London Opens a Museum Made for Illustration Lovers
The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration has opened in Clerkenwell, London, giving the UK a new cultural space devoted to illustration. The £12.5 million centre was created by Sir Quentin Blake, the 93-year-old illustrator widely known for his work on Roald Dahl books, and is described as the world’s largest dedicated space for illustration.
The centre is based at New River Head, a former waterworks site in Clerkenwell. Its converted buildings include three exhibition galleries, with paid gallery access priced at £15 for adults and £6 for children. The project turns an industrial site into a public arts venue focused on drawings, comics, books, visual storytelling and creative workshops.
What is free and what needs a ticket
Visitors can use some parts of the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration without paying for gallery entry.
Free access includes:
- Public gardens
- Café
- Shop
- Illustration library with 1,000 books
Paid access includes:
- Three exhibition galleries
- Main ticketed displays
Workshops, talks and family sessions may need separate booking through the centre’s programme.
The opening gives London another cultural stop beyond the usual major museums. Clerkenwell is already close to Farringdon, Exmouth Market and central London, so visitors can combine the centre with food, bookshops, design stores and nearby heritage walks. Events include Illustrating a Children’s Book, Creating Comics with Purpose, All Join In and An Evening with Queer as Comics.
The new centre matters because illustration rarely gets this much permanent space, despite shaping children’s books, comics, publishing, advertising and visual culture. With paid galleries, free public areas and a workshop programme, the museum gives families, students, artists and casual visitors a clear reason to spend more time in Clerkenwell.
