London has an impressive literary history, and that’s reflected in its libraries—many of which are at least a century old, with age-old stories to tell.

King’s Library Tower in the British Library

The King’s Library Tower is a part of the British Library, housing over 65,000 rare books. As the name implies, its collection comes from the private library of a British king—specifically King George III, who had gathered the volumes in hopes of creating a comprehensive wealth of resources for scholarly learning.

The tower itself is not your typical clock tower-type deal, but a glass-walled structure protecting its many bookcases, standing six stories tall in the center of the British Library. It’s an impressive sight to behold, a modern marvel holding historic treasures.

Address: 96 Euston Rd., London NW1 2DB, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Thursday: 9:30AM – 8PM
– Friday: 9:30AM – 6PM
– Saturday: 9:30AM -5PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 5PM

The London Library

Located in St James’s Square, the London Library is one of the world’s largest independent lending libraries, founded in 1841 with a collection harkening back to the 1700s. It houses around one million volumes covering literature, history, arts, and more.

Those who want to regularly visit will need to subscribe to an annual membership, but casual visitors can take a peek at the library’s labyrinthine shelves by booking a spot on a public guided tour through the library’s website. Just note that spots sell out quickly, so you’ll likely have to book months in advance.

Address: 14 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4LG, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Public Guided Tours: One Monday per month, 6PM – 7PM

(Members only)
– Monday & Tuesday: 9:30AM – 9PM
– Wednesday to Saturday: 9:30AM – 5:30PM
– Sunday: Closed

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The Maughan Library

For some stunning neo-Gothic architecture, you can’t beat the Maughan Library. Serving as the main research library of King’s College London, it has three levels of bookcases in a 12-sided reading room and a high, stylized domed ceiling.

It also includes historic spaces like the former Rolls Chapel—with tall, stained glass windows and intricate art pieces—now repurposed for exhibitions and called the Western Room. Just note that as a university library, access to the public is restricted. Non-students can only enter for specific events or on open days, so check the website ahead of time.

Address: Chancery Ln, London WC2A 1LR, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– For students only: Monday to Sunday: 9AM – 1AM
– Open 24/7 in the second semester

Canada Water Library

Who doesn’t love a good gravity-defying library? (Or bookstore—looking at you, Zhongshuge Huai’an!) Canada Water Library makes a mark with its distinctive, inverted pyramid shape and textured facade. It opened in 2011 as the centerpiece of the area’s regeneration.

Inside, you’ll find over 40,000 books, a 150-seat performance space, meeting rooms, a café, and study areas, plus a lovely, panoramic view over the docks. And despite its rather imposing looks on the outside, it’s about as environmentally friendly as you can get, with features like a green roof and ground source heat pump.

Address: 21 Surrey Quays Rd, London SE16 7AR, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 8AM – 8PM
– Saturday: 9AM – 5PM
– Sunday: 12PM – 4PM

UCL Main Library

Walking in here, you might mistake it for a museum at first. Located on the first floor of the neoclassical Wilkins Building of University College London, it occupies the length of the building and features an iconic octagon-shaped dome filled with intricate wall reliefs and a truly stunning art centerpiece.

The library holds extensive collections in the arts, humanities, and history, and incorporates historic architecture designed by William Wilkins in 1827. It remains a popular study space for students and can even be seen in various British films and TV.

Address: Wilkins Building, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 8:30AM – 12AM
– Saturday & Sunday: 11AM – 9PM

Senate House Library

The Senate House Library can be found within Senate House, the administrative center of the University of London. Designed in an Art Deco style, the building was constructed between 1932 and 1937 with an intimidating stone facade and 19 floors, stretching up as if to scratch the sky.

Senate House Library is a pretty important spot for the university’s academic and research activities, and its Art Deco design harmonizes well with nearby sites like the British Museum.

Address: Senate House, University of, Malet St, London WC1E 7HU, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 9AM – 11PM
– Saturday & Sunday: 9:45AM – 9PM

Wellcome Library

Some libraries have certain specialties, and at Wellcome Library, that specialty is the history of medicine and the human condition. It contains not only books and manuscripts on health and medicine, but also visual media and art as well. The art is really notable since it ranges from traditional paintings to avant-garde statues standing on the ceiling.

