The £9billion UK attraction named one of the must-visit spots for 2024 by National Geographic
A NEW attraction in London has been named one of the must-visit places for 2024.
National Geographic has revealed their “Best Of” lists for 2024, including the best cultural spots in the world.
They explained: “For our annual Best of the World list, National Geographic’s global community of editors, writers, photographers, and explorers share their picks for the top museums, festivals, and other cultural spots and experiences worth a trip this year.
“These places illuminate and immerse you in traditions, communities, and history—and inspire you to dig deeper.”
Along with underwater parks in the Caribbean and forest trails in Puerto Rico, a new attraction in the UK’s capital made the list too.
Battersea Power Station, which was a working power station between the 1930s and 1980s, reopened in 2022 following a billion-pound renovation.
And the building has been named by Nat Geo as a must visit.
They wrote: “A decade-long, $6billion renovation means the smokestack-capped, 1.5 million-square-foot building is now a stylish shopping, dining, and entertainment hub.”
Inside the huge building is a covered entertainment district with retail stories, restaurants, bars and cafes as well as a hotel and apartments – with celebs including Gordan Ramsey splashing out £12,000 a month for a flat.
Inside are more than 80 shops and restaurants, with high street brands including The Body Shop, Zara (which is it’s biggest in the UK) and Nike, as well as higher end brands such as Mulberry, Reformation and Jo Malone.
The new UK headquarters for Apple opened at Battersea Power Station last year too.
There is also the Arcade Food Hall & Bar, along the power stations Control Room B which has been converted into a bar with the same name too, with many of the original controls still installed.
Otherwise names including Wagamama, Nandos – which has frozen slushie cocktail machines – and Dishoom also have sites there, along with crazy golf, ping pong tables and a cinema.
One of the main attractions is the Lift 109, which is a glass lift going up the 357ft smokestacks.
Otherwise there is also the Art’otel with a rooftop pool overlooking London.
The Sun’s Travel Editor Caroline McGuire said about the attraction: “Given that I generally avoid shopping centres entirely when with my 5 year old, I’m surprised at how Battersea Power Station has become a regular family visit during school holidays.
“Shortly after it opened, we took Lift 109 to the top of the north-west chimney for 360-degree views of London.
“Which was especially great because of the clever phone app, which tells you everything you’re looking at.
“Although my gripe would be that it was far too short – I would have spent five times as long up there, staring at the cityscape. The hands-on exhibit before we boarded the lift was also great.
“But it’s the family-friendly activities that have impressed me the most.
“For instance, during autumn half term, my son and I enjoyed the free ‘brick’ soft play, spending more than an hour building a brick house.
“And we also designed a telephone box out of cardboard for £3 that is still on his chest of drawers at home.
“This half term, we have plans to go to the free Battersea Light Festival, followed by a gelato in the fabulous ice cream shop and a play in the Lego store. And the brand new playground is excellent too.
“I’m aware that there is plenty more on offer for adults – but it’s already a must-visit for us, year-round.”
It’s not the only cultural hotspot Brits should add to their list this year, according to National Geographic.
The city of Tartu in Estonia was also listed, being the European Capital of Culture for 2024.
Finnair recently launched new flights from the UK to Tartu, albeit with a stopover in Helsinki, or you can fly to Tallin and drive, where flights with Ryanair are just £17.
It even has a huge beer museum, with the country known for it’s boozy beverage.
Madrid’s Museum of Royal Collections and the Istanbul Modern museum in Turkey also made the cut.
Full list of National Geographic's top 20 cultural hotspots in 2024, in no order:
- Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, US
- National WWII Museum, New Orleans, US
- NorEste Trail, Puerto Rico
- Canadian Canoe Museum, Ontario, Canada
- Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, Grenada
- Liamuiga Natural Farms, St. Kitts
- Islas Marías, Nayarit, Mexico
- FotoFestival Manzana 1, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
- Tartu, Estonia
- Museum of Royal Collections, Madrid, Spain
- Battersea Power Station, London, England
- Istanbul Modern, Istanbul, Turkey
- MAP Marrakech, Morocco
- The Manor, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Chinggis Khaan Museum, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
- Museum of Art and Photography, Bengaluru, India
- Guangzhou Museum of Art, Guangzhou, China
- Ōmataroa Eco-Tours, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
- Sarjeant Gallery, Whanganui, New Zealand
- Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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