Controversy surrounded the construction and funding of The Lightbox however in its first year the…read moreorganisation has shown its worth. A futuristic aluminium outer skin and an asymetric design (which has already won a couple of architectural awards) houses an award winning arts space. There's something for everyone here, be it an exhibition on the history of Woking, art exhibitions or even live music events. A cafe provides a relaxed atmosphere and an outdoor space on the banks of the Basingstoke canal. Children can find both education and entertainment in the education rooms. Visit for free although some exhibitions may attract a small additional charge. Jazz with Sunday Brunch (2nd Sunday of month usually) is particularly good and it's free. Don't judge by the outside or the amount spent - go see for yourself!

The Lightbox is worth a visit just to admire the building (which is, in my opinion, quite…read morebeautiful, although some appear to think otherwise). It has a shell of yellow-gold aluminium scales and the front is smartly wood-panelled, while the black metal gate is somewhat Art Nouveau in style, with a pattern slightly reminiscent of wild iris. There's a small courtyard outside with seating for the café-restaurant, as well as a charming and futuristic garden featuring some metal plant sculptures and small grassy domes. There is also indoor seating for the café. There's a small shop selling souvenirs, the work of local artisans, and books and gifts relating to the exhibitions. The Lightbox has several floors with various exhibition rooms. There is a permanent exhibition about local history, which is very engaging and features several interactive displays to keep children interested. When it opened, The Lightbox secured an excellent exhibition about the animation company Aardman, but subsequent exhibitions have been slightly smaller in scale and rather less impressive, although still worth a visit. Most are free to view, but one or two have a ticket price of a few pounds. A summer pavilion providing extra exhibition space is promised for the courtyard outside, which will be paid for by the recent Art Fund Prize that the gallery deservedly received. The Lightbox is a good place to while a way an hour or two on a Sunday afternoon, but beware: don't plan to visit on a bank holiday as it is closed on Mondays.

Beautiful gardens, with a resident cat it seemed. I think it was Burmese, a real cutie, purring its…read moreheart out, until an annoying little girl came over and asked if it was mine. When i said no, she scooped it up and walked off with it! Wonderful embroidery gallery attached to the cafe with some stunning local work inside.

The Sunbury Millennium Embroidery is intended as a permanent, commemorative record which celebrates…read morethe ancient riverside village of Sunbury-on-Thames and its community at the turn of the year 2000. The Embroidery consists of 9 panels and over 100 insignia of local organisations and companies. it is housed in a new and award winning gallery with cafe attached within the Walled Garden off Thames Street. The website can give an overview. It's a lovely little thing to visit, and the walled garden provides an extension in the form of a beautiful stroll, or Sunbury park provides more of a romp for families. There are often ladies demonstrating embroidery technique as this is all local work, and the gallery is also used for art and sculpture displays. Child friendly - there is colouring and the embroidery is covered with glass but a bronze relief is provided for children or the partially sighted to feel the descriptions of the area and its wildlife.

London Bus Museum is located within the Brooklands Museum site and admission to both is combined…read more However it is a separate museum and has a fabulous collection of immaculate old buses on show. Some are celebrity buses like RT1 and the Chocolate Express. This is well woth a visit. The annoying piped music is well worth putting up with. There are signs that there will be more exhibitions in the future and I hope they will have a museum shop. The museum is the best on the whole Brooklands site.