The British Library

The British Library is a fantastic place to visit, especially for tourists and anyone interested in history. It is home to truly unique collections such as the Magna Carta, Shakespeare’s works and items linked to the Beatles, with some artefacts dating back over 2000 years. It is especially brilliant for people who enjoy learning about history and culture, as there is so much to see and explore. The location is excellent too, right next to St Pancras and King’s Cross, making it very easy to access. The library is not only for sightseeing. It is also a great space for studying or working, with plenty of seating areas and lots of cafés available. It blends rich history with a modern and welcoming environment beautifully. A must visit landmark that combines heritage, learning and modern facilities all in one place.

The British Library is always a pleasure to visit with the exhibitions and also the Sacred Texts on display. I went to get my readers pass, waited in the queue for about 30 minutes, but all was quite efficient. Really happy to get my pass. Next will be getting stuck into some of the past manuscripts related to Archery, for my upcoming book I'm researching for and also to build my research on Mughal Archery, which is still an under researched topic. Highly recommend a visit, whether for research, to do some queit work or just to take the children to create the love of books..

A library may not typically be on a tourist’s must-see list, but the Treasures Gallery at the British Library is well worth a stop on your visit to London. This free, permanent exhibition showcases some of the world’s most iconic works, including Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks, Beethoven’s music books, the Beatles’ handwritten lyric notes, the Magna Carta, and the Gutenberg Bible - offering a rare chance to see these remarkable artifacts from across cultures and centuries up close. Highly recommended!

The British Library is always a pleasure to visit and undertake research. The system is well organised and one can visit a number of rooms and order documents and books. There is also a newsroom for micro films of many publications. There are cafes and a restaurant here which have some good quality food and drinks. There is also free WiFi.

I am a big fan of visiting libraries as a tourist and this one is definitely a must see. Grand and beautiful with historical pieces and nice exhibits. It’s also a very nice building and only some temporary exhibitions require a paid ticket. Definitely worth a quick stop for those visiting and who are in the neighbourhood.

The facility is amazing, but I just wholeheartedly hope that the new online system they’re switching to is better. The current one does not make it clear which volumes from book collections are available in the London Unit or in the Boston Bar unit. Also, it was just when I was inside the engineering library that a slightly rude librarian explained to me that all books older than 10 years are taken to the Boston Bar unit. This information (that is at least not easily available online) caught me completely off guard and I had to visit the Boston Bar unit, that was a very pleasant experience. Also, visiting for the first time is a bit chaotic and a “tutorial for first timers” poster at the entrance would already be very useful. Just wish that the costumer experience was better, since the free access to the gigantic collection to the whole world is just amazing.

This is a wonderful place to wander around and enjoy some of the literature and writing from history. There are lots of people studying here at the many desks and areas provided. There are plenty of bathrooms, eateries and seating here. I thought there might be a little more in the exhibition room, but what they do have, is very interesting.

Architect lovers, Book Fans definitely come here for study, research or wonder lust. A real treasure of books and knowledge. No worry if you are hungry or thirsty as there are at least 2 places for Coffee shop, ice cream, light lunch with reasonable price and nice services. High speed wifi & clean WC. Love love love 😇

Would definitely recommend checking out the British library at least once! It's a beautiful building with a lot of bookd and exhibits, as well as a little coffee shop. If you plan on seeing any of the actual exhibits or checking out the areas that actually house the books, you'll need to sign up for one of their cards. I also can't really imagine getting much work or studying done here. It can be pretty difficult to find a seat and it's so loud and busy that you may be better off going somewhere else.

As a history buff, avid reader, and past library fundraiser, there is no way I could skip a visit to the British Library. We enjoyed roaming the floors during an unexpected rain shower, and enjoyed all the historical tomes exhibited here. We did not sign up for cards, and therefor did not get to explore the rooms or stacks, but we did enjoy our walk around. During college (as a history major), it was frequently joked that you haven't really researched in a library if you haven't wound up making out in the stacks... well, after a day of research, I enjoyed some fun pictures and 'making out' with my husband, making this a thoroughly educational stop in our London adventure.

Great place to visit in Camden. There is also a cafe inside the library. Free to see the collection but tickets are purchased for special exhibits.

Absolutely worth a stop in, if you have 20min or 2 hours. We regrettably didn't have much time here. We were going between King's Cross Station and London Euston on a transit day, with just about 20min of extra time, and The British Library happens to be in between. Fortunately, this wasn't my first time visiting so a "speed run" of the treasures wasn't as much of a travesty. It IS doable though! Incredible and important collection of papered artifacts spanning literature, politics, religion, music, art, science, and more. My favorites to see where Shakespeare first folios, hand written lyrics drafts by The Beatles, the fourth print of The Bible, and the famous Magna Carta. These are all located in a single room fairly close to the entrance. With more time, I would have loved to explore the rest of the library as well. Beautiful building.

