The London Library - Open House
The London Library is delighted to be participating in Open House London on 21st September.
Founded in 1841 The London Library is one of the world’s great lending libraries. An extraordinary history, a vast borrowing collection and an outstanding building make this a unique place to think, to write and to be inspired.
From Sarah Waters to Kazuo Ishiguro; Charles Dickens to TS Eliot; Virginia Woolf to Bram Stoker; we’ve been at the heart of literature for over 175 years.
Inside the Library there’s a vast labyrinth of books, hidden corners and beautiful working spaces. Take the opportunity to visit this literary oasis in the heart of the capital and let our staff guide you around some of our 17 miles of book shelves.
The tours
Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes. Tours are free, but space is limited and places must be booked in advance. We regret that we will not be able to accommodate visitors who arrive on the day without a booking. If you do miss out this time, keep an eye out for our monthly Monday Night Tours on our website.
Tours involve walking up and down stairs, and due to the nature of the building we are unable to offer lift access to all areas. The tour therefore may not be suitable if you have mobility problems – please inform us when you book and we will do our best to accommodate you.
The Library will remain open for members to work throughout the day and we ask that visitors respect the need for quiet in some areas. Tours may not, therefore, be suitable for young children. We are unable to accommodate buggies on tours.
Flat shoes are required due to the nature of the grille flooring in the Victorian bookstacks.
For any further enquiries, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
If you are unable to book below, head to Eventbrite here.
