Comments on: The Schweppes Grotto, Festival of Britain Pleasure Gardens, Battersea, London

By: Editor

Editor — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:08:37 +0000

In reply to Steve Albertini. Hello Steve. Thanks for getting in touch. There has been such a wonderful response to my story about the grotto, and although I am sad never to have experienced it for myself, it is great to have everyone's memories.

By: Steve Albertini

Steve Albertini — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:55:18 +0000

As a young teenager, I would always make a point of visiting The Grotto when in Battersea Park. Even now, around 55 years later, the memory of the sounds, smells, sights and eerie effects caused by the ultraviolet lighting are as vivid as ever.

By: Richard Kemp

Richard Kemp — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 01:36:58 +0000

Hello,

I was a child at the Schweppes Grotto in about 1964 – it had a lasting effect on me, I am now an artist-musician, the Grotto inspired this song, which is a 1st draft.

https://soundcloud.com/omnavibe_ric-kemper/temple-of-the-winds

Thank you.

Ric

By: Editor

Editor — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 17:11:47 +0000

In reply to al Smith. Hello there and thanks for getting in touch. It’s an absolute delight to hear from people who remember the grotto. I was taken to the site in the 1970s, by which time it was a tatty funfair, and my parents regretted the trip. As you say, Battersea is a rather glossier neighbourhood these days. Do get in touch if you revisit and find out more.

By: al Smith

al Smith — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 16:52:20 +0000

A pleasure to find some info on the “grotto” as I remember it.
Some time in the early 60’s My parents took me to Battersea park and I remember entering the folly then going behind the waterfall which led to the temple of the 4 winds with rather tenuous smells . I vaguely remember the mineral cave but crossing the volcano impressed and scared me at that early age then it was the exit.
My girlfriend (later the wife) probably visiting the park for the Easter parade in the early 70’s found the folly again , no payment required for this or the tree walk as both were semi derelict, I cannot remember much of that visit apart from it being rather shabby , the waterfall not working and the tree walk probably had a few planks missing but we still had to have a go as it was free.
Last weekend I visited Battersea power station, not my thing now, too many awful shops so didn’t spend long there and went in search of the grotto/ folly in the park.
Could not find it nor any sign of it, the lakes, gardens and steps are still holding out and I think I found where there was a boat moored with Emett models displayed inside, but a lot has been developed.
Now I have found a plan of the festival gardens I may go back for another closer look …..

By: Editor

Editor — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 09:35:58 +0000

In reply to Nigel Haywood. Hello Nigel. I'm delighted to learn that my account of the grotto helped fill a gap in your memories.Of all the posts I have written on these pages, the account of the Schweppes Grotto has had the greatest impact in terms of prompting faded recollections. My late father was taken to the festival in 1951 on his 21st birthday, and took my sister and I to the remnants of Battersea park some years later. He was saddened to see what was by then a rather tatty fairground, as his memories were also filled with colour and light. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

By: Nigel Haywood

Nigel Haywood — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 17:57:42 +0000

I wish I could provide another memory. I visited the grotto when I was small, probably the late fifties, and went through later years remembering “Battersea Park” and “grotto” but being unable to find out anything more about it. Every couple of years I google it, so am delighted to have found your site. I’m afraid I simply can’t remember anything other than being inside a lit-up cave. Maybe I had a bout of claustrophobia and had to be taken out. But I vividly remember the coloured lights, and their role in creating the sort of world that I now associate with the adventures of Rupert Bear. Funny things, memories, and their linkages with colour and light. Something to do with long dark winters. But thank you so much for rooting out this piece of the past!

By: Editor

Editor — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 18:57:23 +0000

In reply to Richard. Hello Richard and thank you for adding to the information we have about this lost wonderland. Everyone has such happy memories of the Festival, and as you say it brought together so many wonderful artists, designers and creators. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 17 Sep 2023 15:32:33 +0000

My parents took me to Battersea Park Fun Fair on more than one occasion, circa 1960, or slightly later, when I was very young. I remember the Crooked House, where you ‘fell up’ the crooked steps inside, the humorous fake ‘colour television’ window, which was just an upstairs window in the house; because colour tv had not arrived in Britain at that stage. For some reason, the candy-floss drums stand out in my memory – you watched as the stick was vigorously wound around inside the drum, until it was blooming candy-floss; I remember the sweet taste. But my main impressions were of the Tree Walk, which was quite mysterious, in a way – and the Schweppes Grotto, Temple of the Winds. This so inspired me I actually visited the original Temple of the Winds in Greece, at Athens, many years later. But that is (now) just something monumental to be viewed from the outside. The Grotto was a multi-sensory installation, with sound, smell, light & colour – it’s influence has been with me ever since. That is the power of the creative arts, and I feel we should be justly proud of the brilliant minds behind the Festival of Britain 1951, Pleasure Gardens. Thank you.

By: Editor

Editor — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 19:39:16 +0000

In reply to Peter Maggs. Good evening Peter. Thank you so much for sharing not only your memories of the grotto, but also your precious photograph of yourself on a visit. I have added it to the original post and I am sure it will be enjoyed by the many readers who also recollect their visits to the festival.