Description
Battersea Park is a Victorian park of about 80 hectares on the south bank of the Thames, facing Chelsea between Albert Bridge and Chelsea Bridge: lawns, sports fields, woodland walks and a Buddhist pagoda by the river.
The best-known sight is the Peace Pagoda, raised in 1985 on the riverside, with four scenes of the Buddha's life. Around the park are a boating lake, a small children's zoo, the Pump House Gallery in a four-story Victorian tower, and a replica of the Brown Dog statue, from London's old quarrel over vivisection.
Before the park opened in 1858, this was Battersea Fields, marshland of market gardens and a favorite spot for duels. In 1829 the Duke of Wellington, then prime minister, fought one here with the Earl of Winchilsea: the Duke fired wide, the Earl into the air.
In 1864 the park hosted the first exhibition football match played under the Football Association's rules.
The best-known sight is the Peace Pagoda, raised in 1985 on the riverside, with four scenes of the Buddha's life. Around the park are a boating lake, a small children's zoo, the Pump House Gallery in a four-story Victorian tower, and a replica of the Brown Dog statue, from London's old quarrel over vivisection.
Before the park opened in 1858, this was Battersea Fields, marshland of market gardens and a favorite spot for duels. In 1829 the Duke of Wellington, then prime minister, fought one here with the Earl of Winchilsea: the Duke fired wide, the Earl into the air.
In 1864 the park hosted the first exhibition football match played under the Football Association's rules.