I had plans to play tennis at Battersea Park today so I strolled down Sloane Street from Sloane Square and across Chelsea Bridge. We were so lucky with the weather – the sun has been shining and there hasn’t been a cloud in the sky all day! I was lucky to catch some great views of the Thames and Albert Bridge with the moon still high in the sky.
The Albert Bridge, once nicknamed “The Trembling Lady” because of its tendency to vibrate when large number of people walk over it, connects Chelsea on the north bank of the Thames and Battersea on the south bank. It was built in 1873 and has some of the only surviving examples of bridge tollbooths in London. At night it is illuminated by 4,000 bulbs, making it one of London’s most beautiful landmarks.
We arrived at the Battersea Park Millenium Arena which boasts twelve tennis courts, an athletics track, netball courts and 2 well-lit astroturf football pitches. Membership (approx. £40 p/year I’m told) is required to book the tennis courts over the phone but pay and play is possible.
I hadn’t been to Battersea Park in ages and I’d forgotten what a gorgeous park it is, full of wide open green spaces, a pond for boating and shady tree-lined paths dappled in sunshine.
After tennis we handed over our court and headed off for a good old pub lunch at the Prince Albert, a lovely pub with a fantastic outdoor space which is always a plus in London if you can get a spot outside! The food was nice, although nothing to write home about, but the ambiance was fun and relaxed, the service friendly and there were lots of dogs!
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