The British Library - Prices, opening hours, news, events and exhibitions
About the The British Library
The UK's national library in a striking building, but is also host to a regular set of exhibitions.
There's usually a modest sized history exhibition, which is free to visit, and often some sort of art event in the main courtyard.
They also host headline event exhibitions a couple of times per year, which are usually paid entry, but fill an entire hall with the exhibits on display.
The library itself is not open to the public, but the rest of the site is.
IMPORTANT - Although venues are reopening, their hours may differ from normal, and most now need prebooking before you visit.
Address
The British Library,
96 Euston Road,
London,
NW1 2DB
He built an empire that stretched across the world. Rode across the sky on a flying chariot. And descended to the bottom of the sea in a glass bell. Or did he?
Open from Fri 21st October to Sun 19th February 2023
Be ready for some mind-bending magic and deceptions as magician and historian Ian Keable details some of the biggest hoaxes of the 18th century.
Monday, 23rd May 7pm to 8:30pm
The British Library Map
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to wear a face mask when visiting?
The UK government does not require face masks to be work indoors at the moment, but many venues ask people to wear them, and can refuse entry if they need to.
What's the nearest railway station to The British Library
The British Library has shown off its final designs for a large expansion of the library to the north of the current building, including early works for Crossrail 2.
Some of the most charmingly beautiful books can also be the very smallest of books, and a selection of miniature books is currently on show in the British Library.
The British Library has released a huge archive of nearly 18,000 maps that have been digitised and are available for free – with no copyright restrictions.
An exhibition is open at the British Library which looks at how books for children transformed from boringly educational for young adults through to entertaining children
Long before cats appeared on the internet, they appeared in books, and their comic antics are currently the topic of an exhibition at the British Library.
A new exhibition is opening to mark the 250th anniversary of James Cook’s ship Endeavour setting sail to eventually discover Australia, several Pacific lands and observe the transit of Venus.
The British Library is not just a space for silent contemplation of worthy tomes, it’s also a huge collection of audio recordings, and some are now on “display”.
In a talk at the British Library, Simon Jenkins tells the stories behind the development, triumphs and follies of that great British institution: the railway station.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality between men, and the British Library is taking a look at the literary side of gay love.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Russian revolution of 1917, and the British Library has taken the opportunity to look at how it affected people far from the palaces and centres of power.
One hundred and fifty years ago, a book was published which was to become part of the cultural consciousness. A book that few of us can recall the details, but all know the overall story.
A curious collection of paintings based on the concept of the Victorian “cabinet of curiosity” has been erected in the courtyard of the British Museum.
Animal Tales, a new exhibition in the British Library, asks why animals have come to play such an important role in literature for adults and children alike.
The first thing you’ll learn when visiting the British Library’s new Magna Carta exhibition is that the image of a bearded medieval person in armour that dominates the adverts you have seen, is not of King John.
Oh, God! Oh, Jesus Christ! Sergeant Howie’s terror stricken voice, interspersed with screams from the Bride of Frankenstein is the soundtrack that greets visitors to the British Library at the moment.
A modest but thought provoking exhibition has opened at the British Library that looks at the letters sent and propaganda printed during World War One.
The comic — a form of story telling that is often presented in print form with exaggerated graphics. At once it can be religious, educational, subversive, childlike, or exceptionally adult in tone.
If you like graphics or science, or graphics combined with science, then get along to the British Library as they have combined the two into an exhibition.
Next year marks the 300th anniversary of the last successful invasion of the UK by the Germans, as the Elector of Hanover, George took the British Throne as the only suitable Protestant monarch available.
