On 15 May 2026, the Museum of Youth Culture opens in Camden as the UK’s first permanent institution dedicated to preserving youth culture as a defining force in modern British history.
Founded in 1997 by Jon Swinstead, Jamie Brett joined in 2012, together developing the organisation as a simple photo archive in a shed. Photographs were gathered before they were lost. Flyers were saved from closing venues. What began as a grassroots act of preservation grew organically through community contribution into a nationally recognised archive – with thanks to National Lottery players and The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their support.
Where better to open than Camden – the free-thinking area of north London that has birthed so many different movements, styles of dress, and iconic bands and solo artists. Camden has been somewhat cleaned up but the atmosphere remains – and so do some of the venues. The Roundhouse still welcomes gig goers, ditto Koko, Dingwalls and Electric Ballroom while The Dublin Castle, a favourite haunt of Amy Winehouse, is still a decent place for a pint – and music venue too.
Says co-founder Jamie Brett: “Everything in this museum exists because people cared enough to save it. Flyers kept in drawers. Photos stored on hard drives. Stories shared before they disappeared. We’ve poured years into protecting this culture because it belongs to the people who built it. Giving it a permanent home is about honouring that effort.”
The Museum believes everyone has an important story to tell about their youth and invites the public to be part of the museum through the Grown up in Britain campaign. From the bomb-site Bicycle racers in post-war 1940s London, to the Acid House ravers of 1980s Northern England, the Museum of Youth Culture empowers the extraordinary everyday stories of growing up in Britain.
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