About Battersea Arts Centre
Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) is one of the UK’s most innovative arts venues, housed in the magnificent former Battersea Town Hall at Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN. For more than 40 years it has been a home for experimental theatre, live art, comedy, music and family shows, with a reputation for discovering bold new talent.
BAC is famous for its “scratch” model of performance development, which lets artists try out new work in front of live audiences and refine it over time. The building itself is a beautiful Victorian civic landmark, with a grand hall, ornate staircases and atmospheric performance spaces spread across several floors.
What to Expect
Expect an eclectic programme: boundary-pushing theatre, hilarious comedy nights, live music, immersive experiences and playful family events. BAC also houses a café and bar where audiences and artists mingle, creating a lively, welcoming atmosphere throughout the day and evening.
Many of the shows are affordable, with Pay What You Can options, making it one of south London’s most accessible cultural venues.
Getting There
Battersea Arts Centre is at Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN. The nearest mainline station is Clapham Junction, about a ten-minute walk away; Battersea Park station (Southern) is also close. Buses 77, 156, 344 and 345 stop nearby.
Explore more of the capital on the London city page and browse the full UK events list.
Tickets & Opening Times
Opening hours vary by show, with performances usually running from early afternoon to late evening. Tickets can be booked online, by phone on 020 7223 2223, or in person at the box office: bac.org.uk.
Beyond its performance programme, BAC is a community hub, hosting workshops, open rehearsals and artist development programmes throughout the year. Its welcoming café bar is a popular local meeting spot, and the building’s grand interiors — including the ornate Grand Hall — are an experience in themselves. With its Pay What You Can ethos, BAC is one of the most accessible and adventurous arts venues in London.
BAC’s artistic programme has launched the careers of numerous acclaimed performers and companies, and its influence on British theatre is widely recognised. Whether you come for a show, a workshop or simply a drink in the bar, you will find a venue that is genuinely open to everyone, in one of south London’s most creative communities.
More Events at Battersea Arts Centre
Currently on at BAC is The Art of Mini Golf — nine artist-designed mini golf holes celebrating the game’s subversive history, perfect for all ages.
