Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration

The Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration stands on the grounds of New River Head, a site that served as the vital heartbeat of London’s water supply for over three centuries. Starting in 1613, this location acted as the terminus for the New River, an artificial waterway engineered to bring clean water into the city. For decades, the site operated as a bustling industrial complex, housing massive steam-powered engines and pumping equipment that pushed water to an ever-expanding population.