Despite writing for Secret London and doing our best to uncover all of the city’s hidden gems, we’re still constantly caught dead in our tracks by discovering stunning (new to us) spots in our capital. Whether it’s a wine bar we walked past on a whim, a hidden park, or a charming piece of public art, London never ceases to surprise and amaze us. The latest discovery is an overlooked gem in the city that I certainly wish I’d known about sooner. The National Poetry Library is my new obsession, and it’s sure to be yours, too.
Tucked away within a popular London venue, the National Poetry Library is a must-visit for London’s book-obsessed masses. It’s the only space in London that is entirely dedicated to the study of poetry, and it’s home to a staggering collection. In fact, within its walls and across its shelves, you’ll find “the world’s largest public collection of modern poetry”.
The library was founded by the Arts Council all the way back in 1953. It was opened by poets TS Eliot and Herbert Read. It was then moved in 1988 to its current location, with the help of another esteemed poet, Seamus Heaney, and has remained there ever since.
Where is it?
Believe it or not, the National Poetry Library is hidden away in one of London’s most famous and frequently-visited buildings. You’ll find it in none other than the Southbank Centre! The building is already one of the city’s pre-eminent performance venues and gallery spaces, and clearly, there are even more secrets waiting within its doors for us to discover.
More specifically, you’ll find the National Poetry Library on the fifth floor of the Royal Festival Hall. Simply head on in, take a ride up in the lift, and you’ll find a world of poetry awaiting.
Projects and exhibitions
Naturally, since this is the Southbank Centre we’re talking about, the space is much more than just a library. It also plays host to all manner of events, projects, and exhibitions.
Events take place online, in person at the library, and at venues around London. Among them is the free Discover Poetry session, which runs on the third Thursday of the month. The library also hosts table readings, book launches, introductory sessions, and more.
Currently, the library is celebrating over 70 years of platforming poetry with a special 70-Poet Challenge. As part of it, the National Poetry Library is aiming to “discover and celebrate 70 new poets writing and performing in our lifetime”.
The library is also currently running the Endangered Poetry Project. This has been in place since 2017, and sees the library attempting to combat the erasure of language and poetry as a result of dying languages. With the help of the public, their goal is to “build a collection of works, providing a resource for those interested in reading poems in languages that are under threat.”
Can I join the National Poetry Library?
Joining the National Poetry Library is free for anyone with a UK address. You can register to become a member online here, for access to ebooks, audio books, and digital magazines.
If you’d like to visit and borrow physical books from the collection, you can register in person. Just make sure to bring a photo ID and a recent bill with your name and address.
Explore the National Poetry Library’s collection of online poems here.