A Guide to Newham's Cultural and Creative Activities

• Hypha (Gallery 1&2): The Hypha Gallery is one of a collection of arts and cultural spaces found on Sugar House Island. In their mission statement, they outline that their free events engage local communities across the country and, importantly, they offer over £2.2M worth of free exhibition space at a time of gallery closures and funding cuts to the arts by hosting a variety of (modern) art exhibitions led by local collectives. They are committed to removing financial obstacles to working in the arts and have demonstrated this through their free temporary exhibition space and support for substantial numbers of independent artists. 

  
  

• Newham Recovery College, Building Crafts College and Carpenters & Dockland Centre: All of these community centres offer short and long-term skills workshops such as carpentry, stone masonry, glass working, and more.  The Carpenters and Dockland Centre is a youth, community and social centre providing valuable services to a wide range of local residents. It developed out of the Carpenters Institute, which was established in the 1920s as a social club for local residents living close to the company’s Stratford estate. Its facilities include a sports hall, judo training room and meeting rooms.​ They offer a variety of courses, many of which can’t be found elsewhere in London, and include short courses for those looking to upskill in something different! 

  
  

• The House Mill: Today, the House Mill has been converted to house both a museum (temporarily closed, reopening at some point in 2025) and 3 Mills Studio, under one roof. Three Mills Studio is a production company which has worked with some pretty cool clients including Wes Anderson, Danny Boyle, and Tim Burton among others – so perhaps it's worth a look for budding filmmakers hoping to get inspired.

  
  

• Sadler’s Wells East – A new centre for creativity, learning, and innovation in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Sadler's Wells East is a theatre for dance, the programming, prices and space are all carefully designed for the east London community, and there are lots of free opportunities for the local community. Part of the area’s redevelopment post-2012 Olympics, this institution arguably highlights the ongoing gentrification of Newham.

  
  

• Theatre Royal Stratford East: This theatre is a staple of the community which has served the local area since 1884. The Theatre was almost demolished in the 60s, but was saved in the nick of time when it was granted a Grade II Preservation Order. It now puts on a variety of shows, inspired by its local community as well as important contemporary issues. The statue in front of the theatre honours Joan Littlewood, a Theatre director who was a founding member of the Theatre Workshop, which established their permanent base in Stratford East, in 1953, and was essential to keeping the theatre afloat. So go and immerse yourself in Stratford’s theatre-making heritage – tickets are always affordable and The Women of Llanrumney is on right now until the 12th of April. And if you would like a deep dive into the building’s history, they are offering free guided tours of the theatre as part of Stratford East’s 140th year celebrations !

  
  

  

  Joan Littlewood and the Theatre Royal