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British Library

British Library

Library
London
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9.2/10
1,031
ratings
  • Stars
    The experts at Time Out London and The Guardian recommend this place
    • Time Out London
    • The Guardian
  • Tips
    meezan r.
    "Wow, absolutely love the Reading Rooms."(14 Tips)
    Emily S.
    "usually not crowded exhibit of the Magna Carta"(7 Tips)
    britishlibrary
    "Royal Manuscripts exhibition"(5 Tips)
    Zoe S.
    "Good for informal meetings and has Business and IP centre resource."(5 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon174 Tips and reviews
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  • Londonist
    LondonistOctober 14, 2010
    Been here 25+ times
    Head into the permanent exhibition to see original hand-written lyrics to Hard Day's Night scrawled by Lennon on the back of a first birthday card to his son.
  • Travis C.
    Travis CombelAugust 15, 2014
    The historical documents etc. are very interesting.
  • Marc T.heart icon on user image
    Marc TunguzJune 20, 2017
    Lots of book. Sadly you'll need a pass to read them.
  • Cynthia S.
    Cynthia SamuelsJanuary 24, 2012
    What a wonderful, silent place to work! Now I have a card for one year, too!
  • Giuseppe S.
    Giuseppe SollazzoJuly 13, 2011
    There's a free water dispenser on the first floor. It can save you on a warm day.
  • Bronwyn D.
    Bronwyn DurandJanuary 27, 2010
    Amazing place for knowledge junkies. The business and IP centre is invaluable for startups both as an info source and networking possibilities. Read more
  • Danilo C.
    Danilo Crnogorac [SU7]September 3, 2014
    http://zvukk.blogspot.com/2014/05/zvucna-arhiva-britanske-biblioteke.html
  • Alan M.heart icon on user image
    Alan MortonNovember 22, 2015
    Reading rooms and areas restricted to members only
  • Aaron S.
    Aaron SavageMay 10, 2010
    I wouldn't bother with the restaurant, the food went downhill dramatically over the last year. Try the independent cafes and deli places around York Way and Kings Cross Road.
  • Sheila H.
    Sheila HozhabriDecember 8, 2010
    Been here 10+ times
    Try the business & IP, floor 2 for plenty of work space. Much less crowded than social science.
  • Wednesdayheart icon on user image
    WednesdayAugust 27, 2020
    Must visit.
  • Jenn P.heart icon on user image
    Jenn PJuly 1, 2015
    Really lovely modern library
  • Bernhard S.
    Love also the quirky gift shop and knowledge junkies :-)
  • Jamie C.
    Jamie ClagueNovember 17, 2010
    If you're waiting for a train at Kings Cross or St Pancras the library is well worth a visit
  • Alex B.
    Alex BilbieSeptember 13, 2011
    The toffee and banana muffins at the cafe are great!
  • Abraam A.heart icon on user image
    Abraam ArmApril 10, 2019
    Large but busy
  • Aqua G.heart icon on user image
    Aqua GirlJune 8, 2015
    Great for working in style
  • Christine W.
    Christine WongJanuary 28, 2014
    Go look at the original Alice in wonderland on display!!!
  • Sean I.heart icon on user image
    Sean InsigneJanuary 9, 2015
    Been here 10+ times
    Focus and determination!
  • Antoine A.heart icon on user image
    Antoine AdamNovember 4, 2013
    Opening times and closures
  • Gagan S.heart icon on user image
    Gagan SinghAugust 5, 2015
    Free WiFi and grand library.
  • Aquiles B.
    Aquiles BraynerJuly 4, 2011
    Been here 5+ times
    Check also the Growing Knowledge exhibition to discover more about digital scholarship tools...
  • AnyTrip
    AnyTripMay 13, 2011
    Register for a reader's pass and gain access to thousands of books and documents.
  • Anton O.
    Anton OrdApril 24, 2013
    Free wifi and power sockets Apple users!
  • Matt S.
    Matt SFebruary 2, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    Don't miss the illuminated manuscripts exhibition.
  • Gregg B.
    Gregg BrownOctober 22, 2011
    Been here 5+ times
    The coffee from the inside café is exceptionally good.
  • Cla C.heart icon on user image
    Cla ClaNovember 6, 2018
    Worth a tour
  • JaeT .
    JaeT 👧😚May 23, 2013
    It has the coolest facade!
  • Gagan S.heart icon on user image
    Gagan SinghAugust 5, 2015
    Reading rooms are very nice here.
  • Matt S.
    Matt SOctober 3, 2012
    Been here 5+ times
    Kerouac's On The Road exhibition from 4 Oct is worth a look
  • James W.
    James WhatleyAugust 15, 2014
    The comic book exhibition isn't as good as I hoped it'd be. The shop is better... :/
  • Rosemie C.
    Rosemie CallewaertAugust 9, 2014
    Enjoy books, WiFi & coffee
  • Søren L.
    Søren Leth-NissenJuly 16, 2011
    Check out the Magna Carta and start thinking. It is worthwhile!
  • Adam S.
    Adam SmithOctober 28, 2010
    The main Peyton and Byrne café is always packed and competition for a table can be vicious.
  • Stephanie
    StephanieNovember 1, 2011
    Been here 5+ times
    Prepare to give the blood type and sex of your third unborn child in order to receive a reader card.
  • Tom S.
    Tom SavoryMay 21, 2013
    Check out the excellent Patrick Hughes apt reverspective!
  • Diana Z.heart icon on user image
    Diana ZhangMay 27, 2018
    Nice reading rooms
  • Howard W.heart icon on user image
    Howard WrigjtMarch 25, 2016
    Cafe good but very busy
  • Olga P.
    Olga PavlovskyMay 24, 2013
    If you need to work here, beware the wifi is very jumpy. Obviously, the busier it is, the worse it gets...
  • Richardheart icon on user image
    RichardFebruary 28, 2016
    See an original Magna Carta
  • 애란 최.heart icon on user image
    애란 최May 5, 2017
    Too bad you need a readers pass to access the reading rooms.
  • rahim
    rahimOctober 23, 2013
    Very useful for university students
  • Paul D.
    Paul DorsainvilJanuary 28, 2011
    Go read in the top floor, Friend's room...Great couches and views
  • Lydia A.
    Lydia A.January 25, 2010
    Don't miss the Lindisfarne Gospels & Cotton Nero A.X - probably the library's greatest treasures!
  • Cj A.heart icon on user image
    Cj AquinoJanuary 7, 2016
    Love the vibe
  • Rod V.heart icon on user image
    Rod VTMarch 1, 2015
    The one and only!
  • Nafis Tahshish I.heart icon on user image
    Nafis Tahshish IslamAugust 13, 2015
    The reading rooms.
  • Kristyn U.heart icon on user image
    Kristyn UlandayJuly 28, 2015
    SO MANY BOOKS. NERD HEAVEN.
  • Klara V.heart icon on user image
    Klara VargaDecember 29, 2015
    They were closed, but they allowed booking guided tour. I was disappointed.
  • Joan L.
    Joan L.October 8, 2009
    at Kings Cross; get there early for workspace and free wifi. Goes wonky by 2:30PM, otherwise fab.
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