The Venue

The Dutch Barge

Onboard Bar and Kitchen

Air-conditioned throughout/Option to open roof

Two onboard luxury bathrooms

Member of Staff for Food and Bar Service

Exclusive Hire

Please note: this is a catered venue; self-catering is not available.

Step aboard our beautifully restored Dutch barge, where timeless craftsmanship meets understated luxury.

Lovingly rebuilt from the hull up, the barge has been thoughtfully transformed into an elegant and versatile event space. On board, you'll find a five-star hygiene-rated catering kitchen, two luxurious bathrooms, and a stunning captain's table that comfortably seats up to 28 guests for an intimate dining experience.

An onboard bar, air conditioning, integrated sound system and atmospheric lighting. For warmer days and starlit evenings, two sections of the roof can be opened above the dining table, bringing the outdoors in and adding an extra touch of magic to your event.

To make planning effortless, your hire also includes all furniture, crockery, cutlery and glassware, allowing you and your guests to simply step aboard and enjoy the experience.

The Glass-Fronted Stretch Tent

Fully Stocked and Staffed Bar

Air-conditioned throughout/Option to open the front of the tent

Two luxury bathrooms

Relaxed seating

Exclusive Hire

Additional AV system on request

Please note: this is a catered venue; self-catering is not available.

For a contemporary open-air experience, our glass-fronted stretch tent offers a stylish and versatile space with breathtaking views across the Dutch barge and the Medway Estuary.

The spacious part of the venue features heating and air conditioning for year-round comfort, atmospheric lighting, an integrated sound system, and relaxed lounge seating to create a welcoming environment. As a fully licensed ceremony space, it also benefits from convenient luxury bathroom facilities nearby.

Whether you choose to style the space with your own décor or let the natural surroundings take centre stage, the stretch tent provides a stunning blank canvas for your event.

Available to hire on its own or alongside the Dutch barge, it offers the flexibility to create anything from an intimate gathering to a larger celebration.

Our story

Leven Is Strijd is a Waterside Wedding and Intimate Dining Venue in North Kent.

Leven is Strijd is a beautifully restored 29-meter Dutch barge built in 1928 in Woubrugge, Holland. The name "Leven is Strijd" translates to "Life is a struggle" in Dutch, reflecting the vessel's enduring spirit.

Originally used for transporting goods along Dutch waterways, this barge has traversed many miles before finding its home in Kent.

Now moored in North Kent, Leven is Strijd serves as an intimate wedding venue, offering a one-of-a-kind setting for up to 28 guests.

Despite its vintage charm, the barge is equipped with modern facilities, including a glass-fronted stretch tent for ceremonies and a well-stocked Art Deco bar.

Discover the magic of celebrating your love aboard this historic vessel. Contact us to learn more about hosting your wedding on Leven is Strijd.

Our ethos

We believe that love should be celebrated in the most unique and intimate way possible.

We honor the beauty of simplicity, offering a personalised, tailored experience where every moment feels as intimate as the love you share.

Our commitment is to provide a tranquil, enchanting environment where you and your loved ones can come together and create lasting memories.

We aim for a light environmental footprint and welcome low-impact choices. From local, seasonal catering to eco-conscious décor. We use water-safe cleaning material and grey water where possible. The venue to powered by sunshine, solar and wind, and is used as much as possible.

Whether you're exchanging vows under the open sky or enjoying an intimate reception surrounded by the calming rhythm of the river, we are dedicated to making your day extraordinary.

Let us help you create a celebration that is uniquely yours, one that reflects the love, joy, and adventure of your journey together.

A bride and groom dancing on a dock next to a boat in a scenic outdoor setting during sunset.

Wedding couple standing on a boat docked along a canal with boats and a building in the background during sunset.

Aerial view of a canal with boats docked, surrounded by green grassy land, trees, a building with solar panels, and some animals grazing on the field.

A bride and groom standing on a boat deck, smiling at each other during their wedding photoshoot in an outdoor setting with greenery in the background.

A newlywed couple hugging on a terrace or balcony during sunset, with a dark building and blue sky in the background.

View of a modern glass building with a rooftop terrace through a circular opening.

A boat named Leven Strud docked on a riverbank with a solar panel on the nearby building and a tent-like structure on the shoreline, under a blue sky with some clouds.

A floating restaurant with a large beige canopy on a riverbank, surrounded by trees and greenery.

Large wooden sculpture of a whale on a grassy area near a waterfront with trees and a patio with people sitting.

Outdoor seating area with white chairs, orange cushions, a white sofa with orange cushions, and a small black table, in front of the toilet building with a ticket office sign, under string lights, with greenery and a blue sky in the background.

Outdoor seating area with chairs and tables, a newly created toilet building with a metal roof, surrounded by trees and string lights, under a partly cloudy sky.

View of a bathroom sink with a soap dispenser filled with green liquid soap, a faucet, and a mirror above. The mirror reflects a sign and part of a wall.

A large boat with a dark hull traveling down a narrow canal with green water, alongside a riverside restaurant with a patio and white canopy, and trees and greenery in the background.

A boat docked at a harbor next to another larger, rusted ship. The boat has a wooden cabin, and a sign on it reads "Evens Stro" and includes the word "LEKKERKERK."

Long dining table set with white plates, multiple wine glasses, gold silverware, and small decorative items, surrounded by mustard-colored chairs and teal cushions on a dark blue wall.

Long dining table set for a formal meal with gold velvet chairs, surrounded by green cushioned benches with green and teal pillows, inside a dark blue-paneled room with small rectangular windows and gold and blue sunburst decoration on the back wall.

A long dining table with white plates, multiple glasses, and gold-colored bowls, set with navy blue napkins with gold star patterns, in a dimly lit room with teal walls and orange chairs.

Elegant banquet table setting with empty white plates, wine glasses, water glasses, gold cutlery, and small bowls of croutons and dipping sauces, decorated with fresh rosemary.

Elegant dining table set with wine glasses, gold flatware, and small dishes, arranged in a room with dark walls, teal pillows, and a decorative sunburst mirror on the back wall.

Small kitchen with blue cabinets, shelves filled with glasses, black countertops, a small window, and patterned tile floor.

A long, teal velvet couch with green and teal pillows along a wall, set against a dark blue wall with built-in lighting and a black table lamp, in a modern restaurant or lounge setting.

A tray with gold and white teacups, saucers, and gold utensils on a dark table with a dark background.

A wooden house with a glass enclosed porch illuminated at dusk, situated on a grassy hill, with string lights overhead, and a boat docked nearby.

A boat docked along a river at night with a well-lit tented restaurant or event space behind it, decorated with string lights and trees.

A boat docked in a scenic area illuminated by string lights at dusk or early evening, with trees on either side.

For more information or to book a viewing

Contact us

Get in touch

We’re so excited to welcome you to our new wedding venue, opening in April 2025! Whether you have questions about our spaces or availability or would like to schedule a tour, we're here to help.

Please fill out the form below, and our team will get back to you as soon as possible. We can't wait to be part of your special day!