-smacking meal at Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza venue.
From hen and stag dos to family outings and trips with your partner, you really can’t go wrong in this buzzing London borough. But, you’ll definitely need a way to get around – and that’s where hiring a car in Battersea comes in.
Driving zones
Before you get behind the wheel, take note – like much of the big smoke, Wandsworth has a
strict 20mph limit in residential areas and on classified roads. The 20mph scheme aims to make the city’s streets safer, and residents supported the measures – which include humps, narrow strips of road and traffic calming solutions. Check speed limits in advance if you can, and consider using a GPS system, which can sometimes alert you to changing speeds.
Road links
The Battersea and Albert bridges serve the area, but as with much of London, commuting times can lead to rush hour back-ups and slower journey times. There’s also Wandsworth Bridge, but if that’s closed – as is often the case – it can add even more time to your travel.
Luckily, Battersea is well-connected with A roads and there are excellent rail and underground links across London, if a ‘park and ride’ style of travel is more your thing. You can always tune into local radio stations like BBC London 94.9 and Capital FM London 95.8 to see what conditions are like before you leave, and we’d also recommend The AA website.
Events and attractions
Here’s a quick round-up of some of the things you might want to see and do when you hire a car in Battersea:
- Visit the Battersea Barge for a comedy or music night
- Take in the beautiful works on display at the Battersea Arts Centre
- Travel to larger venues, like the O2, Brixton Academy and Royal Albert Hall
- Visit nearby theme parks like SEA LIFE, Thorpe Park and Legoland Windsor
However you choose to spend your time, check parking in advance. Space is at a premium in the capital, and it’s not always possible to park on the streets. While most major venues have parking, you may need to pay and even book before you travel.
Airport parking, pick-up and drop-off
With countless airports, London can connect you to pretty much any global city in a matter of hours. These include Gatwick, Heathrow, City, Stansted, Luton and Southend. If you do decide to visit an airport, bear in mind:
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Whether you’re planning a short or long stay, and where the drop-off and pick-up zones are
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Any tolls and charges – both on the way, and when you arrive
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Booking and cancellation policies at the airport
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Early booking for guaranteed spaces
Tolls and charges
On the subject of these, here are a few London areas that might cost you to travel through:
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Dartford Crossing: You’ll pay a charge if you use it between 6am-10pm. A Dart Charge account can give you cheaper crossing and some drivers may be exempt, so check this first. Payment can be made online and through a Payzone store.
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Congestion Charge: Currently set at £15 and only applicable some of the time, check the details here.
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ULEZ and LEZ: These are based on the area of travel and your vehicle type. You can make a payment here and check advice on the TfL website.
Other help
The team at Nationwide are here to help you with hiring a car in Battersea and exploring all it has to offer. Get in touch to find out more – and enjoy benefits like unlimited mileage and hire car discounts.