If you're a fan of historical works or literature, a visit to the British library is a must-stop destination. First, it's free to the public and offers a nice respite from warm weather (or a drizzly day). Second, the Masterworks collection is the only room for a visit (takes about 1 hour if it's not crowded). Where else can you see original versions of Shakespeare's folios, lyrics by the Beatles, Tyndale's Bible, and the Magna Carta (from 1225 AD)? The power and influence of British culture is most evident in literature. A visit here will make you realize how profound that influence is to this day. Although people are mortal and temporary, it's amazing how written ideas, laws, and music have had such a profound impact across many generations. One tip is try out the second floor restaurant in the back of the library. It's not as crowded as the front lobby cafe and provides you with similar options for coffee, snacks, or lunch (if you wish). The open windows in the back of the restaurant provide sunlight and a lovely view of the other sections of the British Library complex.

Awesome place to visit. A rotating exhibit hall features different exhibits throughout the year with a fascinating permanent exhibit downstairs featuring original Works by Shakespeare, illustrated ancient texts and writings. It's free to get in and see the permanent exhibit-the rotating exhibit costs a minor fee. They have a cloak room where you can store your stuff and research facilities upstairs. Their bookstore is the best with reprints of books from their archives. Here you can find reasonably priced paperbacks featuring the first female detective in a crime novel and other treasures. Their store is a must see for all book lovers. A favorite stop when I'm in London!

If you are a book lover, don't miss the British Library on your visit to London. The exhibit consists of a small gallery on the upper level of the ground floor, and while there are plenty of amazing artifacts, make sure you don't miss the Magna Carta! Other pieces include a letter by David Hume, Jane Austen's travel writing desk, and William Tyndale's Bible! We were able to see everything except for the paid exhibitions in just under an hour. If you are looking for somewhere to study in London, this is a good option. There are plenty of tables and chairs with lights and chargers, as well as a café and restaurant.

Review is for summer 2019: Yes, you too can visit a library whilst on holiday, training in the city, or as a local. This place is massive! I thoroughly appreciated the sitting space with free wifi to rest my aching feet, and so it appears others do too! It is conveniently located just upon the main entry to the library and just before the private reserve section. Thanks to 'yelp', I discovered visiting the private reserve it a MUST, and does not disappoint. Be aware, others seem to know this is a must see and thus it is inevitable bumps into 'loiters' will also be your experience. The room is dimmed which really helps to highlight the wonderful displays of book artifacts! What a fantastic experience, and yes it is free! No photos allowed in this section

The British Library is such a great library to explore! The Gallery on the first floor is fantastic, it includes some handwritten Beatles lyrics, handwritten Sylvia Plath poems, Jane Austen's writing desk, Shakespeare's First Folio, and the Magna Carta. The gift shop was also amazing! There's a selection of books, trinkets, postcards, and basically anything a book lover would enjoy. My only negative is how busy the library always is. I have been here on different days and times, and each time I visited there were no places to sit and do homework. Although there are TONS of seating, every time I went the seating was all filled up. That was a major bummer because I would have loved to study and read here.

This is a neat little museum. Not a ton of artifacts but what is on display is really cool. Decent interpretive content but a lot of the stuff is so famous, not much background is needed. Definitely worth checking out.

Wow! This library is not your average library! It is more of a museum and for good reason. First off, when you walk in, it is nice and cool. That was great on a very hot day. The entrance was grand and beautiful. I will be completely honest.....We came in for one exhibit only and I wish we would have had more time to spend a full day wandering around the library. When you walk in, on the right is the Treasures Gallery. The Treasures Gallery is, what feels like it should be a once in a lifetime experience. I wish I could have taken pictures but it is not allowed. So what is so great about the Treasures Gallery? Well, it literally holds some of the most amazing and priceless treasures in the world. Just some of the items you can find: Original Beatles lyrics, writings and drawings. Copies of the Magna Carta, a 16th century Japanese scroll, beautiful and intricate religious works such as the Quran and Torah in many formats. Original music by Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart. An original manuscript by Jane Austen. A letter from Gandhi, Works by William Shakespeare. There are intricately drawn ancient maps, drawings and scientific books. There are letters written by previous monarch's, drawings by Leonardo Da'Vinci, There are dozens of other documents, drawings, books, letters, sheet music and manuscripts. I could not name all of them if I tried. It was an amazing experience to be so close to such amazing pieces of work that have shaped the society we are today. It leaves you in awe, literally. The room is dark, cool and has some places to sit down. It's really nice to just sit and think about the amazing pieces of work you are among. We went on a Sunday afternoon, it was not overly crowded and there is no time limit you can be in the exhibits. You can stay from opening to close if you wanted to. The library is free. It was great to have a free attraction, but to have a free attraction that gives you such access to amazing pieces of work is exceptional and truly makes the library a treasure in its own right. The library is very large and we didn't have time to go all the way through it, you can easily spend all day in the library and I would love to go back.

