Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration

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An illustration of a large brick building, surrounded by cobbled paths. People are sitting, walking and moving around the site. Some are drawing and reading. There are plants in the foreground and landscaped gardens. There is a round building on the left hand side and a one floor story building at the back of the image.

Make your mark on the national centre for illustration

Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration is the UK’s only permanent place for illustration, opening May 2026.

When we open in Clerkenwell, London, our three galleries in a former waterworks will showcase the breadth and dynamism of illustration through regularly changing exhibitions.

Visitors can explore our free spaces, including public gardens, displays and an illustration library. A café serving fresh food in historic surroundings will also be on offer as well as a shop stocked with unique illustration gifts.

Coming May 2026

A new landmark for illustration in Clerkenwell, London

Photo of a three story building covered in scaffolding

Coming soon

Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration will open in May 2026 in Clerkenwell, London

Exhibitions

From May 2026 our three exhibitions will feature rarely-seen historic and contemporary works from international collections.

Explore exhibitions new and old

Illustration of a person on a ladder drawing on the wall

New River Head

Quentin Blake set out to create the UK’s national centre for illustration in 2002

Learn about our history

Illustration of people sitting on a terrace and gardening outside a brick building

Make your mark

Help us to transform a derelict heritage site into galleries, studios and gardens

Help make an impact

Black and white photograph of industrial brick buildings reflected in a pond in the foreground

History

Discover the story of the New River Head, the site that will become our home

Animation of a blueprint folding up into a 3D model

Why illustration?

We're here for illustration, but what is it?

Watch our short film

Illustration collections

Explore drawings, posters, books and more from collections across the UK

Explore our collections