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British Library, London

4.5

#16 of 257 in Museums in London

History Museum Library

• ©

More than a massive repository for books, the British Library also holds significant artifacts and documents, such as the Magna Carta, a Gutenberg Bible, and an original Beatles lyrics sheet. Each year, the world's largest library adds three million new items, requiring some 9.6 km (6.0 mi) of shelf space. You obviously won't see everything on your visit, so take a guided tour to view the most important collections and learn about the building's history and architecture. The Philatelic Exhibition holds some of the world's rarest and most significant stamps; check its schedule for temporary exhibits. If you want to learn more before your visit, download podcasts from the library's website. You can also listen to presentations from past events. Use our London trip planner to add British Library and other attractions to your London vacation plans.

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British Library Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

3,775 reviews

Google

4.5

facebook

4.6

327,677 likes

• By Sarah G

  Loved the architecture of the building - worth visiting for that alone. Also really enjoyed the treasures exhibition, particularly the literature and beatles part, and was free to visit. Very much wor...  more »

• By SimplyFred

  Excellent exhibition brought together from across 7 continents and spanning 5000 years. You need to spend a bit of time to do it justice. Nice and cool!  more »

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Google

• By Ivan Novo

  This place is the best to do work, study, visit the reading rooms and large book collections, stamps, have a coffee - a good one - spend the day reading or surfing the internet (connection is quite reliable and fast). There are free water fountains and toilets in every floor. A cafe outside and inside. So basically you can spend all day long at the library without needing to go out. If you're a freelancer, and you have to meet a deadline, seeing all the people around you in focus mode will motivate you to run the extra mile required for the last body of work. Fully recommended.

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• By Jasmin PG

  Beautiful place. Proud to be British with a Library like this in the City! The collection of books donated by King George ll are in a stunning display right in the centre of the main entrance. Worth a visit to see this!

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