The UK is one of the best countries in the world when it comes to architecture, literature and history so it’s only normal that we are blessed to have a lot of beautiful libraries.
Whether you are a bit of a bookworm or just like to discover new places, visiting these libraries is an experience you won’t forget.
As a bit of a history buff and book lover myself, needless to say that I absolutely love discovering beautiful libraries.
In this article, you will find the most beautiful libraries in the UK and how to visit them.
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1. Chetham’s Library, Manchester
Out of all the libraries I’ve visited in the world, this is still my favourite! It’s located in the city centre of Manchester, near Victoria Station, and is the first public library in the English speaking world.
It’s now part of the Chetham’s school of music (which is a boarding school) and you can visit it with one of their guided tours (run by volunteers).
It’s absolutely stunning, from the moment you enter the school to the moment you get to the old chained book library upstairs.
It’s also important to note that it’s where Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels used to meet.
2. Bodleian Library, Oxford
It comes with no surprise that Oxford is home to one of the best libraries in the country. Located in the city centre, the Bodleian Library is part of the University of Oxford and is home to over 13 million printed items.
It was first opened in 1602 and is one of the oldest libraries in Europe.
You can visit both the library and Radcliffe Camera. To do so, you simply need to head to the official website and book your ticket. They also offer guided tours which are very interesting.
3. John Rylands Library, Manchester
Located in Deansgate, in the city centre of Manchester, John Rylands library is a stunning example of gothic architecture and a bit of a hidden gem!
It’s very famous amongst Harry Potter fans since it really looks like something you would find in Hogwarts.
That having been said though, it is not one of the official sources of inspiration nor is it a filming location.
Nonetheless, it’s a great place to visit especially since it’s free!
Inside, you’ll find beautiful archways and a stunning reading room as well as ancient examples of bibles and other manuscripts.
4. Gladstone’s Library, North Wales
Located in North Wales, near Wrexham, Gladstone’s Library is one of the rare residential libraries in the UK.
It’s also important to note that it’s the only Prime Ministerial Library in Britain.
It was founded by William Gladstone in 1894 and is now a Grade I listed building.
Inside, you will find 26 rooms (yes, you can stay there if you’d like) as well as several stunning reading rooms.
5. Central Library, Liverpool
Located near Lime Street Station, the Central Library of Liverpool is a great place to visit if you are exploring the northern city for a day.
It was originally named after William Brown who was an importer who made fortune via slavery (unfortunately, a lot of things in Liverpool are linked to that).
It was designed by Thomas Allom and opened in 1860. The most iconic feature is the Atrium which is made of glass and a beautiful set of stairs.
Fun fact: It’s even said that it was one of the landmarks that inspired the Harry Potter movie crew when they were looking for ideas to create the sets of the stairs of Hogwarts.
6. The British Library, London
It would be impossible to talk about libraries in the UK without mentioning the national library. Located near King’s Cross Station in London, The British Library is home to over 170 million books!
While it doesn’t have the magic feel that the others have, it’s still a wonderful example of modern architecture. There are 14 floors and it’s free to visit!
7. Brotherton Library, Leeds
This one is a bit different as well since it features a stunning art deco architecture that we don’t get to see that often in the UK.
Located in Leeds, Brotherton Library is part of the University of Leeds and can be visited every day.
The main feature of this neoclassical library is the reading room. It’s a huge dome that was modelled after the British Museum.
8. The Mitchell Library, Glasgow
Home to over a million items, this is one of the largest libraries in Scotland. It opened in 1877 and is a stunning example of Edwardian Baroque architecture.
The facade and dome makes it one of the prettiest buildings in Glasgow. The copper dome features a stunning statue named Literature and in a way, very similar to the statue of Liberty!
It’s open Monday to Saturday and is free to visit.
9. The Wren Library, Cambridge
Since Cambridge is so famous for its universities, it will come as no surprise that you can also find some stunning libraries there.
The Wren Library is part of the Trinity College of Cambridge. It was designed by Christopher Wren (who also designed St Paul’s Cathedral in London) and was completed in 1695.
Here you’ll find a lot of ancient manuscripts including the first copy of Isaac Newton’s the Principia Mathematica as well as some original Shakespeare.
While the items housed are very important, the architecture is also very interesting. The floor in the main reading room is simply beautiful and there are some gorgeous cloisters as well.
Map of the most beautiful libraries in the UK
I hope you enjoyed this article and if you’d like to discover more about the UK, don’t hesitate to check out my other articles!
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