A great spot to stop in while checking out the city. The library is stunning. They have a great exhibition featuring their rare items, like the Magna Carta, copy of the Canterbury Tales, etc, which is free to the public.

Of all of the places I visited in London and the surrounding area this was one of my favorite places. This library is amazing, there aren't really words to describe it. I first learned about the library while watching a Rick Steeves episode and decided that the treasures room would be somewhere I'd really like to visit. First of all the library is free, which is amazing in it's own right. Most places want to make money so badly they charge crazy amounts to see less than you can see in the treasure room. The items you can see are one of a kind, priceless items. The only sad part was no pictures can be taken, totally understandable, but still :( Some of my favorite items to see were the Magna Carta, the Papal Bull (annulling the Magna Carta), original works by Da Vinci, Mozart, Chopin, the Beeteles, Jane Austin, Shakespeare, and amazing bibles. One dating to the year 400. There are letters written by Kings and Queens, and scrolls that date back almost 2000 years. These types of items cannot be seen in most places but to have one large collection in one room was amazing. It leaves you feeling speechless humbled to be with these documents. The treasures room itself is very easy to find and directly to the left when you enter the library. It was a very nice, cool and dry room. I particularly enjoyed it since I visited during a heat wave. This room provided some much needed relief. There are also places to sit and relax in the room. The library is very easy to get to and close to Kings Cross/St Pancras Station. It was less than a 5 minute walk. If you have the opportunity to visit do not pass it up. It was by far one of the most interesting places I visited.

Stepping inside this place felt incredibly overwhelming at first with all the people hurrying about, the seemingly never-ending hallways around every corner, and the mighty tall ceilings. There are also numerous exhibits scattered around the museum- including one that houses the Magna Carta. Despite the surprisingly large number of users connected to the internet on a Saturday, the WiFi worked flawlessly. And if you're thirsty or need an extra boost of caffeine, there's a café on the bottom floor to solve that problem. I feel like I barely scratched the surface of what's here so I will definitely be coming back to explore some more.

What an experience to see such literary originals and classics! This is another surreal moment if you have grown up studying or living in Western culture. From the Magna Carta to Shakespeare you will see some iconic pieces on display! I recommend looking at the free Rick Steves audioguides before your visit to download so you can listen as you look at the pieces on display - some of them do rotate to mentally prepare for that in case what you've been dying to see isn't currently on rotation.

This place is magnificent. I can't believe I got to see the Magna Carta, things from Ghandi, Chopin, The Beatles, as well as a letter from Queen Victoria stating how she didn't support women voting. It was absolutely enthralling. The library in the center is just awe inspiring to see. The staff is friendly. No pictures are allowed inside the main room that houses all the cool stuff, but take some mental pictures. Definitely work this into your vacation because it is a gem not to be missed.

The British Library is a magnificent public building great for reading and working. When I visited (during COVID), actually checking out books didn't seem to be that normal... but instead there were tons of desks and bright rooms for working quietly away on a laptop. It's great if you like the coffee shop vibe but would rather come to a large (and free) working space. They also feature a couple museum-like exhibitions. In the primary permanent hall, you can view historic texts from the ages, such as the original Magna Carta, original Bible translations from millennia ago, and original scores and notes from famous musicians from Beethoven to the Beatles. It's not a big activity (just 30 minutes to see and read it all), but pretty neat. Overall a nice place for both historical tourism as well as quiet reading or working.

One of the very best libraries in the world. With a reader's ticket, you can access medieval manuscripts, modern microfilm, or books and articles from around the world. In the treasures room, see originals created by Shakespeare, the Beatles, or J.K. Rowling. Visit a special exhibit (like the current one on Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms) to see more priceless artifacts. Truly one of the great places in London.

