About The Boathouse

The Boathouse was launched in October 2014 as an exciting new arts venue next to the River Roding at the heart of the Icehouse Creative Quarter in Abbey Road, Barking. As we move into our fourth year we have seen tremendous developments in the Quarter and the completion of many new homes. The Quarter is home to an ever-increasing number of creative businesses and artists enhanced even more so with the arrival of Bow Arts.

The area is developing as a vibrant creative hub and we are set to see even more growth. The Boathouse benefits hugely from the generosity of Rooff Ltd who have believed in the project from the outset and shown this in action by their support in enabling the space to grow organically.

The first phase of our plan was to raise public awareness of the venue and café by offering pop-up opportunities, performances, jazz and comedy as well as attracting classes and affordable hourly and daily hire rates for our studios (see hire page for details).

The adjacent Boathouse Café & Bar, operated independently by Daniel’s Bar and Cafe is open Tuesday – Sunday from 10.30 am-11 pm.

Our primary ambitions for the Boathouse are to encourage participation, joy and pleasure in the arts with and for local people,to support and develop emerging artists and to promote our venue as a first choice for special celebrations and events in a setting where everyone is invited to  be creative.  We know it will increasingly be known as a wonderful place to visit and spend time, enjoy all sorts of arts and to meet each other…..

Carole Pluckrose – Artistic Director – The Boathouse

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan visits the Boathouse 

The Boathouse CIC was delighted to host the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to the Boathouse shortly after his election. He was given a whistle stop tour of arts venues and organisations in Barking and Dagenham by the Leader, Councillor Darren Rodwell. Stopping off for tea and cakes at the Boathouse Cafe we brought together a group of artists, cultural connectors and arts businesses to share ideas with the Mayor and talk about  growing the relationship between culture and regeneration. He believes passionately that the arts have a central part to play in community and the built environment and recognises their important contribution to the economy. 

Rooff Ltd is a construction developer and a key partner in the arts in Barking and Dagenham. The company owns the Granary and Malthouse Buildings home to the Boathouse in the Ice House Creative Quarter, Barking. They are a primary sponsor and supporter of the Boathouse CIC. Steve Drury, Rooff’s Development Director is the Chair of the Boathouse CIC board.