The Lightbox
The Lightbox
4.5
Art Galleries • Art Museums • History Museums
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10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Lightbox is an award-winning charitable arts and heritage organisation with a social purpose to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of its community. We strongly believe that art has the power to make you feel good and we strive to ensure that this philosophy is at the heart of everything we do. Our diverse cultural programme includes exhibitions featuring world-renowned artists, local heritage, talks and tours, social events and arts and crafts workshops for all ages.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
253 reviews
Excellent
117
Very good
101
Average
26
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Lucy B
26 contributions
Apr 2022
As we had never visited Woking before unsure what to expect. Transpired it was a great place for shopping, street food, history and art. Friendly locals took us to the Lightbox sculpture pop up in a shop next to M&S with another one nearby for local artists. First class interesting sculpture in the pop up attracting lots of different visitors welcomed by smiling friendly volunteers and staff.
We enjoyed big portions of Korean Japanese street food in the nearby market then visited the Lightbox centre, in a lovely oasis, yet next to a busy road! Set in a lovely garden, the centre has a very tempting shop ( whoever is the person sourcing the items for the shop has imagination and experience, such gorgeous items from a range of fab tetailers). The Scottish art exhibition was enjoyable, a local history gallery was fascinating. A lovely place to visit, enjoy paintings and sculpture, including some great Elisabeth Frjnks. Volunteers and staff are enthusiastic and passionate about the Lightbox and sharing it with visitors. Thank you.
We enjoyed big portions of Korean Japanese street food in the nearby market then visited the Lightbox centre, in a lovely oasis, yet next to a busy road! Set in a lovely garden, the centre has a very tempting shop ( whoever is the person sourcing the items for the shop has imagination and experience, such gorgeous items from a range of fab tetailers). The Scottish art exhibition was enjoyable, a local history gallery was fascinating. A lovely place to visit, enjoy paintings and sculpture, including some great Elisabeth Frjnks. Volunteers and staff are enthusiastic and passionate about the Lightbox and sharing it with visitors. Thank you.
Written May 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
futtock21
London, UK11,452 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
Two impressive new exhibitions at the Lightbox. In the main gallery highlights of the last five hundred or so years of Scottish art from the Fleming and Ingram collections. The earliest works from the lines of George Jamieson (1587-1644) known as the Scottish Van Dyck through the Scottish colourists to Bellany, Rae, Howson and Paolozzi. And if this isn’t enough the top floor art gallery is exhibiting some early works by William Crozier courtesy of Piano Nobilr gallery. There is an accompanying catalogue.
Written May 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
futtock21
London, UK11,452 contributions
May 2021 • Solo
Post-lockdown Woking’s Lightbox has re-opened with a multiplicity of exhibitions in addition to the permanent local history gallery on the first floor. It still has the row of sculptures in the ground floor lobby, a bookshop and cafe with an outside terrace, otherwise exhibition space. Local artists in the small room on the ground floor, the Ambassadors’ Room open on the first floor for the first time to display photographic works by UCA Farnham; on the top floor entrants to the Victoria Place Art Project; in the high ceilinged first floor gallery a major exhibition of the works of MIchael Ayrton (1931-75) who was equally comfortable as a painter of classically themed paintings as sculpture. There’s even a hardback guidebook produced especially for the exhibition. Pity I was, according to the sttendant, the only visitor he’d seen all day.
Written June 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael D
Woking, United Kingdom20 contributions
Oct 2020
Lightbox has put on some good albeit small exhibitions in the past. It started with free access but then went to an annual charge, which was reasonable. However now they charge daily and at the same rate as the previous annual charge. This makes visits now unaffordable for many. Its a shame but at these current rates it isn't really worth it anymore.
