An above shot of a crowd mingling and talking in the courtyard

Venue hire

From covered outdoor courtyards to cosy café tables, choose the perfect venue from our unique portfolio of spaces. Whether you’re looking to host a birthday, a wedding reception, a team-building day, a workshop or anything in-between, we will provide you with all the support you need for a successful day. 

All income from venue hire goes back into our work in the arts sector, including supporting our exhibitions, keeping our studios affordable, and assisting in our delivery of arts programmes for schools.

Venue Hire Pack

Including details on our venues, price, accessibility, transport and our recommended partners.

Our venues

Three paintings on each wall of the Nunnery Gallery

Nunnery Gallery

Our Nunnery Gallery is a unique historic building situated on the ground floor of a former convent, with neo-gothic revival detailing, original Victorian tiles and gothic arches. The gallery sits alongside the Nunnery Café, which opens onto the charming Bow Arts Lane with seating and an impressive light installation suspended above – the perfect setting for evening drinks. The gallery can be hired for weeks at a time for exhibitions, or by the day for an event or film shoot.

Bow Arts Courtyard with a metal sculpted bear

Bow Road Courtyard

Set back from the main road, this light and spacious enclosed courtyard provides a brilliant backdrop for all kinds of outdoor public and private events, and has a capacity of 300. With a covered area for protection from the elements, this multipurpose space is ideal for gatherings and performances of all kinds. Close to the historic Bow Church and Tower Hamlet’s town halls, it’s also an affordable choice for a wedding or civil-partnership reception. All hires of the courtyard include the adjacent Courtyard Room, which comprises an informal meeting area, kitchenette, and two toilets.

Bow Arts Courtyard Room with two round tables and chairs

Bow Road Courtyard Room

This airy and bright informal meeting area includes a kitchenette and two toilets. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the Courtyard Room has a flexible setup with sofas, an in-built projector and tables and chairs.

The Nunnery Café with tables and artwork on display

Nunnery Café

The Nunnery Café, adjoined to the Nunnery Gallery, provides our visitors with a place to unwind, have a hot drink and enjoy some tasty food. This bright, trendy space opens onto Bow Arts Lane with seating and a unique light installation suspended in mid-air. The café can be hired out of hours, along with our regular menu or special catering from the café team.

The Media Space at the Lakeside Centre with two people enjoying the artwork on displat

Lakeside Centre

Our project space is perfect for workshops, exhibitions, film screenings, and other public or private events, with access to the rooftop. We also have a courtyard perfect for holding outdoor events, where we’ve previously hosted markets and film screenings. The venue is situated in an iconic brutalist building on the edge of Southmere Lake, Thamesmead, and surrounded by artist studios.

Art in the Docks gallery with artwork on display

Art in the Docks gallery

Situated in the beautiful Royal Albert Wharf, we have a spacious gallery ideal for conferences, meetings, performances, private dinners, receptions, film/photography shoots, press launches, exercise classes, and much more. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the space overlooks stunning views of the River Thames and is part of a growing cultural hub and destination by Gallions Reach.

Spotted the perfect venue?
Any burning questions?

Get in touch.

If you want to find out more about hiring one of our venues get in touch with nunnery@bowarts.com or use the enquiry form.

    Which venue are you interested in?