Top Libraries in the UK: Must-Visit Destinations
A library speaks volumes about the culture of a country. Each time you visit, you’re entering the public square, where people from all walks of life come together to participate in the exchange of ideas.
At Remitly, we invite you to be inspired, learn something new, and connect with your local community at these beautiful libraries spread across the United Kingdom.
Why libraries still matter
In today’s increasingly isolated society, public libraries are more important than ever. As you step inside these quiet spaces, the deafening roar of the modern world falls to a soft whisper, and you come into conversation with voices from centuries past.
Whether or not you consider yourself a bookworm or a bibliophile, these vital community spaces provide access to knowledge, spark creativity, and cultivate human connection. There are so many benefits to public libraries, especially if you’re an immigrant settling in the United Kingdom. These include:
- Access to resources: Not only can you check out English language learning materials for all ages and levels, but you can also enjoy reading all types of books and media, plus free public computer and Wi-Fi access.
- Free and welcoming environment: One smart financial move for immigrants is creating a budget. Most people try to save money when they first arrive by limiting the activities they can do. A library visit is a wonderful way to get out of the house without opening your wallet.
- Community connection: Libraries host many events and cultural activities, making them a great place to meet new people in your community and learn about the local culture. They’re also a good place to find immigrant community groups in the UK.
- Personal growth: Find inspiration and pursue your interests, whether that’s taking in the architectural details of a new space, enjoying thoughtfully curated exhibitions, attending events, or checking out new reading materials.
Explore the history and architecture
Whether you prefer the stained glass windows of grand historical halls or the green spaces of modern eco-friendly designs, the allure of ancient texts or the joy of avant-garde graphic novels, the UK’s top libraries offer something for everyone and will leave you feeling inspired.
British Library: discover the historical collections
The UK’s National Library in London hosts a vast collection of over 170 million items in more than 400 languages, including books, manuscripts, newspapers, magazines, prints, drawings, patents, databases, maps, music scores, and sound recordings.
And it is constantly growing every day, as the present passes into history. Its physical collection covers over 746km of shelving, with around 8km of new books added each year.
Each year, 1.6 million visitors come to marvel at the British Library’s historical and cultural treasures and gain new insights and inspiration through its innovative exhibitions. Just as you can visit museums and art galleries to learn about British history, a library is like a museum, an art gallery, and a book depository all in one.
Iconic features and attractions
- The epic poem Beowulf
- Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’
- William Shakespeare’s first folio (collected edition of plays)
- William Blake’s notebook of sketches and drafts
- Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman from 1792
- Original manuscript version of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
- Working draft of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway
- The Magna Carta
- Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks
- Original lyrics by The Beatles
- Locks of famous authors’ hair
- E.H. Shepard’s original Winnie the Pooh clay models
- Jane Austen’s writing desk, spectacles and childhood writings
- Ludwig von Beethoven’s tuning fork
- A recording of Florence Nightingale’s voice
Unmissable exhibitions and events
- Exhibitions and events are constantly changing throughout the year, so there’s always something new to discover. If you’re coping with homesicknesses after moving to the UK, going to an exhibition can be a breath of fresh air.
- Sign up for one of the library’s upcoming cultural events, from talks and courses to festivals and performances connected to its collections and exhibitions. Recent topics include Creativity and AI, Spice Ports and The Origins of Global Sea Trade, Colouring the Medieval World, Radiohead’s The Bends at 30, and When Black Women Lead: Power in a Changing World.
- There are also family events, school events, business events, and adult courses and creative workshops held throughout the year.
- Listen to inspiring speakers and captivating debates in person or online through the Living Knowledge Network. Recent topics include Reggae Revolutionaries, Dungeons and Dragons at 50, Why We Need Fantasy, Chinese and British Food Stories, and Disabled Activists in the News.
- You can watch past public talks, discussions, and performances in full on the British Library’s YouTube channel, along with fascinating shorter videos about the collection, exhibitions, and more.
- Book a guided tour to dive deeper into the library’s collection with knowledgeable library staff.