The British Library is the largest library in the world with over 170 million catalogued items. There are over 14 million books, as well as historical manuscripts and other significant items that date back 4,000 years ago. As a major research library, the British Library holds not only rare books and manuscripts but also recordings, newspapers, scripts, patents, maps, stamps, drawings, and many other print and digital items. And did I mention that it's FREE? That's right - the largest library in the world is free to the public. The exhibition is amazing. There are some incredible manuscripts in here, such as the Diamond Sutra, the Magna Carta, two Gutenberg Bibles, Canterbury Tales, Shakespeare's First Folio, da Vinci's notebook, the sole surviving manuscript copy of Beowulf, and so, so much more. There are also musical scores by Mozart and Beethoven, as well as the Beatles. There's a plethora of items to check out at the exhibition. You can't take pictures, but it's a nice departure and allows you to fully immerse yourself in reading about the historical items here. In addition, there are other rotating exhibits and events. For instance when I went, they had a Harry Potter A History of Magic event. There are 11 reading rooms, each specializing in a different area. These reading rooms are open to anyone who needs access to the library's collection and services. You'll just need to obtain a Reader Pass. One of my favorite things about the British Library is the wall of books and manuscripts from King George III's library. It's a breathtaking sight. A must in London! I would highly recommend checking out the British Library.

I wasn't sure what I'd find here, but I certainly didn't expect what I saw. We walk in and the library is giant, with escalators leading up to floors and floors of books and exhibits. The English Language Exhibit was really interesting, displaying the birth and evolution of English, English slang throughout regions, the first English-printed bible, audio of people speaking from different regions of the UK... The displays were endless. The coolest thing I learned about was the letter "H." Have you ever wondered why the "H" is silent in words like "honor" and "hour" and "honest"? Apparently, pronouncing the "H" sound was indicative of lower class. The rich therefore avoided pronouncing the "H" in many words, leading to the pronunciation of what we know now. Crazy, eh? I also saw the amazing exhibit of books like the giant book of birds in which each bird is drawn to size (the book was about the size of me and more!). I saw the Magna Carta, the first printed bible, other religious documents. The library has an amazing collection of important document and books from all different cultures. I could not help but drop my jaw a few times and simply be in awe of it all. I enjoyed the "Alice in Wonderland" section, showing the different takes on the original piece and the evolution of Alice to what we typically see her as now. Amazing.

I do agree that the British Library is "one of the great libraries of the world". I certainly did not expect to find some of the greatest treasures of the world at this public library in the heart of London. In the library you can view original documents such as the Magna Carta, first bible prints, illuminated manuscripts. hand written music scores such as Borelo and Messiah, da Vinci's notebook, original manuscript of Lewis Carroll and Virginia Wolfe etc... It was like a museum!!! While we were there, we saw a special exhibit called "Magnificent Maps" which explained how maps used to be a form of "art" before 1800 and maps in the form of art was necessary to convey information. It was a very interesting exhibit, especially my husband loves maps and he has his own collection going at home. I caught myself referring to this library a "museum" as it was like a museum. I wish I lived close to this kind of library to study or just read some books and hang out. Seems to have a free wi-fi but we didn't try.

The British Library doesn't Need a review from Me, since it's world famous. However, I figured I would share my experience with the "Unfinished business" exhibit during CoVId. It was a fun and interesting exhibit with some thought provoking pieces on display, and a one way walking system. Getting through the gates was a bit time consuming, so I would come maybe 5 min early to your ticket booking. There were quite a few people in the gallery with me, but I also had plenty of space (most of the time). Overall, I felt that this was an educational and pretty COVID safe activity. I gained a newfound respect for some of the things I take for granted, and learned a lot about the more contemporary history of feminism in the UK. I appreciated that they had both earlier and more recent approaches to the issue of women's rights and gender equity, and that they highlighted current key theorists, musicians, celebrities, and publications. I personally would have loved to see an even larger exhibit for this, with a larger representation of other parts of the UK (seemed primarily focused on London).

Due to the coronavirus situation, the Reading Rooms and public spaces are temporarily closed at both this location and the Boston Spa location. For those who have tickets to an event or an exhibition, someone will contact you re: whether or not it will be rescheduled or else to arrange for a refund.

This library kicks ass! Fancy sculptures outside and five stories of knowledge inside. Worth a visit, even if you're not a student, not studying, and not researching. The first floor occupies 1-2 hours alone. Their Treasures Room even houses the actual Magna Carta! Not to be missed. In August, they had a separate exhibit on the first floor that covered music of the punk rock period, with music tracks to listen to as well. A stamp collection is also on display on the first floor near the Treasures Room. Love that all we saw in the library was free - no admission fee! Gift shop has plenty of thoughtful souvenirs to bring home, like Shakespeare themed gifts, an Alice in Wonderland collection, London items, and other clever literary appropriate gifts.

