Nestled against the banks of the River Thames, Battersea and Nine Elms is easily one of the most vibrant places to live in South London these days. From high-profile new shopping and entertainment developments to an ever-growing community of locals, it’s almost impossible to have a dull day in Battersea – and that’s one of the reasons why we chose to open our Bloom Nine Elms apartments right in the heart of the area.

But if you’re planning on making Battersea and Nine Elms your home, you need to know what you’ve got waiting for you outside your apartment door – where to find delicious food and the best drink, and where to unwind with your friends after a hard day at work.

To Londoners, Battersea has plenty of attractions – beautiful green spaces like Battersea Park, comedy delights at the Battersea Arts Centre, or the shopping, food and drinks at Battersea Power Station, for example. But everyone knows about those. What about the hidden gems, the places true locals say you have to visit while you’re in town?

If you’re the kind of city explorer who loves to uncover local secrets, read on for the best things to do in Nine Elms and Battersea.

1. Augustine Kitchen

Whether it’s for a special occasion, a date night or you just fancy treating yourself, there’s often nothing better than heading out for an exceptional meal.

Augustine Kitchen, just west of Battersea Park on Battersea Bridge Road, is exactly that. Start by picturing an intimate candlelit bistro, with lush green plants cascading from cabinet tops and hanging baskets. Mix in a handpicked menu of authentic French cuisine – Reblochon tarte, escargots with garlic mousse and parsley butter, pike quenelles caught fresh and supplied by a fourth generation French fisherman.

And to finish, sprinkle in the wholesome family story of Franck Raymond, the restaurant’s owner and head chef, who named Augustine Kitchen after his grandmother and is devoted to the produce and cuisine of the Évian-les-Bains region he grew up in.

The result? One magical meal right on your doorstep, and a new favourite foodie haunt you’ll just have to keep going back to.

2. The Magic Garden

If you’re a fan of pub visits, you’re in luck – London is home to more than 3,500 pubs. But even with that many to choose from, we feel pretty confident in saying you won’t find any quite like the Magic Garden on Battersea Park Road.

Visiting the Magic Garden is one of the best things to do in Battersea. It bills itself as a festival in a pub, and it’s easy to see why. From the regular schedule of live jazz, blues and world music to the garden brimming with fairy lights, trees and cosy blanket nooks, this pub feels like a portal to Glastonbury has opened just outside Battersea Park tube station.

And if you prefer a cosier vibe, the Magic Garden has you covered too, with coffees, newspapers and armchairs ready for working waiting for you on weekdays, and board games brought out on Sundays.

3.The Cinema in the Arches

Battersea Power Station is one of the biggest reasons to visit Battersea, but locals know it’s not the only attraction in the neighbourhood. Tucked away on nearby Arches Lane, the Cinema in the Arches is about as different from your everyday cinema as the Magic Garden is from other pubs.

Instead of the usual assortment of sweets and sticky carpets, the Cinema in the Arches offers an intimate way to see the latest releases and catch up on acclaimed award-winners. Sink into plush reclining seats, enjoy homemade popcorn and pick from a menu of wines and cocktails – all with individual brass tables attached to each seat, so no one has to fight over which cupholder is whose.

And when the film is over? Simply head next door to the Battersea Brewery, where their beers are pumped directly from the brewery to the taproom. So whether you want to meet your friends there for a pint before heading to the film or sit down after to discuss what you just watched, the Battersea railway arches are really two hidden gems in one.

4. DNA VR

While we’re talking about Battersea’s iconic railway arches, let’s highlight another hidden gem tucked in beneath them.

DNA VR is a virtual reality gaming space designed to take you and your friends on the ultimate immersive experience – heading to bold new worlds and pitting you against dragons, pirates, mad scientists and more. From multiplayer games and VR escape rooms to a unique Free-Roaming Experience, DNA VR has everything to help you escape the real world for a few hours and feel like the ultimate hero.

What's more, it's only a few minutes' walk from Battersea Power Station, so once you're done living out your VR gaming dreams, you've got plenty of drink and delicious food options nearby.

5. Battersea Barge

One of the best things about living in Battersea and Nine Elms is easily the riverside walks. But what if you want to take in the best views of the Thames while also sitting down with a draught beer and a hand-stretched pizza?

Well in that case, you want the Battersea Barge. Moored on the Thames less than 10 minutes away from Battersea Park tube station, the Battersea Barge has three spacious decks combining open terraces for enjoying a drink and dinner in the sun, a lower deck stage for regular music and cabaret events, and a private deck you can hire out for parties and events.

For all you pet-lovers who want a pitstop after a long dog walk, the Battersea Barge is also fully dog-friendly, and is open to walk-ons as well as reservations.

With great food, great drinks and gorgeous riverside views, here’s how to spend a day in Battersea in style.

Bloom Nine Elms – premium Battersea accommodation in the heart of it all

With so much going on around you in Battersea and Nine Elms, you need an apartment that matches – not just a place to lay your head at the end of the day, but a true city sanctuary that nails the dream home vibe.

Bloom Nine Elms is located right in the heart of Battersea and Nine Elms, just a few minutes away from the Northern Line at Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms tube stations, and a stone’s throw from all of the area’s hidden gems.

From flexibly furnished studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments to a whole suite of bar, pool, and state of the art gym and spa spaces, Bloom Nine Elms has everything you need to make your dream Zone 1 London lifestyle a reality.

If you’re looking for a central London base in the heart of Battersea’s thriving community, take a look at what Bloom Nine Elms has to offer.