British Library
ADDRESS
96 Euston Road, King's Cross, London NW1 2DB
TELEPHONE
TWITTER
OPENING TIMES
Mon to Fri 9.30am-6pm, late night Tue till 8pm, Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm | Bank Holidays 11am-5pm | Tours: Mon, Wed & Fri 11am & 7pm, Sat 11am & 3pm
PRICES
FREE (Adult), FREE (Child) | Donations appreciated. Tours £6-£7 (Adults), £4.50-£5.50 (Concs).
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With over 150 million items, a copy of every publication produced in the UK and Ireland, artwork by artists such as Antony Gormley and Eduardo Paolozzi, and a host of historically momentous works - including the Magna Carta, the Gutenberg Bible, Shakespeare's First Folio and the Lindisfarne Gospels - a guided tour around the British Library is the best way to take it all in. This is, after all, the largest public building constructed in the United Kingdom in the 20th century and, as such, warrants a guided tour around its cavernous spaces. The library's guides really know their stuff and will open your eyes to this gargantuan repository. Of particular interest is the Diamond Sutra, the world's earliest dated printed book, and the only surviving copy of Beowulf. The King's Library - a three-storey glass tower - forms the centre-piece of the building both architecturally and in terms of its historic acquisitions. With 65,000 printed volumes, The King's Library refers to King George III, whose personal collection is on display here. Some of the tours include access to the reading rooms which is usually limited to those with passes. The library also has a lot to offer the casual visitor - exhibition galleries (mostly free) special exhibitions, events, films, musical performances and poetry readings. While you can explore for free, paying for a tour is more than worth it if you only have a few hours to take everything in.
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Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel from £166 28% off
Coram Street, WC1N | 8 minutes from British Library
This is a smart, modern hotel located in one of the Capital's oldest and most beautiful areas. Bloomsbury is a great place to stay since it's ... More
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel from £166 28% off
Coram Street, WC1N | 8 minutes from British Library
This is a smart, modern hotel located in one of the Capital's oldest and most beautiful areas. Bloomsbury is a great place to stay since it's ... More
Crowne Plaza Kings Cross
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
1 Kings Cross Road, WC1X | 12 minutes from British Library
Halfway between the City and the west End, the Bloomsbury area is an oasis of calm in the very heart of the capital. It's a lovely ... More
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
1 Kings Cross Road, WC1X | 12 minutes from British Library
Halfway between the City and the west End, the Bloomsbury area is an oasis of calm in the very heart of the capital. It's a lovely ... More
The Montague on the Gardens
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
15 Montague Street, WC1B | 13 minutes from British Library
Overlooking the gardens of Montague Garden Square, this sedate hotel has a peaceful feel even though the British Museum is right next door and Covent Garden's ... More
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel
15 Montague Street, WC1B | 13 minutes from British Library
Overlooking the gardens of Montague Garden Square, this sedate hotel has a peaceful feel even though the British Museum is right next door and Covent Garden's ... More
The Foundling Museum
London > Attractions > Museums
40 Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1N | 8 minutes from British Library
The Foundling Museum is one of London's real hidden treasures. Originally established in 1739 as a hospital which looked after abandoned children, the museum now tells ... More
London > Attractions > Museums
40 Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, London WC1N | 8 minutes from British Library
The Foundling Museum is one of London's real hidden treasures. Originally established in 1739 as a hospital which looked after abandoned children, the museum now tells ... More
London Canal Museum
London > Attractions > Museums
12-13 New Wharf Road, King's Cross, London N1 | 8 minutes from British Library
A trip to the Canal Museum reveals there's more to London's man-made waterways than just enjoying a day out in a narrow boat. You'll learn about ... More
London > Attractions > Museums
12-13 New Wharf Road, King's Cross, London N1 | 8 minutes from British Library
A trip to the Canal Museum reveals there's more to London's man-made waterways than just enjoying a day out in a narrow boat. You'll learn about ... More
Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
London > Attractions > Museums
Malet Place, University College London, Bloomsbury, London WC1E | 9 minutes from British Library
The Petrie Museum, located within University College London, is one of the largest and most fascinating collections of Egyptian archaeology anywhere in the world. There are ... More
London > Attractions > Museums
Malet Place, University College London, Bloomsbury, London WC1E | 9 minutes from British Library
The Petrie Museum, located within University College London, is one of the largest and most fascinating collections of Egyptian archaeology anywhere in the world. There are ... More
THE BEST
Sights and Attractions near British Library
The best museums, galleries, attractions near British Library
