 The estate occupies a flat area of land at the edge of the River Thames flood plain, just north of the slope rising to Clapham Common.Historically, the area was occupied by Battersea Fields, the poorly drained common land covering the area as far as the river.The Heathwall Ditch ran along the foot of the slope and drained into the River Effra and Falcon Brook, making Battersea an island; present-day Heathwall Street marks the line of this watercourse.