Written October 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
futtock21
London, UK11,452 contributions
Aug 2020 • Solo
Lucky the burghers of Woking to be the object of the philanthropy of business magnate and football club owner Chris Ingram in the shape of The Lightbox, a showcase for a museum devoted to both Woking’s history and Ingram’s rather remarkable collection of around 600 works of 20th century British art. So extensive is his collection that it can provide works for both of his current exhibitions, the smaller on the top floor of watercolours; the larger on the first floor of works by women artists. The watercolours are by many of the greats in British art, including several works by the likes of Edward Burra, John Minton and John Roberts. Some impressive nudes by Sir Robin Philipson and Jacob Epstein. Apart from some Elisabeth Frinks nothing I think by any female artist as these are reserved for the gallery downstairs dominated by a mobile of revolving legs. Nice to see a glorious Barbara Rae landscape amidst a rather geometric Barbara Hepworth and a couple of cartoonish Celia Pauls. As usual some gems along the external corridors including a newly acquired John Bellany, all of which have commentaries by visitors inspired by them. Elisabeth Frink sculptures still dominate the downstairs space near the small exhibition room currently displaying photographic records of local families in lockdown. A cafe and bookshop are also still functioning.
Written August 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dave Woking
United Kingdom154 contributions
Jul 2021
We started off with coffee and croissant and banana cake ( a real wow!) and then viewed the two current exhibitions ,,,,,,,,,intereresting art designs from local school students.......but the other was not appealing.,,,,,rather dour.
It pays to be a member as admission prices steep.
It pays to be a member as admission prices steep.
Written July 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
UnicornIsland
London, UK184 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
#Raphael it’s like getting a quiet education. Artists see things that art historians and other art professionals simply won’t see.
For me, art is a form of meditation. Nothing carries you away and clears your mind like visiting art galleries.
For me, art is a form of meditation. Nothing carries you away and clears your mind like visiting art galleries.
Written October 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dave Woking
United Kingdom154 contributions
Aug 2020
Superior quality ingredients, friendly and efficient service, the excitement of the fire alarm (kitchen) and ok prices mean a class leader cafe in Woking .......large portions.
Good spacing etc
Good spacing etc
Written August 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jacquie B
3 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
We visited the cafe today and found the staff with their backs to us chatting away. We stood for awhile then said Hello. Tne staff member turned around but didn't say a word. No "Hello" or "Can I help you?..nothing.
She took our order and we sat down. She then did much the same with the next customer. I know people can get bored or fed-up at work,but a little customer service interaction works wonders! Won't be eating here again in a hurry. Which is a shame, cos it's usually a nice calm place away from the shopping centre.
She took our order and we sat down. She then did much the same with the next customer. I know people can get bored or fed-up at work,but a little customer service interaction works wonders! Won't be eating here again in a hurry. Which is a shame, cos it's usually a nice calm place away from the shopping centre.
Written October 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jivebanana
Coulsdon, UK577 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We had got a special deal to get into the Hockney exhibition. The cafe and shop area is nice and the exhibitions upstairs are great. I heard lots of people saying that it was good place to entertain children which is wonderful as it’s free. Lots of social history exhibits too. Nice staff too
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SueH753
Liphook, UK1 contribution
How far from the station
The_Lightbox
Woking, UK
Hi, Sue, thank you for getting in touch. We are a 5-10 mins walk from Woking Station. For more information, please visit our website or use Google Maps and put in our postcode, GU21 4AA.
howiebaby7
Watford, UK7 contributions
What are entrance fees (for senior citizens) & what are the opening hours?
The_Lightbox
Woking, UK
Hello,
General admission is free. To enter our Main and Upper gallery exhibitions requires the purchase of a £5 Annual Pass (including for Senior Citizens). This Pass lasts for a whole year from the date purchased.
The opening hours are:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10.30am - 5.00pm
Sundays: 11.00am - 4.00pm
Mondays and bank holidays: closed
The Lightbox (Woking) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about The Lightbox
- The Lightbox is open:
- Sun - Sun 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Tue - Sat 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near The Lightbox:
- (0.14 mi) DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Woking
- (0.14 mi) The Wheatsheaf by Innkeeper's Collection
- (0.17 mi) Addison House
- (0.31 mi) Travelodge Woking Central
- (0.29 mi) Premier Inn Woking Town Centre hotel
- Restaurants near The Lightbox:
- (0.04 mi) Seasons Cafe & Kitchen
- (0.15 mi) Bacaro
- (0.15 mi) Latino Ristorante Italiano
- (0.09 mi) Flying Pan
- (0.21 mi) Beit Beirut