British Library

Photo of the courtyard of the British Library showing a modernist clocktower in the background. Photo of the courtyard of the British Library showing a modernist clocktower in the background.
Photo by me. There's an Origin Coffee kiosk here!

While the British Library is mostly, well, a library, replete with reading rooms and quiet researchers there are frequent events for the general public.

The permanent exhibition - Treasures - lets you see famous manuscripts from throughout history, from the Magna Carta to lyrics from The Beatles.

Free - Paid exhibitions

www.bl.uk

Exhibitions

Building Tour

Friendly guides share stories about how millions of books are looked after, showing visitors around the Library’s reading rooms and hidden spaces.

Free

Architecture

Conservation Studio Tour

Get an inside look at how experts care for rare books and items, see real conservation work in action and learn the craft behind preserving history.

Free

Treasures Tour

Visitors can see the huge atlas, King George III’s library and Magna Carta while hearing lively stories and facts shared by the Library team.

Free

Social History

Secret Maps

See centuries-old maps showing how hidden places and secret knowledge have shaped our view of the world, with some maps even made to mislead.

Free

Until

Social History

Online Study Day: Introduction to Latin

Learners join Dr Antony Makrinos online to study Latin basics, from pronunciation and verbs to syntax and sentence practice, in a friendly beginner session.

Free