John Ritblat Gallery - Treasures of British Library
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
The British Library, 96 Euston Road, King's Cross, London NW1 | Same location as British Library
The John Ritblat Gallery contains a permanent display of over 200 of the British Library's greatest treasures. It includes documents which made and recorded history, ... More
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
The British Library, 96 Euston Road, King's Cross, London NW1 | Same location as British Library
The John Ritblat Gallery contains a permanent display of over 200 of the British Library's greatest treasures. It includes documents which made and recorded history, ... More
King's Cross Tunnel
London > Attractions >
1 Pancras Square, King's Boulevard, King's Cross, London N1C | 3 minutes from British Library
The 90 metre long pedestrian tunnel designed by Allies & Morrison, the architects who designed the masterplan for the entire King's Cross redevelopment, links St Pancras ... More
London > Attractions >
1 Pancras Square, King's Boulevard, King's Cross, London N1C | 3 minutes from British Library
The 90 metre long pedestrian tunnel designed by Allies & Morrison, the architects who designed the masterplan for the entire King's Cross redevelopment, links St Pancras ... More
St Pancras Church
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
Euston Road, Bloomsbury, London NW1 | 5 minutes from British Library
Completed in 1822, St Pancras Church was the most expensive church to be constructed since St Paul's was rebuilt after the Great Fire. This Greek Revival ... More
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
Euston Road, Bloomsbury, London NW1 | 5 minutes from British Library
Completed in 1822, St Pancras Church was the most expensive church to be constructed since St Paul's was rebuilt after the Great Fire. This Greek Revival ... More
King's Cross Theatre
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Cnr Of King's Boulevard And Goods Way, King's Cross, London N1C | 4 minutes from British Library
A purpose built 1,000-seat theatre, complete with a railway track and platforms, created especially for Mike Kenny's Olivier Award-winning adaptation of E. Nesbit's 'The Railway Children'. ... More
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Cnr Of King's Boulevard And Goods Way, King's Cross, London N1C | 4 minutes from British Library
A purpose built 1,000-seat theatre, complete with a railway track and platforms, created especially for Mike Kenny's Olivier Award-winning adaptation of E. Nesbit's 'The Railway Children'. ... More
Platform Theatre
London > Entertainment > Theatres
1 Handyside Street, King's Cross, London N1C | 5 minutes from British Library
Part of the University of the Arts London's award-winning campus for Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, Platform Theatre has four performance spaces and ... More
London > Entertainment > Theatres
1 Handyside Street, King's Cross, London N1C | 5 minutes from British Library
Part of the University of the Arts London's award-winning campus for Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, Platform Theatre has four performance spaces and ... More
Scala
London > Entertainment > Live Music
275 Pentonville Road, King's Cross, London N1 | 6 minutes from British Library
Housed inside the old King's Cross Cinema, the Scala might be a bit tattered around the edges but this only adds to its battered charm. The ... More
London > Entertainment > Live Music
275 Pentonville Road, King's Cross, London N1 | 6 minutes from British Library
Housed inside the old King's Cross Cinema, the Scala might be a bit tattered around the edges but this only adds to its battered charm. The ... More
Foyles St Pancras International
London > Shopping > Books
St Pancras International, Pancras Road, King's Cross, London NW1 | 1 minute from British Library
The family-run Foyles book shop has been in the book selling business since 1906. Books on a broad range of subjects from fiction and poetry to ... More
London > Shopping > Books
St Pancras International, Pancras Road, King's Cross, London NW1 | 1 minute from British Library
The family-run Foyles book shop has been in the book selling business since 1906. Books on a broad range of subjects from fiction and poetry to ... More
Sourced Market
London > Shopping > Markets
St Pancras International, King's Cross, London NW1 | 1 minute from British Library
Since opening in August 2009, the UK's first produce market to be located in a train station aims to bring the best from local and artisan ... More
London > Shopping > Markets
St Pancras International, King's Cross, London NW1 | 1 minute from British Library
Since opening in August 2009, the UK's first produce market to be located in a train station aims to bring the best from local and artisan ... More
Peyton & Byrne at St Pancras
London > Shopping > Delicatessens
Unit 11, The Undercroft, St Pancras International, King's Cross, London NW1 | 1 minute from British Library
Take a little piece of baked Britain with you when you travel from St Pancras by stocking up on cakes, tarts, biscuits and buns at Peyton ... More
London > Shopping > Delicatessens
Unit 11, The Undercroft, St Pancras International, King's Cross, London NW1 | 1 minute from British Library
Take a little piece of baked Britain with you when you travel from St Pancras by stocking up on cakes, tarts, biscuits and buns at Peyton ... More
THE BEST
Restaurants near British Library
What are the best dining options near British Library London?
