Lakeside Centre

The Lakeside Centre is an iconic 1960s building on the edge of Southmere Lake. It's home to a growing creative community, with 38 affordable artist studios, two artist in residence studios, a community darkroom and community garden.

Projects which help Thamesmead feel loved and unique – such as the travelling cinema, life drawing classes, walking nature tours, and a kids’ art club – all started here. Others will be developed over the coming years.  

The building is managed by educational arts charity, Bow Arts who are a long-term cultural partner in the area. It is also home to an early years nursery run by the YMCA.

The building was brought back to life following a £2.7m renovation from 2017 to 2019. This was funded by City Hall’s Regeneration Fund, with support from the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP), Peabody, Bow Arts and Arts Council England.