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British Library
Library
London
Has a stamp of approval from The Guardian and Londonist
"Wow, absolutely love the Reading Rooms."(14 Tips)
"usually not crowded exhibit of the Magna Carta"(7 Tips)
"Many original manuscripts are on displayed."(5 Tips)
"Good for informal meetings and has Business and IP centre resource."(5 Tips)
174 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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- café
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Gets hellishly busy and wi-fi quality is appalling at times, but where else you can get so much done?
Juli Foranna JulieroMay 14, 2013Visit sir John Ritblat Gallery.. Very interesting things such as Two of the three earliest and most important manuscripts of the entire bible in Greek from the 4th and 5th century
Megan McNishApril 8, 2015The Treasures of the British Library is a fantastic exhibit! And they have a nice café to get a pick me up before you're on your way again!
There is a "secret" lounge on the top floor where you can eat your own food. Avoid those exorbitant cafe prices.
Isha HartonoJanuary 18, 2016Great to get work done with cafe and free wifi. Only open till 8pm tho :(
Little ScrapesDecember 30, 2015Besides books, there's a rotating schedule of really interesting exhibitions.- Helen LawsonJuly 30, 2016It's a place of work and pleasure - reading rooms and exhibitions. I always like to swing by the treasures gallery when I'm passing.
Valentina CiolinoMarch 22, 2015Cloakroom is free but go a little ahead of time as the queue gets long!
All libraries need to be visited regularly and this is the mothership.
If it's a busy period, go for the Business and IP room, it's always quieter.
- meezan rahmanFebruary 27, 2016Wow, absolutely love the Reading Rooms. This is how every library should be.
- Hostelling InternationalAugust 8, 2011IF you are a book lover, do not miss British Library. Many original manuscripts are on displayed. - Srivannee (Canada)
Our digital company was built on the information and resources from this library. Loads of information for start-ups.
- Zoe StantonOctober 11, 2011Good for informal meetings and has Business and IP centre resource. You have to me a member to access reading rooms.
Good cafe selling good quality food and drink, but the service is painfully slow, abrupt and hopelessly disorganised.
Manic MynaMarch 16, 2018weird concert venue - sound was good even outside of the main zone between the stage amps and the mixing desk
Marwa KhalilJanuary 18, 2014Closes early in the weekend. Plus you need to allow at least one hour for major exhibitions.
If the reading rooms are busy there is always usually desk space in Business and IP floor 2 an the staff can move your books across
Terena BellJune 17, 2013The Magna Carts is up the first flight of stairs and to the left in the National Treasures room.
National Maritime MuseumJuly 11, 2011Houses the journal of ill-fated Antarctic explorer, Captain Scott (1868-1912), who joined his first ship aged 13. The final entry reads ‘for God’s sake look after our people’. Find your maritime story Read more
Liam ProvenSeptember 27, 2011It's the British Library! It needs no introduction. It's not as intimidating inside. Go in, have a wander round. It's free, historic and epic. Read more
Giuseppe SollazzoJuly 13, 2011There's a free water dispenser on the first floor. It can save you on a warm day.
Spotted by Locals - city guides by localsJuly 29, 2015Go and visit the permanent collection! It's free! Read more
For adventurers only: on Sunday try to stay in the building 5mins after closing time to finish your stuff on laptop and you'll be kicked out like a criminal! Heh
The English Language exhibit is superb - you will need at least an hour, maybe two. Look at the map of voice recordings in the UK... x
Try the business & IP, floor 2 for plenty of work space. Much less crowded than social science.
Aaron SavageMay 10, 2010I 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.
Cynthia SamuelsJanuary 24, 2012What a wonderful, silent place to work! Now I have a card for one year, too!
Hilmi RamlanMay 10, 2011The Business & IP centre is a Mecca for Ad Execs, Planners, Strategists and Creatives. Also for businesses/startups. Market research holy grail.
Adam SmithOctober 28, 2010The main Peyton and Byrne café is always packed and competition for a table can be vicious.
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Yes, we have a copy of just about every book ever published in Britain. But we also stage events and run exhibitions. We have free wi-fi too! Visit us soon.
Open until 8:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 9:30 AM–8:00 PM
- Fri
- 9:30 AM–6:00 PM
- Sat
- 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
- Sun
- 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
+44 1937 546060
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Wi-Fi
Yes
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