Excellent place to visit if you enjoy historical artefacts related to literature. Original documents and religious writings as well as hand written pieces from Shakespeare Marlowe and the Brontes to name a few. A spectacular array of historical masterpieces and all free!

Loved this place! As a lover of literature and music, I was amazed by the handwritten drafts of works by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Mozart, Debussy, etc. The copy of the Magna Carta. The free exhibit it the museum is pretty small, but interesting. There are more temporary exhibits that you need tickets for.

Never thought a library could be so awesome, but the British Library blew my mind. What a huge selection of stuff you would have never thought the public could see for FREE! From the Magna Carta to original works from the Beatles and Mozart. They have so many historical documents you can see up close and personal. Also the statues around the library are a site to see a well. I loved the compass man outside. Awesome site to get lost in books!

So y'all this is an actual functioning library, for researchers and readers and the like, but who doesn't love that? But for the tourists there are special exhibits (maps & Victorian Entertainments in November 2016) and the Treasures Collection! Um what? I can look at the Magna Carta and it's preceding documents? Yes please. Y'know it only establishes the rule of law for us non titled folks and that even the king has to follow the rules...well in theory. And then there was that little Shakespeare fellow's first folio. Again no big. They also have a rotating case and while I was there it was all on Jean Rhys and I have many many opinions on the Wide Sargasso Sea which I regaled my friend with but will leave y'all be. Seriously, it was great spot to spend a cold rainy morning and get a pot of tea to ward off the chills.

I wouldn't even know where to begin if I was researching here on the regular because the collection is so massive. The British Library Treasure Collection is why I made the trip. The collection is large and spans thousands of years, from music to writings to art. It's so close to transit that you must stop in if you are in the area. My only regret is that the Library was between temporary exhibits when I came so I missed out on seeing even more works.

Such a relaxing and studious place. Perfect for students or professionals looking for the infrastructure to work (wifi, plugs, snacks). A much better alernative to crowed cafés and this is also free! Had the chance to visit the members area, really worth it too for annual memberships!

So, I just figured out I need to come back here to see The Treasure Room! Thanks to Alex S's review. But anyway, my husband and I came here to see what kind of study area they have so we could read a bit, plus we had been wanting to see the library. It's breathtaking. Tons of books. It's a giant library exquisitely built and we absolutely loved it. There are multiple places where you can sit and do homework, read, write, whatever your heart desires. It's a quiet, lovely place.

Super neat museum! Free admission if you don't want to see the new exhibit. The "Treasures" section on the 2nd floor was super cool. Original manuscripts, written music by Beethoven, political documents, sacred texts - you name it. Very neat to consider how much knowledge is in the world. That is the only true exhibit we saw, but it was worth it. There's more to explore as well as a cafe (we didn't go but it's great to have the option). Overall a great stop :-)

Come for the books, stay for the study space. The central library in London is a book nerd's wet dream. Walk inside and you're treated to a vast open atrium lit by an array of skylights above. As your gaze rises, through the white-walled walkways of the upper floors you can glimpse the real treasure of this library. Standing in the place of prominence is a huge glass tower filled with the prettiest and rarest books you've ever seen. From every public space in the library you can view these old books and just wonder at the words inside. Unfortunately you can't wander through the rows and rows of ancient tomes. If you have come to the library to access their vast and valuable collections, you'll need a library card first. Getting a card is a quick and painless procedure, helped along by the friendly staff. Once you have your library card you have access to all of the reading rooms scattered around the library. The reading rooms have restrictions on what you can bring in (no bags, coats, food, drink, etc.). Go to the right side of the lower level and they have free lockers for you to stow your forbidden objects and there are clear plastic bags for you to carry your notebooks and laptops into the reading rooms. There's also a dedicated coat check area downstairs. If you're coming to the library as a place to work on your own things, not needing access to their collections, then there's no need for a library card. There are a fair number of tables for you. All of these tables have lots of power outlets built in. The library has free wifi (need to make an account to gain access) but it isn't terribly fast. If you spend a lot of time at the library like I do and get a bit hungry or your caffeine buzz wears off, there are a top notch cafe and restaurant at the back of the building. If you're all about the books and get tired of just seeing the old volumes shelved behind the glass, check out one of the library's exhibits. There's the rotating exhibit in the front of the building, next to the gift shop. Even better is the old books room just behind that with old texts from science, literature, religion, and some of the coolest giant globes I've ever seen! Walk to the back left corner of the library (past the old books room, but before the cafe), look closely, and you may just discover the coolest thing about the British Library... Along the wall you'll see rows of vertical metal bars built into the wall. Pull the handle on a bar and it slides out revealing an insane stamp collection with old stamps from all over the world! It's so cool to browse and so many people just walk on by without even realizing what's hidden in the walls!!!

