Overview

The Isokon Gallery is a small gallery housed in the former garage of the Isokon Building, tells the story of the building and its amazing former residents, which included Agatha Christie, writer, László Moholy-Nagy, painter, as well as several Soviet spies. Originally known as Lawn Road Flats, the Isokon Building, is an elegant art deco building, commissioned by Jack Prichard, owner of the Isokon furniture company, and designed by Wells Coates. Opening in 1934, the flats were small, minimalist in design and came furnished. Also it was the first time reinforced concrete was used in British domestic architecture. The flats also had its own bar and restaurant, which was at one time was run by Philip Harben, one of the first TV cooks. For 2021, there is a special Agatha Christie exhibition, which is utterly fascinating. The gallery is open Saturdays and Sundays only, 11am till 4pm. It closes during the winter months. It's free to visit.

Transport & Parking

The Isokon Gallery is in Hampstead, North London. The gallery is near 2 stations. Hampstead Heath Overground Station which has lifts and manual boarding ramps from platform to train. It's then a 5 - 10 minute level walk to the gallery. Belsize Park Underground Station on the Northern Line, which is not step free and is accessed by lift and stairs and then a 5 - 8 minute walk which will involve a noticeable but not steep slope. Bus number 24 to Hampstead, 46 to Paddington and C11 to Brent Cross stop at Lawn Road bus stop. This stop has a bus shelter and seating. It is then a 3 -5 minute level walk to the gallery. Please note the bus routes at this point are one-way. You may wish to re-join the bus at Lawn Road for 1 stop to take you to South End Green. In the opposite direct 24 to Pimlico, 46 to St Bartholomew's Hospital or C11 to Archway the nearest stop is South End Green bus stop (by Hampstead Heath Overground).

Access

The gallery is all on ground floor level. There is a slight step up at the entrance, see photo. Once inside it is all step free. Please be mindful the gallery is small but well laid out with information boards and objects. There is a reconstruction of the flat's dressing room and kitchen. There is also small video room with stools without back support. I'm sorry I can't remember if the video was captioned. At one end there is a freestanding table and chair with back support and stools.

Toilets

The toilet is not available at present due to covid precautions. I did not see it so unable to comment if it is accessible or not.

Staff

The staff were absolutely lovely and welcoming. Huge thank you to Ashleigh and Joan (hope I remembered your names correctly). We received a lovely welcome. I was offered a stool to sit on. They were both very knowledgeable about the building and the gallery. We had a wonderful chat about Agatha Christie's connections. Excellent customer service and made the visit extra special.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

It felt very safe visiting. Volunteers welcome everyone on arrival. Pre-booking is not required but there is a maximum of 6 people in the gallery at any one time. There is hand sanitisers at the entrance. Visitors are asked to were face masks. Groups are to stay together and social distance between groups. If you're getting back into going out after shielding this is a nice place to visit. The gallery is fascinating, its small and not too busy so it doesn't feel overwhelming and staff are welcoming and supportive. There is a wooden bench on the pavement outside the Isokon Building. Behind the gallery is the Isokon Building, this is a private residential space, with no public access so please be respectful of residence. There is no cafe in the gallery but there are a number of cafes and restaurants by Belsize Park Tube Station and at South End Green. I loved my visit. I've been previously and the exhibition is always fascinating. However, I am a huge Agatha Christie fan. Agatha lived there during World War II and this was her most prolific writing period, so it is a very special period of her life. The gallery has created a lovely display with Agatha Christie Limited and have some nice photos, some of which I haven't seen before, and lots of fascinating information. They also have at the entrance of copy of Agatha Christie's bust which features on the Agatha Christie Memorial, near Leicester Square, by Ben Twiston-Davies. It's a must do for all Christie fans. They have some nice Agatha related items in their gift shop. I treated myself to a And Then There Were None tea towel, washing up will never be the same again. Well worth visiting.

Photos