Ahh, libraries. Not only are they invaluable repositories of history and knowledge, but they’re also often just stunning places to while away the hours. (Is there a better rainy day activity than hiding in a cosy library, after all?). And London’s libraries are some of the finest around – ranging from Victorian classics to bold modern examples. So why not feast your eyes upon our guide to the most beautiful libraries in London? Just don’t forget to return your books on time…
1. The Maughan Library
This one can only be admired from the outside (unless you’re a King’s College London student, or manage to get in during Open House Weekend), but boy is it a piece of eye candy. The nineteenth-century Grade II-listed neo-gothic building was designed by Sir James Pennethorne and built in 1851. The Maughan Library’s rather splendid dodecagonal reading room has made an appearance in The Da Vinci Code, amongst others, but is more often used as a study space. A £35m renovation made the Maughan the largest new university library built in the UK since World War II, so perhaps it’s worth going back to university for?
📍 100-113 Chancery Lane, WC2A 1PL. Nearest station is Chancery Lane.
2. Bethnal Green Library
Bethnal Green Library celebrated its 100th birthday back in 2022, which means this place sports a fair amount of Edwardian flair. The blue-hued central space is flooded with natural light from the huge skylights, whilst the wood-panelled entrance hall seems to transport you back in time. It’s earned that Grade II-listed status, for sure! (And it definitely earns its place in this list of London’s most beautiful libraries. Which recognition do you think they value more?)
📍 Cambridge Heath Road, E2 0HL. Nearest station is Bethnal Green.
3. The London Library
The London Library is one of the world’s largest lending independent libraries, and a veritable literary institution. It’s also rather aesthetic. Founded in 1841, the library holds a remarkable collection of over one million books and periodicals. And as if that wasn’t enough, it’s supplemented with some 8,000 new volumes added annually. A yearly subscription fee of £500 may seem a little steep, but that’ll get you access to some astonishing rarities, an eclectic mix of titles, and the chance to rub shoulders with your fellow members – which include an embarrassment of literary giants. Plus, am appearance in Killing Eve has given it a certain millennial cache.
📍 14 St James’s Square, SW1Y 4LG. Nearest station is Piccadilly Circus.
4. Senate House Library
Nothing pairs quite so well with a good book as a wonderfully comfortable chair. And the Senate House Library’s studded leather armchairs make for as fine a place as any to while away the hours in the company of our fine literary friends. Day tickets and summer memberships are available, but students at the University of London get free rein since it’s their main library. The building’s austere exterior has also appeared in Batman Begins… A fine literary and film pedigree!
📍 Malet Street, WC1E 7HU. Nearest station is Russell Square.
5. Guildhall Library
Now, you won’t find any copies of Pride and Prejudice here. Instead, you’ll discover one of the most complete histories of London to be found. Over 200,000 titles fill the shelves of the Guildhall Library. The works provide an all-encompassing look at the life and times of our city – whether that be through seventeenth century cookbooks, Victorian pamphlets, or trade directories. The library is an invaluable tool for historical research, especially if you’re interested in Samuel Pepys, Thomas More, or John Wilkes, as it hosts special collections dedicated to each.
📍 Aldermanbury, EC2V 7HH. Nearest station is St Pauls.
6. The British Library
No self-respecting list of London libraries is complete without this fella. The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom, boasting a whopping 170 million items – including artefacts from every age of written civilisation, which is damn impressive. The library doesn’t rest on its laurels, either, with three million new items joining the collection each year. Anyone is welcome to visit (although the Reading Rooms are for members only), and the library’s inner six-storey glass tower, which was inspired by Yale University’s Beinecke Library, has become a rather photogenic addition. The tower is home to the King’s Library, accommodating 65,000 printed volumes, 19,000 pamphlets, and manuscripts and maps collected by King George III between 1763 and 1820. Puts my collection to shame, indeed!
📍 96 Euston Road, NW1 2DB. Nearest station is Kings Cross St Pancras.
7. Kensington Central Library
Another Grade II-listed spot, Kensington Central Library was built on the site of a grand old house destroyed during the Blitz. Dark wood and sumptuous stripy pillars provide wonderful aesthetic appeal – although the design did provoke protests during construction. It’s also slotted nicely into the community with regular events for adults and children.
📍 12 Phillimore Walk, W8 7RX. Nearest station is High Street Kensington.