Walked here from my hotel near Russell Sq. to catch history...all in one spot too...walking along the busy road that is in proximity to King's Cross, was a tad nervous. All was well, though. Inside, so so very much to see...if you like and appreciate history, literature, libraries, and the written word, shouldn't miss a trip here. Able to view parts of thr Magna Carta, original script from Jane Austen (one of my very favorite authors), ancient intact Zoroastrian religious txts, etc....exhibit on Charles Darwin... Cafe is tres cool inside; like it.

With all the sites to see in London, going to the library seems like it would not be high on the list. But literature lovers take note: the British Library is well worth a visit. Here you can see the original manuscripts from some of the great works of literature: works by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, the Magna Carta, early versions of the Bible and much more. Another treat for Jane Austen fans: the writing desk she used to compose her greatest stories is here. Original music manuscripts are here also. I'm a Beatles fan, and it was fascinating to see the original lyrics for some of their songs handwritten here. John Lennon's lyrics to A Hard Day's Night were written on the back of a birthday card for his one-year-old son! The modern architecture is a visual treat, and quite a change from the classic architecture of most of other sites. From the café you can see a 50 foot tall wall of 65,000 books. The library is only a short walk from theSt. Pancras tube station.

I've only come here in super study mode, so I can't speak about any of the exhibits. But I will say that the British Library is one of my favorite study spots in London. There are tons of different areas to sit and work, in case you're like me and you need a change of scenery every couple of hours. Now let me leave you with a couple of a student-oriented tips: Pro-tip 1: Come early. People must camp outside before it opens... they must! That's the only explanation for the eternally packed tables. Pro-tip 2: There are surprisingly few outlets for a library. In my experience, I've mostly seen them 1) in the plush leather seats on the upper ground floor and 2) on the wall along the row of tall triangular tables outside of the cafe on the first floor. There are a couple of other outlets strewn about in random corners, if you don't mind sitting on the floor. I know that there is a business centre on the first floor, but I've never explored it. I imagine that there are more power sources there, too. Pro-tip 3: If studying makes you hungry, prepare to spend an arm & a leg at the Peyton & Byrne Cafe (http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-british-library-cafe-peyton-and-byrne-london#hrid:0UE7wZnW_NM0uKeLYH13AQ). It is as delicious as it is overpriced.

Hands down one of my favorite experiences in my two week UK trip that encompassed England, the Isle of Wight, and Scotland. I can't speak more highly than that, since I ended up going to/experiencing closet to 50 different attractions while there. First of all, it's free. Second of all: Original. Beatles. Documents. Yes, you heard me. The Beatles' hands graced across the pages of some of the documents there. Swoon. Thirdly, you see so many beautiful, wonderful, awesome things. From documents written in the hands of Kings and Queens, to notes scribbled out by the great composers themselves (I'm looking at you, Beethoven), and even writers (Lewis Carroll, Shakespeare), beautiful illustrations (Leonardo da Vinci's notebook!), and religious texts (parts of the Gutenberg Bible, Qur'an illustrations) and political texts, too. It's seriously more than a little mind boggling, if you take the time to think about how much history is surrounding you, like I did because I'm a nerd. As you enter the special exhibit hall, there is a strange hush. Outside of that, where the main library is, you experience a of lively hum. But inside, everyone is quiet; like they're inside a church. The lighting is dim, and you feel like you're suddenly about to experience something intimate, or at least private. When words are spoke, they're uttered in whispers. No one wants to shatter the illusion of privacy, even if there are a dozen of you inside. I found myself whispering to my companion excitedly, and then I also found my voice slowly dying as I spoke, so that I had to move closer to for her to hear me. It felt wrong to speak in normal tones, which I gather most people thought as well, since there was a serious quietness in there. THE VERDICT: It's hard to describe how I felt when I found myself at the Beatles' exhibit each time. I say each time, because I went back three times, in fact. It was an entirely unique experience to anything I have ever felt in this world: totally reverent, but also... touched. Staring at the slanting, frantic script, I actually felt goose bumps on my arms, and tears tickle the back of my eyes. I was grounded, but my body felt lightweight. I was staring and absorbing, and thinking about how their hands moved across those pages, how they really seemed inspired by everything and nothing, and how I thought that that was beautiful. It just really affected me, in that moment. I wonder if that's the closest thing I'll ever feel to a religious experience... At any rate, this place has something for everyone: music, composers, significant literary writers, religious texts, political texts, stuff the King and Queen signed/wrote, 16th century plays, stuff by Shakespeare, medieval lore books. And they also do a rotating exhibit, as well. We spent a few hours here, and I was almost in a fugue state of wonder. I'm a huge literary nerd, so a place like this is genuinely one of the most heavenly places I could ever be in. MY TIME: You aren't allowed to take pictures, so based on when we ate, and when we went to the Palace Theatre... I'd guess we spent a little over 2 hours here. I could have spent twice as long, easily. In fact, I wished I had!

