Battersea, District in South London, England
Battersea is a district in South London that runs along the south bank of the Thames for roughly four miles southwest of the city centre. The area contains residential neighborhoods, green spaces, and former factory buildings that have been converted in recent years to new uses.
The area evolved from farmland recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book as Patricesy into an industrial hub during the 19th century. In recent decades, many factories closed and their buildings were turned into housing, offices, and cultural venues.
The area takes its name from one of Britain's oldest dog and cat rescue centres, which has been taking in animals since 1860 and still welcomes visitors on a daily basis. Local residents walk regularly along the riverside promenade, while street markets and small shops thread through residential neighborhoods, giving everyday life a neighborly feel.
The district can be reached via three railway stations, including Clapham Junction and the Northern Line stop at the power station site. Visitors can walk along the riverside or cross through the large park that stretches between residential streets and the Thames waterfront.
The large park houses a Buddhist peace pagoda erected in 1985, one of only two such structures in England. The monument stands directly on the Thames waterfront and visitors can view it daily free of charge.
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