Definitions

1. noun

a nickname for the church of St Mary-le-Bow in Cheapside, London, where people born within the sound of its bells are said to be ‘ Cockney’

“She’s from Bowbells, so she’s a true Cockney.”

2. noun

by extension, the East End of London, especially the area around the church

“He grew up in the Bowbells area, surrounded by markets and street food.”