If you're interested in ancient religious manuscripts especially from early Christianity and Christianity in Europe from the middle age then this library is for you. Many people visit to glimpse the Magna Carta but I came to visit specially to glimpse some manuscripts for different versions of the Hebrew and Greek bible circulating Europe in the medieval period. If you love that kinda shit, this is the place for you. Also, the library has a small book/gift store on the lower level and I highly recommend it. Got some great books there.

Love the British Library Interesting book checking system Beyond anything imaginable Rare books in the basement Another world inside Rooms full of books! You will truly enjoy your visit This place is amazing!!! About 3 months before our trip, our professor made us sign reader pass forms so that we could actually see and hold the books!! ahaha It was quite fascinating! They have this crazy delivery system. The books come from the basement and somehow magically come up to the reading room you're in! The exhibit is quite impressive as well!! Lindisfarne Gospels, Magna Carta, old manuscripts... And many, many stamps... puts an average stamp collector to shame. I only wished we had more time to view the books and make use of our Reader Pass while we were there!

If I could give 10 stars I would. This is a fantastic place to visit. My wife loves libraries and we have visited a lot of them in a lot of different places from Sitka Alaska to Prague but I would put the British Library at the very top of the list. In reading some of the other reviews the authors mention viewing an original version of the Magna Carta in the same room as the original lyrics of a Beatles song by John Lennon. It's true!! Viewing so many original documents is overwhelming and gives a visceral sense of the history that many of us share. The Library has a fantastic tour which will take you around the library and show you things such as the reading rooms and stacks that you could not see on your own. This and the Globe Theatre are two of my favorite things in London. Neither are particularly crowded but when I suggest them many people look at me as if I had lost my mind. Be a contrarian and give the British Library a try.

This is one of those non-touristy gems to be found in Central London. There's always an interesting exhibition on. The Magna Carta exhibition is almost over, but there's a lovely one on animals in books right now and an amazing philately section. The permanent exhibition showcases a wide range of historic books encompassing religion, music, culture and art. Photography is prohibited in some exhibitions. Definitely peep in at the 6 storied King George library collection. This is a 1-2 hour visit kind of place.

I don't usually give 5 stars but BL deserves one for the following reasons - beautiful large space - lots of incredible rare and very beautifully illustrated old books But for me, foremost, this is a great place to work. BL has lots of tables. Lots of outlets. Great free WIFI. Several places on-site to get coffee and fuel. And it is very close to the King's Cross and St Pancras station.

It's so nice to see a new, (well 1990s era) public space and public institution that is impressive, comfortable, welcoming, functional and not all about shopping. It's not super impressive from the outside but once you go in you find a whole world of things -- the main and free exhibit with the Beatles and Shakespeare and bibles... don't miss the Magna Carta tucked into a side room. And it's the second largest research library in the world. On other floors are various reading rooms accessible with a reader's pass and a surprisingly good cafeteria. Scholars and students and tourists mingle and camp out at tables and seating throughout the building. Only the special (Harry Potter) exhibit cost money.

