Modern Art on the Basingstoke Canal
The Lightbox opened in 2007 on the banks of the Basingstoke Canal in Woking town centre, designed by Marks Barfield Architects (the practice behind the London Eye). Its striking angular form houses two main gallery spaces, a community gallery and a local history museum, making it one of Surrey’s most ambitious cultural projects of the twenty–first century.
The gallery is home to the Ingram Collection of Modern British Art, one of the country’s most important private collections, featuring works by L. S. Lowry, Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and many others. Changing exhibitions throughout the year bring in loans from national institutions and showcase contemporary artists, ensuring there is always something new to see.
Heritage & Community
Alongside its fine art programme, The Lightbox tells the story of Woking and its surroundings through permanent and temporary displays. Topics range from the town’s Victorian origins as a railway settlement to the history of the Basingstoke Canal and the legacy of H. G. Wells, who set The War of the Worlds in the area.
The venue also functions as a community hub, offering workshops, talks, school visits and outreach programmes that aim to make art accessible to all. Admission to the building and many exhibitions is free, reflecting a commitment to removing barriers to cultural engagement. Its waterside café is a popular spot for visitors exploring the canal towpath.
