About
The Lightbox is one of the most celebrated purpose-built arts and museum venues in the South East of England, opened in 2007 on the banks of the Basingstoke Canal in Woking town centre. Designed by architect Marks Barfield — the team behind the London Eye — the building is itself a striking landmark, its glass and steel form reflecting the light of the canal waters and earning immediate architectural acclaim.
At the heart of The Lightbox is the Ingram Collection of Modern British Art, one of the most significant privately assembled collections of 20th and 21st-century British art in the country. Assembled by Christopher Ingram over more than three decades, the collection spans painting, sculpture, printmaking, and works on paper, featuring work by artists including Bridget Riley, Frank Auerbach, Leon Kossoff, Lucian Freud, Paula Rego, and Maggi Hambling. Regularly rotated displays ensure that each visit reveals new discoveries within this remarkable holding.
Alongside the Ingram Collection, The Lightbox operates as a dynamic exhibiting venue with a busy programme of temporary exhibitions across its multiple gallery spaces. Exhibitions encompass contemporary art, photography, historical and heritage subjects, craft, and design, drawing both national touring shows and locally originated projects. The gallery has developed a strong reputation for accessible, imaginative, and thought-provoking programming that appeals to specialist audiences and first-time visitors alike.
The museum's Woking Stories galleries explore the rich history of Woking and the surrounding Surrey area, from the town's origins as a small settlement transformed by the arrival of the railway, through its extraordinary role as the setting of H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds, to the development of the modern town. Interactive displays, archival photographs, and community contributions make this an engaging local history resource.
The Lightbox has received numerous awards for its architecture, programming, and community engagement, and is widely regarded as a model for how a modern regional arts venue can serve diverse audiences while maintaining high curatorial standards. Free admission to the permanent collection ensures that the Ingram Collection and Woking Stories galleries are accessible to all.
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Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Visitor Tips
- Begin your visit in the Ingram Collection galleries — the quality and range of modern British art on display rivals many national institutions.
- Check the website before visiting to see what temporary exhibitions are on — some are free, others ticketed. Booking ahead for ticketed shows avoids disappointment.
- Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit the permanent galleries. Weekends are busier, especially during popular temporary exhibitions.
- Woking station is just a 10-minute walk away via the canal, and has fast trains from London Waterloo in under 30 minutes — easy for a day trip.
- The Woking Stories galleries are excellent for children, with interactive displays about H.G. Wells and the War of the Worlds that capture imaginations of all ages.
- After your visit, walk along the Basingstoke Canal towpath — it is a lovely way to extend the afternoon, especially towards the Goldsworth Park area.
- The canal-side café terrace is a wonderful spot for a coffee or lunch on a fine day — one of the most pleasant outdoor spots in Woking town centre.
- The building is fully step-free throughout, with lifts to all levels and hearing loops in the gallery spaces. The team are experienced in welcoming visitors with a range of access needs.
Highlights
Discover the unique exhibits and collections at this museum.
Collections
The Lightbox stewards the Ingram Collection of Modern British Art, comprising several hundred works by leading British artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. The collection is strong in post-war British painting, including major figures associated with the School of London and abstract traditions. The local history collection documents the history of Woking and the surrounding Surrey area through photographs, documents, objects, and oral history recordings.
The Ingram Collection of Modern British Art
Rotating displays from the outstanding Ingram Collection, featuring major works of 20th and 21st-century British art including painting, sculpture, and works on paper.
Woking Stories
Permanent local history galleries exploring the development of Woking from rural village to modern town, including the H.G. Wells War of the Worlds connection and canal heritage.
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.