Nostalgic memories of Battersea's local history

Share your own memories of Battersea and read what others have said

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.

Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.

A couple at a laptop

Add a Memory!

It's easy to add your own memories and reconnect with your shared local history. Search for your favourite places and look for the 'Add Your Memory' buttons to begin

Tips & Ideas

Not sure what to write? It's easy - just think of a place that brings back a memory for you and write about:

  • How the location features in your personal history?
  • The memories this place inspires for you?
  • Stories about the community, its history and people?
  • People who were particularly kind or influenced your time in the community.
  • Has it changed over the years?
  • How does it feel, seeing these places again, as they used to look?

This week's Places

Here are some of the places people are talking about in our Share Your Memories community this week:

...and hundreds more!

Enjoy browsing more recent contributions now.

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Me and my brother Ken lived at number 36 Mendip Road and went to Eltringham Street School. We would love to hear from anybody who lived in the street and Mendip Crescent. We still live in Battersea and Wandsworth and would especially like to hear from Jimmy Maloney, John Stannard and David Rees. Anybody that knows the whereabouts of these old friends, please pass the message on. Hope to hear from someone soon, Len James.
I have great memories of Battersea park. In the school holidays, with mum working days and dad working nights, my sister, brother and I, along with friends were taken to the park every day while dad went home for a sleep. I must have been 11-12 years old. Packed off for the day with our snacks we played around the paddling pools and open air theatre, then dad brought us chip rolls for lunch. Happy days..
My dad, Jack Stanley (born 1937 ) told me of a lion which escaped into a back garden when the train it was on was hit by a bomb. I have found a clip on pathe news so I know it happened, but can't find much more information. Would love to hear more about my dad's tale.
I was born at 15 Currie Street in a modern prefab which had electric lights when most other houses still only had gas. We had an inside toilet and bathroom luxuries that others could only dream of then. At one end of Currie Street was Ponton Road, which is still there and which has taken over what was Currie Street, and Woodgate Street, at the other end Everet Street. We had the Nine Elms Rail goods yard on the ...see more
I was born in 1930 in Chelsea but moved to Haines Street, Battersea (demolished to make way for New Covent Garden in the 1960's) in 1933. Moved to No.3 Sleaford Street Battersea in 1935 and went to Sleaford Street School until 1939 (Mr Hilton and Mr Baker, two teachers). First swimming lesson with school and nearly drowning in Nine Elms swimming baths; playing on the Monkey Steps in Battersea Park (glorious flower ...see more
I was born in 59 Durham Buildings - love the memories. My dad used to drink in the Nags Head pub across the road and work in Gartens factory - the smell was around all week bar Sundays. Me and my two sisters, Maureen and Ann, 4 and 2 years older than me, we went to Sacred Heart School in Trott Street. I was 4 or 5 when we moved to Dorset Road off Clapham Road. James Maher/Reilly
Hi,does anyone have any stories,or pictures of Gray's? My mum (Jean Ward), attended and has fond memories of Marilyn Meehan, Beryl Allen, Jim Phillips, plus Ron and Audrey Potty among others. Thank you for any help. Ian.
I remember going to Battersea park on Sundays and going in the paddling pool by the jungle. We used to make a day of it having a picnic there. Mum used to get us to save a place by the tennis court so we could hang our costumes up to dry, there was six of us kids. I used to go in the Jungle and be in there all day. The best was climbing on the high platform and jumping on the big rope then everyone piling on top of ...see more
I'm trying to trace anyone who remembers Ruskin Street in Battersea, my Dad lived there as a small child and I am trying to trace where about's Ruskin Street was before it was bombed, rebuilt and renamed, thanks for any help. Austin Back
We used to live in Henning Street in Battersea, we were always in Battersea Park and "the jungle" which was a playpark for teenagers with ropes and pulleys, my brothers had great fun in there whilst my friends and I were always in the funfair. I loved the fountains when they went high into the air and if it was windy would get sprayed! Often used to bunk into the Granada by the side door - very naughty! My ...see more