The Lightbox
The Lightbox
4.5
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.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
215 within 3 miles
Attractions
96 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
256 reviews
Excellent
117
Very good
103
Average
27
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Janet W
4 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Inspiring visit especially for the kids. However I think the location and parking isn't very convenient. It's kind of hard to find if you are new to Woking.
Written 6 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
david r
Woking, UK62 contributions
Jun 2023 • Friends
The exhibitions are good but less frequently changed, to save costs I have been told, although the Arts Council have been generous. In recent weeks the cafe tends to have had a very limited menu ,possibly due to staff shortage and a reduction in customers ?
Written 18 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MK Tech
12 contributions
Apr 2023
The Light box –
Last Monday I visited the Light Box in Woking (a small art gallery) which included artists such as Sophie Ryder and Tom Sliwinski. One of my favourite aspects was the architecture of the building, it looks relatively small from the outside, and almost dull, but when you step in, it is very open, bright and warm. For a Monday afternoon, the café was relatively busy and calm. This was not my first time visiting the light box, I had been many times when I was younger, therefore it was nostalgic for me. On the other hand, the exhibitions do change regularly, which is a good thing as there is always a variety or artists to view.
This makes a fantastic activity to do with your friends or family, as the majority of exhibitions are free, which is nice to see in 2023. Although, the café is rather expensive, it wasn’t a big deal as Woking town centre is just two minuets away. The main downside is the fact that it took less than two hours to walk around all of the exhibitions, so it would not be a whole day activity.
Overall, this was a great art gallery to visit, especially considering that it was free entry. I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for distraction for a couple of hours, it was also a great place to relax, as it was incredibly peaceful.
Last Monday I visited the Light Box in Woking (a small art gallery) which included artists such as Sophie Ryder and Tom Sliwinski. One of my favourite aspects was the architecture of the building, it looks relatively small from the outside, and almost dull, but when you step in, it is very open, bright and warm. For a Monday afternoon, the café was relatively busy and calm. This was not my first time visiting the light box, I had been many times when I was younger, therefore it was nostalgic for me. On the other hand, the exhibitions do change regularly, which is a good thing as there is always a variety or artists to view.
This makes a fantastic activity to do with your friends or family, as the majority of exhibitions are free, which is nice to see in 2023. Although, the café is rather expensive, it wasn’t a big deal as Woking town centre is just two minuets away. The main downside is the fact that it took less than two hours to walk around all of the exhibitions, so it would not be a whole day activity.
Overall, this was a great art gallery to visit, especially considering that it was free entry. I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for distraction for a couple of hours, it was also a great place to relax, as it was incredibly peaceful.
Written 27 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
david r
Woking, UK62 contributions
Jan 2023
There is always an exhibition to stimulate the brain and senses, even if not to one's taste. The cafe is very reliable and fairly priced.
Written 29 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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 12 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave Woking
United Kingdom162 contributions
Aug 2022
Have visited the Canaletto exhibition twice,,,I live in Woking .Well worth visiting as there is always something of interest .
Become a member for the best value. Cafe modest but excellent
Become a member for the best value. Cafe modest but excellent
Written 24 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
futtock21
London, UK11,600 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 8 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucy B
28 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 1 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave Woking
United Kingdom162 contributions
Feb 2022
Went to two time limited exhibitions yesterday.....very different in character but each of great interest. Very worthwhile to become a member if you live near. Excellent cafe now too.
Written 26 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
futtock21
London, UK11,600 contributions
Jan 2022 • Solo
Where else might you find, in addition to paintings and sculptures from its permanent collections, two such diverse temporary exhibitions as the mind bending optical wallpaper of Bridget Riley (b.1931) and the entirely figurative work of Hubert Arthur Finney (1905-1991). The former is a nonogenarian rarely out of the limelight; the latter’s exhibition rightly described as ‘out of the shadows’. Not exactly contemporaries as Finney could have been of the same generation as Riley’s father. What a variety of his work on display from a wistful self-portrait to a reclining nude through aerial shots of airfields to pastoral scenes. Riley’s work, however, feels like intense and myopic variations on a single-theme of creating mind-bending patterns. Downstairs a bookshop and small cafe.
Written 16 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingTHE LIGHTBOX: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Lightbox
- The Lightbox is open:
- Sun - Sun 11:00 - 16:00
- Tue - Sat 10:30 - 17:00
- 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
- (0.28 mi) Premier Inn Woking Town Centre hotel
- (0.42 mi) Travelodge Woking Central
- Restaurants near The Lightbox:
- (0.04 mi) Seasons Cafe & Kitchen
- (0.15 mi) Bacaro
- (0.15 mi) Latino Ristorante Italiano
- (0.08 mi) Frying Pan
- (0.09 mi) Flying Pan