gallery
AOC Architecture Ltd, 1819
Crafts Council Gallery, 44a Pentonville Road, N1 9BY
what3words: shapes.facing.runs
Step inside the Grade II-listed Crafts Council Gallery, a unique venue for hire in the heart of London and the home to the Crafts Council, the UK’s national charity for craft. Handle objects from our collection, explore self-directed making through our Make First approach, browse our craft books, and meet the team as we re-establish the building as the national home for craft.
Angel, King's Cross St. Pancras
King's Cross
189, 19, 205, 214, 30, 341, 38, 394, 476, 56, 73
Platform lift to entrance. Accessible parking/drop-off available – please contact us first. Guide dogs welcome. Audio fire alarm only.
Crafts Council is the UK’s national charity for craft. We are the only organisation that connects the full lifecycle of craft, from first encounters in schools to makers on the global stage, with the credibility, networks, scale, and national voice to make those connections matter. Our mission is to: Connect people with the transformative power of craft; Build bridges between educators, makers, supporters, and communities that create opportunities; Drive careers and strengthen the craft sector in the UK.
Crafts Council Gallery is a former 19th-century Methodist Chapel, now a Grade II listed creative space and the national home for craft. Restored and reimagined by AOC Architects as a flexible space for making, learning, and events. It balances its historic character with a clean, adaptable contemporary interior. The Gallery is a showcase of contemporary craftsmanship in its own right, featuring bespoke interiors by Sebastian Cox, a handcrafted rattan bench by Soane Britain, and lighting by TM Lighting.
Step inside our newly opened Collections Store for a rare, hands-on exploration of the Crafts Council Collection, led by our passionate and knowledgeable collections team.
This experience offers the opportunity to discover how we care for the collection, learn about its history, and handle objects from our Handling Collection. Featuring works by leading names in craft and design, the collection spans more than 50 years of contemporary craft.
We have two bookable sessions taking place during our Open Day on Wednesday 16 September. Everyone is welcome to book a visit. You don’t need any involvement in or any knowledge of contemporary craft to enjoy spending time in our Collections Store – just bring your curiosity!
Please enter through the main Gallery. Tours meet in the welcome area just inside the Gallery entrance, with access to the Collections Store via the Gallery.
Our self-led making table will be open during the Open Day on 16 September, 11am-3pm, with activities inspired by our Make First approach.
Make First is a playful, open-ended way of making that encourages you to start straight away, experiment with materials, and focus on process rather than outcome. It invites repetition, experimentation, and starting again as part of developing your own ideas and confidence as a maker.
Crafts Council Gallery is flexible creative events space with a striking neoclassical façade and versatile blank canvas interior.
It is suitable for receptions, dinners, launches, talks, exhibitions, and shoots, with capacity for up to 180 standing or 140 seated.
First-floor workshop and meeting rooms can be hired alongside or separately for meetings, workshops, and breakout sessions.
All income supports Crafts Council, a registered charity dedicated to championing craft.
Guided tour / Talk
gallery, infrastructure/engineering, walk/tour, event, open site, industrial, art in the public realm
An industrial heritage site that was the hub of one of London’s first major pieces of urban infrastructure. Its 18th and 19th century buildings have been restored by Tim Ronalds Architects to create the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration which opened to the public on June 5th 2026.
John Smeaton, 1768