Located on the Euston Road, the modern building of the British Library is somewhat overshadowed by the splendour of St Pancras station next door. Conceived in 1975 to replace the hopelessly inadequate facilities located at the British Museum site in Bloomsbury, it wasn't until 1997 that the building was completed. The building itself is a curious architectural mix: red-brick facades, sloping grey roofs and groups of projecting balconies give it a curiously retiring appearance for such a major public building: the overall effect is a bit like a fortified Tesco. But there's no denying the quality of its execution, and if the outside disappoints, the inside impresses, with a generous scale - open spaces, wide staircases, spacious reading rooms - that works rather better. Of course, it's the collection you're likely to want to see. As one of the world's largest libraries, together with its other sites, it holds some 150 million items and 25 million books, as well as manuscripts, theses, stamps - you name it. All on a staggering 625km of shelves. (Technically, this makes it the second largest in the world after the Library of Congress in the USA, although it actually has more items). The galleries have a mixture of permanent collections and temporary exhibitions: highlights of the former have to include Magna Carter (they actually have two copies dated 1215) and the magnificent illuminated Lindisfarne Gospels, dating from the turn of the 7th century. Items from abroad include the Diamond Sutra, (the world's oldest dated printed book - 868AD), two Gutenberg Bibles and manscripts by Mozart, Mahler and JS Bach, among others. The library is a good place to visit as, despite its treaures, it is not much visited by tourists compared with other museums, so you can take your time without being jostled. Of course, its major use is for research, and whatever your interest, its online collections are worth looking at. The web-site isn't that user-friendly, but persevere and the range of collections you can view is staggering (tens of millions of items).

Blown away by their collection of some of the most prized written works in history. I came here for the Magna Carta. I didn't know I'd see the personal diary of Jane Austen, the works of Oscar Wilde, Beatles lyrics by Lennon and sacred religious texts just to names few!

Why are there so many too short reviews for this place? Because the reviewers haven't been here that's why. Seriously, scroll down, it's ridiculous 'You can read books here.' Very convincing. They now have free wifi, used to be £3 an hour, so there's an immediately helpful bit of info for anyone in living in the area with a laptop trying to save money during the credit crunch. There are also loads of powerpoints so you don't have to worry about battery. You have to apply to be a member, which allows you access to the reading rooms. You can't just walk in off the streets and think you can read the books. You certainly can't take any of the books out (as more than one review seems to imply). However, if you are in your local library and ask for a book that only the British Library has, they will send it out, which is how I read Means of Ascent by Robert Caro, the second of his LBJ biographies. The science rooms are very light and airy, with sofas and internet for checking databases for free science articles. The desks have free sockets for laptops, but staff will jump on you if any noise comes from those laptops. Lots of photocopiers in every room except the music room for obvious reasons. You buy a photocopier card, but copies are expensive (about 20p each). The literature reading room (that's not the exact name) is enormous, a kind of three storey atrium leading to high windows, and many wooden desks laid out beneath. I read the two unavailable Graham Greene novels here, The Name of Action and Rumour at nightfall, which he suppressed because he thought they were rubbish. The Name of Action is rubbish, but is interesting because of the amount of pages given over to overtly Catholic doubt and guilt. Rumour at Nightfall however, is brilliant, and deserves to be republished, describing as it does an encounter with a Hitler like dictator in a central european country and the man's downfall. It's certainly a lot better than later Greene novels. Also read a couple of BS Johnson novels, The Unfortunates and Travelling People. The Unfortunates was republished a few years ago, but stupidly without the newspaper match review stuck to it, rendering the whole novel set pointless. Travelling People is a very funny account of working in a country hotel and there is no reason why it should be out of print. The free bits of the library, the display of the codices and bibles, the first folios and the magna carta (carti? cartae?), take your breath away. They have a first gospel, a codex, from the 4th century! Possibly the oldest book in existence. The restaurant is alright, but not the best anywhere, and expensive. The cafe does jacket potatoes and if you time it right you might get an enormous one. if you have to eat i recommend the pizza express across the road. The terrace outside it very nice and allows you to spy on the large staff restaurant (basically the nice bit of the restaurant.) The toilets are on every floor and are huge and clean and free, and every toilet has a drinking fountain outside.

A really beautiful library that unfortunately the public does not have access to majority of it. The coolest part I saw was the rare books that have things such as some of the earliest text of the Bible, writings and manuscripts from Shakespeare and etc. It's nice to check out if you're in the area but a lot of sections of the library you need like a study pass of the sort so there's an actual reason for you being there. But it's an incredibly cool library beside the fact.

I'm reviewing the Library as a visitor, not a student or researcher. I'm sure a local, card-carrying member would have even higher praise for their material and how quiet it is. As for me, there a lot of areas off-limits to the tourist that I didn't get access to. That which I got to see was captivating and well worth the trip. I especially found their stamp collection (yes, STAMP collection) particularly amazing.

British Library is the epitomy of the modern era's libraries. A true gem of London that you should visit either as a tourist for its excibitions or as a sophisticated Londoner seeking for a place of peace and reading. Excibitions change every now & then; some of them for free while others are ticketed. Below the astonishing building lies a huge selection of books, papers and magazines. Being regular here, it is the perfect place for reading and working on you laptop (as soon as you get the library readers' card). To find your desired book; order it online and just pick it up on your next visit.