Two decades in the making, this youth culture museum will preserve and celebrate teenage life in Britain — marking it as the first of its kind.
The museum is set to open its doors in Spring 2026, showcasing the everyday histories of teenagers over the last century from bomb-site bike racers in post war London to acid house ravers of northern England.
The venue is made up of three gallery spaces with rotating displays dedicated to highlighting their permanent collections and archives, as well as allocated space for young creatives to exhibit their own work.
Jon Swinstead, CEO and founder of the Museum of Youth Culture, said: “We’re creating a space for stories that have often been overlooked but are essential to understanding who we are.
“Youth culture drives innovation, challenges norms, and creates communities — it’s one of the most powerful forces in society. That’s why it matters.
“This is more than a place to look back, it’s a space to participate, contribute, and shape the cultural narrative together.
“Camden has been synonymous with music and youth culture for decades, making it the natural home for the museum.”
Located behind Camden High Street, the museum can be found at St. Pancras Campus, Georgiana Street.
In a movement away from traditional museums and their ‘hush-hush corridors or stuffy programming’, this space wants sound systems, well-worn band t-shits and rave flyers.
Plans include a programme of hands-on educational music production workshops designed to inspire fresh ideas and collaboration from new talent, as well as a record shop, café, and a packed line up of exhibitions and community events.
This is not the first phase of the project, in 2013 Jamie Brett — the creative director of the museum — and Jon Swinstead started working together on PYMCA, a subculture photography archive.
From this they built the YOUTH CLUB archive, running pop-ups around the UK, before launching the official Museum of Youth Culture in 2018.
There is not yet an official opening date for the museum, but it is now set to open in Spring 2026.
Featured Image credit: Museum of Youth Culture
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