Bodleian Library: Oxford’s scholarly haven
The Bodleian Libraries, opened in 1602, have inspired generations of scholars at the University of Oxford, including Oscar Wilde, CS Lewis, and JRR Tolkien.
Over 13 million items are spread across 26 different libraries, including 1 million special collections ranging from rare books, manuscripts, and maps to music and digitized collections.
Navigating the prestigious collections
While only University students, staff, and Bodleian Reader cardholders have full access to all the libraries, the general public is welcome to enjoy the following spaces:
Blackwell Hall, Weston Library
- Exhibitions and displays showcasing the Bodleian collections
- Café and gift shop
- Reading space
- Free to enter, no ticket required
Radcliffe Camera
- Oxford’s iconic circular library
- Ticket and library guided tour required
Old Library
- Ticket required, but all visitors can walk around the courtyard at the center of the library
Divinity School
- Impressive 15th-century English Gothic architecture
- Featured as the infirmary in the Harry Potter films
- Ticket required, self-guided or library guided tour
Duke Humfrey’s Library
- The heart of the Bodleian Library, with beautiful dark wooden shelves and painted ceilings
- Ticket and library guided tour required
Convocation House
- This 17th-century ‘parliament house’ was the meeting place of the University of Oxford’s governing bodies for over 300 years
- Ticket and library guided tour required
Tours and Visitor Information
If you are interested in visiting the Bodlein Libraries, you can enjoy:
- Free exhibitions at the Weston Library
- Online access to over 1 million digitized items from the special collections
- Talks, activities, and special events at the Weston Library and online
- Guided tours (ticket required)
Opening hours
- Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Library of Birmingham: Europe’s largest public library
Opened in 2013 by Malala Yousafzai, the youngest person to ever receive the Nobel Peace Prize, this vast modern library in England’s West Midlands region covers 32,0000 square metres.
If you’re navigating the UK’s public transportation system, you can reach the library by train (it’s a 15-minute walk from New Street Station or Snow Hill Station) or by bus (lines 12A, 23, 24, 63, 87, and X10 all stop nearby).
Architectural highlights and library services
- Environmentally conscious design by Dutch architect Francine Houben
- The eye-catching facade features more than 5,000 black and silver rings tessellating over decorative panels of gold, silver and black
- Viewing gallery offers panoramic views over Birmingham
- 2 outdoor garden terraces provide public green spaces in the city
- Outdoor Amphitheater in Centenary Square hosts music and drama performances, poetry readings, storytelling events
- Impressive collections of archives, photography and rare books
- Books and resources available to the public
- Gallery space for exhibitions
Special collections and future endeavours
Popular collections at the Library of Birmingham include:
- Law and Government
- Community Information
- Literature and Literary Collection
- Contemporary Newspapers and Journals
- Historical newspapers dating back to the 1700s
- Music
- Archives and Rare Books
- Photography
- World History
The Library of Birmingham is free to visit in person online. Their digital galleries of the Archive, Heritage & Photography collections are constantly being expanded.
Gladstone’s Library: The UK’s only residential library
What makes it unique?
Have you ever wished you could stay at the library all day and night? At Gladstone’s Library in North Wales, you can sleep in one of the 26 bedrooms and stay as long as you like.
The library is a registered charity; all donations and earnings are used to maintain the building and collections.
Accommodations and programs for visitors
- Book lovers, writers, and scholars will enjoy staying in single or double rooms for a relaxing retreat, reflection and study, or a unique setting to work and write.
- Registered Readers and overnight guests are welcome to use the Reading Rooms, which house around 150,000 books and printed items, along with desks and comfortable armchairs for writing, studying, and relaxed reading.
- Visitors can eat at the on-site restaurant, Food for Thought, for lunch (noon to 2 p.m.) or snacks (2 p.m. to 5 p.m.).
- The library also hosts a variety of events and courses, which can be booked on their website.
- A variety of 1-week and 2-week scholarships for research and study are available, so why not apply? Over 300 books have been inspired or worked on while the writer was at Gladstone’s Library.
