The Lightbox in Woking

The experience of visiting Woking’s Lightbox with Chris Ingram’s extraordinary collection of modern British art supplemented by temporary exhibitions is further enhanced now that the downstairs cafe space has rather come into its own. Serving arancini, a pasta of the day and a selection of pizza, these provide a fitting prelude or postlude to a sojourn around modern art in general and, currently, the prints paintings and sculptures of Sophie Ryder in particular. Tables spill out into the sculpture park outside currently populated by Ryder’s strange human and animal amalgams. A tomato and mushroom pizza with a glass of Chardonnay rather brought me down to earth.

Cafés in art galleries are often such a disappointment with theirsad snacks that have waited too long to be enjoyed and are far too expensive. The modest little café at the Lightbox is a revelation. There is a new man in charge, a pizza fanatic, Apart from well-made coffee and fresh cakes, they serve pizza, pasta and arancini - all made freshly to order. You can enjoy lunch with a glass of wine, or breakfast with croissants. The young staff are friendly and enthusiastic. The bill was smaller than I have ever experienced in a similar gallery. Oh and the exhibitions mounted by the Lightbox are first-rate as well.