Queer Britain

About the museum

Queer Britain was founded in 2018 by Joseph Galliano-Doig and Ian Mehrtens as a project to create a national LGBTQ+ museum, and it became a registered charity in 2019. After pop-up exhibitions, including a first one with a partner brand in 2019, the museum opened its own galleries in May 2022 at 2 Granary Square, King's Cross. It describes itself as the UK's first and only LGBTQ+ museum.

The building, at Granary Square, built in 1850 to designs by Lewis Cubitt, is shared with the Art Fund. Visitors enter on the side next to the Waitrose store. The main gallery presents the museum's collection in themed displays that run through more than 200 years of queer British history; in 2026 six new displays were introduced, covering the Black Lesbian and Gay Centre, the AIDS Quilt, Justin Fashanu, women's liberation music, Club Kali, and Dora Carrington and Lytton Strachey. There is also a Studio space used for events and talks, and a gift shop with items by queer makers.

The museum receives no government funding and relies on donations, memberships, patrons and sponsors, and visitors pay what they can on entry. Its archive is held at the Bishopsgate Institute. Programmes include events, an annual community Art Award, private out-of-hours tours and venue hire.

Highlights

• Themed displays on queer British history from over 200 years
• Pay-what-you-can entry with free entry for those who need it
• Programme of talks and events in the Studio space
• Gift shop with items by queer makers
• Annual community Art Award

Permanent exhibition

• Main gallery displays – Six themed displays of the museum's collection, covering the Black Lesbian and Gay Centre, the AIDS Quilt, Justin Fashanu, women's liberation music, Club Kali, and Dora Carrington and Lytton Strachey.

Founded

2018

Operated by

Queer Britain Museum Ltd

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry works on a pay-what-you-can donation basis, including free entry on arrival for those who need it. Visitors can pre-book online or donate by card at tap-to-donate points in the museum. Private out-of-hours tours are available for groups of up to 25.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: not available
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: not available

The building is step-free, with a ramp to the galleries from outside and a lift to the Studio space; visitors with wheelchairs wider than 89.5 cm should get in touch beforehand. Accessible gender-neutral toilets are on the first floor and lower ground floor, and the ground floor toilet has baby changing. Service, assistance and emotional support animals are welcome. All audiovisual content is subtitled. Large print guides and audio description are being developed. Seating is available in the gallery, and the Welcome Team can assist visitors with hidden disabilities. The surrounding area is pedestrianised; the nearest Blue Badge bay is near 1 York Way, about a minute's walk away.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Visitors of all ages are welcome and the exhibitions carry no age warning; artefacts with nudity are explained in context. Breastfeeding is allowed in any area, bottle feeding in any area except the main gallery, and there is a baby-changing facility in the ground floor toilet.

Getting there & parking

Visual directions from King's Cross station are available as a PDF on the museum website.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

There is a gift shop in the museum with items by queer makers, and an online store.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The main gallery and the Studio space can be hired for book launches, community events, receptions, meetings, workshops and working lunches.

Plan your visit