The John Rylands Library: Manchester’s gothic gem
With its imposing presence and intricate details, the John Rylands has been compared with cathedrals, castles, and the magical world of Harry Potter.
Privately commissioned in 1889 and first opened in 1900, this architectural masterpiece in northwestern England became part of the University of Manchester in 1972.
Exploring the Gothic architecture
- A leading example of neo-Gothic architecture in Europe
- Designed by English architect Basil Champneys
- Stunning sandstone exterior decorated with carvings, gargoyles, and towering spires
- Awe-inspiring reading room with stained glass windows, soaring ceilings, pointed arches, oak panels, and chandeliers
Key treasures and rare manuscripts
- One of the world’s top 5 university special collections
- Over 1.4 million books and 200,000 manuscripts in more than 50 languages
- St John Fragment (125 AD): Earliest known piece of the New Testament in any language
- Bhagavata Purana scroll (17th century): A 45-foot sacred Hindu scroll, which has been digitised so visitors can zoom in for more details
- Printed version of The Gutenberg Bible (1455): the first book printed in Europe with moveable metal type
- Rare trilingual version of the Qur’an (15th century)
- Manuscripts: Arabic, Batak, Christie, Coptic, Demotic, Dutch, French, German, Hebrew, Icelandic, Italian, Latin, Mon-So, Music, Mali, Pashto, Persian, Samaritan, Spanish, and Syriac
- Papyri: Arabic, Greek
- Collections: Africa, American Studies, British Pop Archive, Classics and Ancient History, East Asia, Economic and Industrial History, English Literature, Art and Architecture, History of Medicine, History of Science and Technology, Jewish Studies, LGBTQ+, Maps and Travel, Middle East, Performing Arts, Social and Political History, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Australasia, and many more
- Extensive online access to all the special collections
Why these libraries are more than just books
Their role in educating and inspiring
Libraries play a vital role in supporting education at all stages of life.
- Toddlers and young children can borrow picture books and attend storytelling hours at libraries even before they learn to read. In fact, this is a great way to spark kids’ passion for reading, encourage them to explore imaginary worlds, and help them socialize and meet new people.
- Students in primary school can practise reading skills and choose which books they want to borrow, cultivating intellectual curiosity and a love for learning.
- Teenagers can enjoy independence at the library as they meet with friends, study for school or pursue their own interests, from novels to comic books, magazines, and music.
- University students spend vast amounts of time in libraries researching, writing, and studying for their classes.
- Adults visit libraries to explore exhibitions, attend cultural events, pick up new reading materials, and continue their journey of lifelong learning.
Future of libraries in the digital age
- Democratizing access to knowledge. Many libraries are currently in the process of digitising their collections, allowing people around the world to explore resources anytime, anywhere. This means 24/7 access to libraries in countries you may never visit, opening doors to new cultures and diverse perspectives on history.
- Digital inclusion: Many libraries provide free computer and internet access, a crucial community resource for healing the digital divide.
Even if we reach a future where all ancient texts, manuscripts, books, magazines, newspapers, and music recordings are digitised, physical libraries will never disappear.
There is no replacement for the embodied human experience. Libraries are essential to humanity’s eternal pursuit of knowledge and connection, a place for learning, growing, and building community.
FAQs
What is the most famous library in the UK?
The British Library in London is the most famous library in the United Kingdom. It is the world’s largest national library and used to be part of the British Museum.
What is the second-largest library in the UK?
The Bodleian Library is the UK’s second-largest library and the country’s largest university library system. This group of 26 libraries is part of the University of Oxford.
What is the best university library in the UK?
The University of Oxford’s Bodleian Library is the largest university library system in the UK, and also one of the most Instagrammable (specifically the Radcliffe Camera). Maughan Library at King’s College London, the Sir Duncan Rice Library at the University of Aberdeen, and John Rylands Library at Manchester University are also spectacular.
Which British library in the UK has the largest number of items worldwide?
The British Library is one of the largest libraries in the world, with over 170 million items—and its collection grows bigger every day.