The library started off as the personal collection of Sir Henry Wellcome from the early 1900s, but it’s now open to the public, including a museum, café, and gift shop in addition to the library.

Address: 183 Euston Rd., London NW1 2BE, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday & Friday: 10AM – 6PM
– Thursday: 10AM – 8PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 4PM
– Sunday: Closed

Battersea Library

Established at the end of the 19th century, Battersea Library is a historic red brick building with Portland stone dressings and a distinctive three-story octagonal turret—a teensy bit of Renaissance flair thrown in for funsies.

The inside is pleasantly modernized in some places, with smooth wooden floors and fresh, open arches that lend a warm, spacious feel. In others, it retains much of its historic charm with only a few necessary touches for convenience and comfort, like lighting, laptop charging stations, and so on.

Address: 265 Lavender Hill, London SW11 1JB, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday: 9AM – 8PM
– Friday: 9AM – 6PM
– Saturday: 9AM – 5PM
– Sunday: 1PM – 5PM
– Thursday: Closed

Westminster Reference Library

Sliding on over to London’s West End, you’ll find Westminster Reference Library, sitting smack-dab in the same place where Sir Isaac Newton once lived for a period of time. Architecturally, it features an Edwardian Baroque design, something that’s immediately apparent from its facade, at once subdued with a secret grandeur in its subtly intricate details.

The library houses a rich collection specializing in art, design, fine art, and performing arts, alongside business and law. It also happens to include the Westminster Music Library, one of the UK’s largest public music collections.

Address: 35 St Martin’s St, London WC2H 7HP, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 8PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 5PM
– Sunday: Closed

Islington Central Library

Islington Central Library opened in 1907 in Art Nouveau style. The facade features elaborate stonework with Ionic columns, banded rustication, and two statues representing important historic figures.

While much of the library underwent extensive renovations in 2022 to modernize many of the rooms, its reference department has been relatively unchanged, preserving the beautiful barrel-vaulted ceiling skylights and column detailing. It only has a few touches to keep it up-to-date, like tables with charging ports and new carpeting.

Address: 2 Fieldway Cres, London N5 1PF, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: 9:30AM – 8PM
– Tuesday, Friday & Saturday: 9:30AM – 5PM
– Sunday: 1PM – 5PM

Bethnal Green Library

Though originally built in 1896, this building was refurbished in the early 20th century to reopen in 1922. It showcases a Late Victorian exterior and an inter-war interior inspired by mid-18th-century style.

Notable features include plaster medallions honoring cultural figures such as Karl Marx and Charles Darwin. It’s not just a pretty building, though; it features a wide range of activities and events for both children and adults, ranging from story times and Lego clubs to a Knit and Natter group for those who enjoy knitting, embroidery, and more.

Address: Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 0HL, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday: 10AM – 6PM
– Thursday: 10AM – 8PM
– Saturday: 9AM – 5PM
– Friday & Sunday: Closed

National Art Library at the Victoria and Albert Museum

Set inside the Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Art Library specializes in fine arts. Founded in 1837 as part of the Government School of Design, it was renamed the National Art Library in 1865 and holds over a million items, including artists’ books and book arts.

It operates as a closed reference library that anyone is free to walk into and explore, but you’re not allowed to borrow and bring home anything with you. Instead, the library offers spaces where you can study what you need. It’s a great resource for students, professionals, and curious casual art enjoyers alike.

Address: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Thursday: 10AM – 5PM
– Friday to Monday: Closed

British Museum Reading Room

Completed in 1857, the design of the British Museum Reading Room (and the museum as a whole) draws clear inspiration from iconic Roman buildings like the Pantheon, with massive Ionic columns out front built with 19th-century ingenuity.

The reading room, meanwhile, is awe-inspiring in size: its circular, domed interior lined with miles of iron bookshelves. Nowadays, it keeps the museum’s Archive safe, but you need to book an appointment in advance if you actually want to access any of the materials.

Address: Great Russell St, London, UK
Opening hours:
– Monday to Wednesday & Friday: 10AM – 5PM
– Thursday: 1PM – 5PM
– Saturday & Sunday: Closed