About
The British Library is the UK's national library. It's home to more than 170m collection items covering every age of written civilisation, from the Magna Carta to Jane Austen's notebooks and handwritten lyrics by the Beatles.
Each year, the British Library hosts a range of exhibitions. In the Treasures Gallery, you can find iconic items such as Leonardo da Vinci's manuscripts and letters by Ada Lovelace, while the Sound Gallery offers an immersive experience where you can listen to 7m sounds from the library's collection.
Currently on, major exhibition Medieval Women: In Their Own Words brings to life famous and forgotten women from across Europe in the Middle Ages through more than 140 extraordinary items that tell stories of courage and creativity in their public, private and spiritual lives (until 2 March).
A Silk Road Oasis: Life in Ancient Dunhuang opens an astonishing time capsule on the vibrant city of Dunhuang through the contents of the Library Cave, a Buddhist site containing thousands of manuscripts, paintings and objects spanning literature, theology, medicine, politics and art, previously sealed for 900 years (until 23 February).
The library hosts a lively and engaging cultural events programme of talks, courses, performances and festivals inspired by its exhibitions and collections, and visitors will find an eclectic range of unique goods for the curious and literary minded in the shop.
This content has been supplied by British Library
Prices and opening times
Child Ticket | Free |
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Family Ticket | Free |
Senior Ticket | Free |
Adult Ticket | Free |
The library holds two major exhibitions a year which require an entrance charge - see the website for prices. Three permanent British Library exhibitions are free of charge. This includes the Treasures Gallery displaying more than 200 items.
This content has been supplied by British Library
Opening Times
Monday to Thursday: 9.30am to 8pm
Friday: 9.30am to 6.30pm
Saturday: 9.30am to 5pm
Sunday: 11am to 5pm
Facilities & Accessibility
See detailed accessibility information for this venue on AccessAble
- Access Inside Building Facilities
- Accessible lift
- All routes suitable for pushchairs or prams
- All routes suitable for wheelchair users
- Effective lighting throughout for visually impaired users
- Lift buttons with raised numbers or letters
- Lift with spoken announcements on arrival at each floor
- Ramps with handrail within building
- Ramps within building
- Seating for limited mobility users along routes
- Some routes suitable for limited mobility users
- Some routes suitable for wheelchair users
- Steps with handrail within building
- Steps within building
- Wheelchair spaces available in auditorium
- Access into the Building
- Assisted wheelchair access
- Automatic doors
- Full, non-assisted wheelchair access
- Ramps with handrails to entrance
- Steps with handrails to entrance
- Temporary ramps available
- Accessible Bathroom Facilities
- Designated wheelchair accessible public toilet
- Some toilets with handrails
- Accessible Communication Facilities
- Audible alarm system
- Clear signage (colour contrast, large letters or pictograms)
- Films or information touch screens have visual/audible subtitles
- Hearing loop system
- Information available in audio format
- Information available in braille
- Information available in large print
- Menus available in large print
- Sign language used
- Visual alarm system
- Accessible Venue Facilities
- Assistance dogs welcome
- Emergency evacuation procedures for guests with disabilities
- Level access, ramp or lift to dining area
- Level access, ramp or lift to restaurant or cafe
- Level access, ramp or lift to the bar
- Level access, ramp or lift to the shop
- Special dietary requirements catered for
- Staff disability awareness trained
- Additional Accessible Facilities
- Accessible baby changing rooms
- Level access, ramp or lift from entrance to reception
- Level access, ramp or lift to information point
- Level access, ramp or lift to ticket issuing point
- Low payment counters
- Low reception or information counters
- Attraction Facilities
- Gift shop
- Patron toilets
- Booking Facilities
- Coach parties accepted
- Group bookings accepted
- Catering Facilities
- Bar
- Cafe
- Halal options on menu
- Kosher options on menu
- Nut-free option on menu
- Outdoor dining / Beer garden
- Restaurant
- Set price menu
- Vegetarian options on menu
- Event Facilities
- Breakout Rooms
- Business centre
- Conference rooms / Meeting rooms
- In house AV available
- Raked or tiered seating offered
- Trade vehicle access
- Venue allows outside catering
- General Facilities
- Escalators
- Free WiFi
- Guest lounge
- Lifts
- Lockers
- Secure cycle storage
- Payment Facilities
- Free entry