British Library
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The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world's greatest libraries. We hold over 13 million books, 920,000 journal and newspaper titles, 57 million patents and 3 million sound recordings. Open to everyone, the Library offers events, temporary exhibitions and a Treasures Gallery that displays over 200 items, including Magna Carta, a Gutenberg Bible and lyrics by The Beatles.
29/05/2026
Make your mark at the Library today.
As a charity, your support helps keep knowledge alive and available to everyone.
There are lots of ways to get involved. Adopt a book from our collection of classics, name a desk in our Reading Rooms or find out about leaving a gift in your will.
You can help future generations shape tomorrow. Join us, and be part of what comes next.
Learn more here: https://support.bl.uk/Page/Ways-you-can-help
Ways to give You can make a difference yourself to help protect the world’s knowledge at The British Library. Please support us.
28/05/2026
Reminder: Our St Pancras site will be closed this weekend (Saturday 30 – Sunday 31 May) for essential maintenance work.
We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
Find out more here: link.bl.uk/5ym
07/05/2026
Wishing a VERY happy 80th birthday to our dear friend Michael Rosen who has delighted and inspired countless young readers and writers across the country for generations.
We were thrilled to welcome Michael to the Library this week, where he wrote letters to some of the brilliant primary school pupils who created their own food-related folktales as part of our Discovering Children’s Books programme.
Take a look at some of the fantastic books children produced inspired by Michael’s event last term: link.bl.uk/yua
23/04/2026
This English Language Day we’re celebrating the unsung heroes of lexicography. Before Samuel Johnson’s dictionary of 1755 came Henry Cockeram’s English Dictionarie Of 1623, focusing on ‘hard' or 'unusual' words. Well, these obscure words will certainly give you a run for your money.
Cockeram's dictionary included hundreds of words that were not recorded elsewhere at the time and were never recorded again after the publication.
Note that ‘cow boy’ referred to a young lad who keeps cattle from wandering out of an enclosure 🐑
We are delighted to be hosting the original 13th century manuscript of Sumer is icumen in, also known as the 'Reading Rota', thanks to a major loan from the British Library, generously supported by the Dorset Foundation in memory of Harry M Weinrebe.
This is the first chance to see the manuscript in the town since the dissolution of the Abbey in 1539. It is displayed in The Story of Reading gallery, just metres from the Abbey Quarter where it was likely composed over 750 years ago.
Sumer is Icumen in, a round rejoicing in springtime, is the earliest and one of the most celebrated pieces of medieval English music.
On display at Reading Museum until 9 May.
And on Saturday 2 May, join us at Reading Museum for a talk exploring the manuscript's surprisingly wide-ranging contents, delivered by Anne Lawrence-Mathers, Professor of Medieval History at the University of Reading.
13/04/2026
An 400-year-old plea for tolerance, still resonating today.
This manuscript of The Book of Sir Thomas More, held in our collection, contains what is believed to be the only surviving literary text in William Shakespeare’s own handwriting.
The speech, brought back into the spotlight by Sir Ian McKellen, calls for compassion towards migrants. A message that continues to echo across centuries.
Discover more here: link.bl.uk/tkr
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Website
Address
96 Euston Road
London
NW12
Opening Hours
| Monday | 9:30am - 6pm |
| Tuesday | 9:30am - 6pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30am - 7:30pm |
| Thursday | 9:30am - 7:30pm |
| Friday | 9:30am - 6pm |
| Saturday | 9:30am - 5pm |
| Sunday | 11am - 5pm |