Pizza Express
London > Restaurants > Italian restaurants
95 Euston Road, King's Cross, London NW1 | Same location as British Library
Pizza Express has become something of a London institution. Serving consistently excellent Italian pizzas quickly in pleasant unfussy surroundings, this is always a convenient and acceptable ... More
London > Restaurants > Italian restaurants
95 Euston Road, King's Cross, London NW1 | Same location as British Library
Pizza Express has become something of a London institution. Serving consistently excellent Italian pizzas quickly in pleasant unfussy surroundings, this is always a convenient and acceptable ... More
St Pancras Renaissance Afternoon Tea: Hansom Lounge
London > Restaurants > Afternoon Tea
Euston Road, King's Cross, London NW1 | 1 minute from British Library
The Hansom Lounge at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel occupies the former cobbled driveway where Hansom cabs used to drop off ... More
London > Restaurants > Afternoon Tea
Euston Road, King's Cross, London NW1 | 1 minute from British Library
The Hansom Lounge at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel occupies the former cobbled driveway where Hansom cabs used to drop off ... More
Yo! Sushi
London > Restaurants > Japanese restaurants
Unit 27, The Circle, St Pancras Station, King's Cross, London N1C | 1 minute from British Library
For anyone who needs a fast, healthy lunch Yo! Sushi is the place to go. Its conveyor belt service means you've always got plenty of choice, ... More
London > Restaurants > Japanese restaurants
Unit 27, The Circle, St Pancras Station, King's Cross, London N1C | 1 minute from British Library
For anyone who needs a fast, healthy lunch Yo! Sushi is the place to go. Its conveyor belt service means you've always got plenty of choice, ... More
The Place
London > Education > Evening Classes
17 Duke's Road, Bloomsbury, London WC1H | 4 minutes from British Library
London's specialist venue for contemporary dance, The Place plays a role in every aspect of this fast-growing art form. The London Contemporary Dance School offers degrees ... More
London > Education > Evening Classes
17 Duke's Road, Bloomsbury, London WC1H | 4 minutes from British Library
London's specialist venue for contemporary dance, The Place plays a role in every aspect of this fast-growing art form. The London Contemporary Dance School offers degrees ... More
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
London > Education > Universities and Colleges
Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, Holborn, London N1C | 5 minutes from British Library
One of the premier arts colleges in the world, St Martins accepts only a few talented students each year, and is very well regarded in the ... More
London > Education > Universities and Colleges
Granary Building, 1 Granary Square, Holborn, London N1C | 5 minutes from British Library
One of the premier arts colleges in the world, St Martins accepts only a few talented students each year, and is very well regarded in the ... More
The Bartlett School of Architecture
London > Education > Universities and Colleges
Wates House, 22 Gordon Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1H | 7 minutes from British Library
The Bartlett School of Architecture, on the corner of Huntley Street and Capper Street, is part of The Bartlett: UCL's global faculty of the built environment. ... More
London > Education > Universities and Colleges
Wates House, 22 Gordon Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1H | 7 minutes from British Library
The Bartlett School of Architecture, on the corner of Huntley Street and Capper Street, is part of The Bartlett: UCL's global faculty of the built environment. ... More
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Leisure near British Library
British Library gyms, sporting activities, health & beauty and fitness.
St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel Spa
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Road, King's Cross, London NW1 | 1 minute from British Library
Taking inspiration from its surroundings and the great train journeys that set off from St Pancras station, the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel Spa pays homage ... More
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Road, King's Cross, London NW1 | 1 minute from British Library
Taking inspiration from its surroundings and the great train journeys that set off from St Pancras station, the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel Spa pays homage ... More
Frame King's Cross
London > Leisure >
Arthouse, 1 York Way, N1C | 9 minutes from British Library
With Frame founders Pip Black and Joan Murphy set out to create a fun approach to fitness. What started out as a Shoreditch ... More
London > Leisure >
Arthouse, 1 York Way, N1C | 9 minutes from British Library
With Frame founders Pip Black and Joan Murphy set out to create a fun approach to fitness. What started out as a Shoreditch ... More
Dolphin Swimming Club
London > Leisure > Activities
U of L Pool, Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E | 10 minutes from British Library
Swimming lessons for children and aquaphobic adults. This is one of the more popular swimming schools in London, and one of the most long-running, with over ... More
London > Leisure > Activities
U of L Pool, Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E | 10 minutes from British Library
Swimming lessons for children and aquaphobic adults. This is one of the more popular swimming schools in London, and one of the most long-running, with over ... More
The Betjeman Arms
London > Restaurants > Gastropub
Unit 53, St. Pancras International, King's Cross, London NW1 | 1 minute from British Library
Gastropub... More
London > Restaurants > Gastropub
Unit 53, St. Pancras International, King's Cross, London NW1 | 1 minute from British Library
Gastropub... More
The Harrison
London > Nightlife > Pubs
28 Harrison Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1H | 6 minutes from British Library
Originally built in the 1880s by Samuel Harrison to refresh the workers in his shoe factory, The Harrison pub's current building dates back to 1934. Owned ... More
London > Nightlife > Pubs
28 Harrison Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1H | 6 minutes from British Library
Originally built in the 1880s by Samuel Harrison to refresh the workers in his shoe factory, The Harrison pub's current building dates back to 1934. Owned ... More
Marquis Cornwallis
London > Nightlife > Pubs
31 Marchmont Street, WC1N | 7 minutes from British Library
Always a popular choice for local workers and tourists taking in the delights of Bloomsbury, Marquis Cornwallis , located on Marchmont Street, close ... More
London > Nightlife > Pubs
31 Marchmont Street, WC1N | 7 minutes from British Library
Always a popular choice for local workers and tourists taking in the delights of Bloomsbury, Marquis Cornwallis , located on Marchmont Street, close ... More
THE BEST
Nightlife near British Library
British Library clubs, bars, cabaret nights, casinos and interesting nightlife.