8. SOAS Library
Looking a little like it’s tumbled out of an Andreas Gursky photograph, the School of Oriental and African Studies’ library is a mesmerising labyrinth of concrete and paper. Architect Denys Lasdun is the man behind the striking design, all Brutalist efficiency and stark lighting. It’s not just a pretty face, either, with 1.3 million volumes housed within. That’s a collection important enough to draw scholars from all over the world.
📍 Thornhaugh Street, WC1H 0XG. Nearest station is Russell Square.
9. The National Art Library
The pictures really do it justice; The National Art Library is simply breathtaking. Ornate, gilded, and with a muted green palette throughout, it’s understandably quite popular with the Instagram set. Housed on the first floor of the Victoria & Albert Museum, it’s London’s major public reference library for the fine and decorative arts. You’ll find books on prints, drawings, woodwork, textiles, metalwork, and more here. If you can tear your eyes away from the decor, that is. Best of all, it’s free to use for all members of the public!
📍 Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL. Nearest station is South Kensington.
10. The Wellcome Library
Now, Wellcome Collection is well worth a visit anyway thanks to thought-provoking exhibitions, historical medical artefacts, and a top-notch café, but their beautiful library is the icing on the cake (do indulge in the cafe’s options, whilst we’re on the subject). The Wellcome Library deals with the subject of health and medical history, and you can join whether you’re a budding doctor or just a curious mind. Expect books on everything from gender to alchemy and witchcraft here!
📍 183 Euston Road, NW1 2BE. Nearest station is Euston Square.
11. BFI Reuben Library
Another specialist library, the BFI Reuben Library is – rather unsurprisingly – dedicated to films, TV, and the moving image. There are plenty of books here about the craft and history of film, but the dedicated viewing stations are the star of the show museum. Scattered around the joint, these let you dive into the BFI’s vast back catalogue of films. Special events are a frequent occurrence, and since the library is free to use, we’d strongly advise paying a little visit.
📍 Belvedere Road, SE1 8XT. Nearest station is Waterloo.
12. Peckham Library
A controversial choice, perhaps, but fans of modern architecture will find a lot to love about this library. Peckham Library’s unusual shape and striking colours make for an eye-catching building that has become very popular with the local community in Peckham. The L-shaped, copper-clad building is rather popular with the architecture lot too, having scooped the prestigious Stirling Prize back in 2000. Check out the view from the rear, as coloured glass panels transform your view of the city skyline.
📍 122 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JR. Nearest station is Peckham Rye.
13. Canada Water Library
Come for the jazzy tiling and zigzagging shelves, and stay for the cool, wood-enclosed spiral staircase. The Canada Water Library may lean rather precariously over the water, but the bronzed, hexagonal exterior hints at the flair interiors, which lend themselves perfectly to a little photoshoot. A full programme of events, including creative writing groups, author talks, and English language classes are a nice draw. And with a 150-seat performance space on the ground floor, there’s plenty of room for events. Still, those interiors… Libraries really are just an excuse for architects to go wild, aren’t they? (And we LOVE it!)
📍 21 Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7AR. Nearest station is Canada Water.
14. The National Poetry Library
This one is a contender for being one of the best libraries in all of London. It may be slightly less aesthetic than other libraries on our list, but the National Poetry Library makes the grade due to being the largest public collection of poetry in the whole world. It was founded in 1953, and opened by T.S. Eliot, but relocated to its home at Southbank Centre in 1988. Seamus Heaney was roped in for cake-cutting duties on that ocassion. You’re allowed to take books out on loan, but since they’ve got bean bags scattered throughout, I’d suggest you grab some Carol Ann Duffy and curl up right here.
📍 Level 5, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX. Nearest station is Waterloo.
15. St Bride Library
Located right in the heart of the city is St Bride Library which has one of the most remarkable collections of books and archives dedicated to the history of print, typography, and design all housed in a gorgeous reading room. It’s a treasure trove for design and print lovers as it also houses original antique printing presses that guests can use during workshops hosted by St Bride. Do be aware that you must book a space first before visiting the library.
📍 14 Bride Lane, EC4Y 8EQ. Nearest stations are Blackfriars and City Thameslink.
16. The Reading Room at the British Museum
Now as far as centres of knowledge and history, they don’t get much more impressive (or stunning) than The British Museum’s Reading Room. It’s even been recognised as one of the most popular libraries in the world! Unfortunately, this is one that you’ll only be able to admire from afar – or on the tours that happen from time to time. Only specific students and researchers have access to this particular library.
📍 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG. Nearest stations are Russell Square and Goodge Street.