Saturday April 18th 2026 – 11:00am – 3.30pm
Led by Jia You and Laura Jackson
In April, we head to South West London to explore Springtime in Battersea Park.
Established in 1858, this historic 200-acre public park stretches along the south bank of the River Thames, and is home to the Peace Pagoda, a gift from the Japanese Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order in 1985 designed to promote peace and harmony. Situated right on the riverside promenade, the Pagoda enjoys commanding views of the Thames.
Known for this riverside setting, Victorian landscape design, and expansive gardens and lakes, Battersea Park remains one of London’s most significant green spaces and offers a rich variety of sketching subjects.
With a bit of seasonal luck, we may even catch the cherry blossoms in bloom along Cherry Tree Avenue.
Key times and meeting points for the day:
11am – We will meet at Battersea Park Bandstand.
Battersea Park Rd, London SW11 4NJ
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yiUaUfnUyQc4Cfzu9
https://w3w.co/loops.motion.hogs
1pm – Back to the Bandstand to look at everyone’s work. We’ll also take a group photo.
3.30pm – Meet at the same place for the second sketchbook throwdown and group photo.
Afterwards -The Pear Tree Cafe (until 5pm), and then the Mason’s Arms – right next to Battersea Park Station (169 Battersea Park Rd) http://www.masons-arms-Battersea.co.uk
Sketching Opportunities
Practical Information
Getting There:
Travel:
Nearest train stations – Battersea Park (Southern/Windrush Line) and Queenstown Rd (SW trains)
Nearest tube stations – Battersea Power Station (Northern Line) Plus Sloane Square / Victoria both walkable from North of the river.
Various buses – http://www.tfl.gov.uk
Bike – there is a bike storage near Battersea Power Station. Bike Storage – Map Link
Car Parks – there are 3 pay/display car parks within Battersea Park near the Chelsea, Rosery, and Albert Bridge Gate
Toilets:
The nearest to the Peace Pagoda are located next to the zoo (Pierpoint Toilets).
There are additional public toilets next to the Fountains and close to Sun Gate (Beechmore Toilets).
There are additional facilities at Battersea Power Station.
Refreshments – there are a number of places where food and drink are sold in the park including The Pear Tree Café – http://www.peartreecafe.co.uk and Sendero Speciality Coffee plus multiple cafes and restaurants at Battersea Power Station.
I recently moved to London and used to belong to Newport urban sketchers. I look forward to joining you soon. Unfortunately I can’t make the April meet.