Donald Trump doesn't love Battersea, here are 10 reasons you should

The amazing attractions that prove the President is really missing out...
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Harry Fletcher|Ben Norum12 January 2018

Londoners, you can put down your placards and megaphones - Donald Trump has cancelled his planned February visit to the UK.

The petition to ban the president from visiting our shores, which reached nearly two million signatures, is no longer required after Trump revealed he won’t be visiting the US embassy in Battersea after all.

In a Tweet explaining his reasoning, the president criticised the Obama administration for selling America's London embassy in Mayfair for “peanuts” in 2008 (even though the move was actually carried out during George Bush’s presidency, just FYI) but more importantly went on to describe the south-west London area where the new embassy sits as an “off location”.

We don't agree. Quite frankly, it’s the President’s loss that he decided not to turn up. Here are 10 reasons to love Battersea even though Donald Trump doesn't.

Iconic Architecture

A truly iconic piece of British design, Grade II-listed Battersea Power Station has been a key part of London’s skyline for 85 years. It also famously featured on the front cover of Pink Floyd’s Animals with a huge inflatable pig back in 1977. These days it’s going through a £400 million redevelopment, with Apple set to relocate their London headquarters there very soon.

Schools fit for a King

Just can't wait to be king: Prince George
Getty Images

When it comes to education, the royals don’t just enroll at their local comprehensive you know… In fact, Prince George goes to school at Thomas’s Battersea, one of the finest primary schools in the city with a reputation for excellence. If Battersea is good enough for the royal family, surely it’s got to be good enough for Trump?

Celebrity chefs

It’s been reported that Trump is partial to a burger, so perhaps the fact that several top restaurants and big name chefs have chosen to bed down in Battersea is of no consequence to him, but the more foodie of the new Embassy staffers will eat very well indeed. Iconic Italian chef Francesco Mazzei has just opened Fiume, dishing up traditional dishes inspired by his home region of Calabria by the river. Gordon Ramsay runs his neighbourhood restaurant London House in village-like Battersea Square, and Vivek Singh will soon be launching an outpost of his City-based Cinnamon Kitchen restaurant in the shadow of the power station.

Furry friends

Nothing embodies Londoners' kind and charitable qualities quite like Battersea Cats & Dogs Home. Here you’ll find hundreds of vulnerable animals looked after by a wonderful team of people, who are dedicated to finding caring new owners for each and every one of them. You’d need a heart of stone to resist this place’s appeal. But then again, Donald Trump is the only modern president not to have a pet in the White House.

A bit of bunga bunga

There have been more than a few comparisons drawn between Donald Trump and Silvio Berlusconi, so there’s reason to think that if he ever does visit Battersea he might enjoy Bunga Bunga, an outrageous, tongue-in-cheek homage to the former Italian Prime Minister. Incorporating a bar, pizzeria and karaoke it should be enough to keep diplomats entertained well into the early hours.

Culture and community

Battersea Arts Centre is a place that pulls together cutting edge culture and community spirit. The friendly arts space puts on a wide variety of shows, with immersive theatre productions and strong comedy offerings staged throughout the year. The venue suffered a devastating fire in 2015, and the community showed incredible resilience to restore the building to its former glory.

Park life

AFP/Getty Images

Comprising 200 acres of expansive green space right in the heart of the neighbourhood, Battersea Park is the jewel in the area's crown. It is also home to the Battersea Peace Pagoda, a grand Buddhist monument which represents a nice space to enjoy a few moments of reflection and take in the fantastic views of the lake. Nice spot to sit and compose a Tweet, perhaps?

Immersive art

The Pump House Gallery is a fun contemporary art space, located right next to Battersea park. The unusual and often interactive works displayed here have earned it a reputation as one of the best places to see visual art in the city, and the setting is stunning in its own right.

Tucked-away theatre

There's a secret lurking upstairs at the Latchmere, a lovely old corner pub on Battersea Park Road. Its top floor is occupied by Theatre503, a small space that punches well above its weight. It plays host to a variety of productions from up and coming writers, which often end up transferring to the West End. Handy for a pint, too. Not that Trump drinks, mind.

Animal attraction

Battersea Park Children's Zoo is a unique place offering an educational look at a selection of cute critters. It’s not just adorable animals on display here either, with large play areas, sandpits and life-size fire engines for the little guys to run around in too. A favourite among little ones, it may just have proved popular with the big kid in the White House.

Maybe Trump should think again about that "off location"...

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