Things you didn't know about... Battersea

Battersea powers into number one spot
The iconic Battersea Power Station, built between 1929 and 1939, is one of Britain's most recognisable landmarks, and is also claimed to be the largest brick building in Europe. Architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott also designed the red telephone box, Liverpool Cathedral, and another power station on the south side of the Thames in London—Bankside, now better known as Tate Modern. Battersea Power Station famously appeared—complete with flying pigs—on the cover of Pink Floyd's 1977 album, Animals.

Battersea doesn't have a dogs' home
Battersea Dogs Home (now Battersea Dogs & Cats Home) was established in Holloway, north London, in 1860 and moved to its present home in 1871. Despite the name, it is not actually in Battersea but neighbouring Nine Elms. Scottish comedian Chic Murray told a joke about being stopped by someone in London, who said, "Excuse me, do you know the Battersea Dogs Home?" Murray replied, "Actually, I never knew it had been away."

... but Battersea did have another dog
In 1904 the National Anti-Vivisection Society erected a drinking fountain in Battersea's Latchmere Park. On top of the fountain sat a statue of a brown dog supposedly killed by vivisection. It became the scene of many battles between pro-vivisectionists and anti-vivisectionists, and was finally removed in 1910 to restore the peace.

The Brown Dog Affair was just one example of Battersea's radical politics
In the late 19th century a Battersea branch of the first socialist party, the Social Democratic Foundation, was formed. One of its members, John Burns, was elected Independent Labour Party MP for Battersea North in 1892.

Battersea also gave the UK its first black mayor—John Archer in 1913. And in 1922, the famous Bombay-born politician Shapurji Saklatvala was elected Communist Party MP for Battersea.

You won't struggle to get to Battersea
Although, like many places in south London, it doesn't have a London Underground station, Battersea isn't short of strong transport links. The main train station, confusingly called Clapham Junction despite being in Battersea, is reckoned to be the UK's busiest railway station. And Battersea Heliport is also the busiest heliport in England (though it can't compete with Aberdeen heliport, which serves the North Sea oil rigs and is actually the world's busiest).