George's Bar
London > Nightlife > Bars
St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Road, NW1 | 1 minute from British Library
Following a major redesign, the bar within The Gilbert Scott restaurant reopened as George's Bar in early 2018. Marcus Wareing's latest tribute to the building's original ... More
London > Nightlife > Bars
St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Road, NW1 | 1 minute from British Library
Following a major redesign, the bar within The Gilbert Scott restaurant reopened as George's Bar in early 2018. Marcus Wareing's latest tribute to the building's original ... More
The Hansom Bar, St Pancras Renaissance Hotel
London > Nightlife > Bars
St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Road, NW1 | 1 minute from British Library
Adding to its fantastic line-up of destination bars and restaurants, which includes The Gilbert Scott and The Booking Office, the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel launched ... More
London > Nightlife > Bars
St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Road, NW1 | 1 minute from British Library
Adding to its fantastic line-up of destination bars and restaurants, which includes The Gilbert Scott and The Booking Office, the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel launched ... More
Cosy Kettle
London > Nightlife > Bars
60 Chalton Street, King's Cross, London NW1 | 2 minutes from British Library
Hidden below the bustling Somers Town Coffee House, Cosy Kettle offers an intimate sanctuary away from the pub crowd. Opened in late 2013, the bar is ... More
London > Nightlife > Bars
60 Chalton Street, King's Cross, London NW1 | 2 minutes from British Library
Hidden below the bustling Somers Town Coffee House, Cosy Kettle offers an intimate sanctuary away from the pub crowd. Opened in late 2013, the bar is ... More
THE BEST
Meeting venue hire near British Library
Where to have your meeting, conference, exhibition, private dining or training course near British Library.
British Library Conference Centre
London > Business > Venue Hire
96 Euston Road, King's Cross, London NW1 | Same location as British Library
As the national library of the United Kingdom the British Library is renowned for its world class collection of books but its Conference Centre is something ... More
London > Business > Venue Hire
96 Euston Road, King's Cross, London NW1 | Same location as British Library
As the national library of the United Kingdom the British Library is renowned for its world class collection of books but its Conference Centre is something ... More
Friends House
London > Business > Venue Hire
173-177 Euston Road, Bloomsbury, London NW1 | 7 minutes from British Library
The historic headquarters of Quakers in Britain, Friends House in Euston has 23 function rooms including a large Meeting Hall which seats up to 1,100 guests. ... More
London > Business > Venue Hire
173-177 Euston Road, Bloomsbury, London NW1 | 7 minutes from British Library
The historic headquarters of Quakers in Britain, Friends House in Euston has 23 function rooms including a large Meeting Hall which seats up to 1,100 guests. ... More
Kings Place
London > Business > Venue Hire
90 York Way, King's Cross, London N1 | 7 minutes from British Library
Just 150 metres from King's Cross and St Pancras stations, the Dixon-Jones designed Kings Place offers conference organisers two auditoriums, two art galleries and a wide ... More
London > Business > Venue Hire
90 York Way, King's Cross, London N1 | 7 minutes from British Library
Just 150 metres from King's Cross and St Pancras stations, the Dixon-Jones designed Kings Place offers conference organisers two auditoriums, two art galleries and a wide ... More
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Hotels near British Library
From cheap budget places to stay to luxury 5 star hotels see our deals for British Library hotels, including The Montague on the Gardens from 0% off. |
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