#11 Best Libraries in London, UK

The London Library

Specialty: One of the best lending libraries in the world, The London Library was established in 1841. This is a special place to read, write, and find inspiration because of its remarkable history, extensive borrowing collection, and magnificent edifice. Access to a vast collection of over a million volumes spanning from 1700 to the present can be had with a membership in The London Library, nearly all of which are available for loan. Sophisticated reading areas and moody bookshelves abound, making it a singular literary haven right in the middle of London.

Address: 14 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4LG, United Kingdom.

The Maughan Library

Specialty: The following collections housed in the Maughan Library facilitate the teaching and research endeavors of the Humanities, Law, and Science: Studies of business, Traditional Works, computer science, Studies of English films, Law, History, Philosophy, Music, and Politics, Religious studies and theology, the study of war.

Address: Chancery Ln, London WC2A 1LR, United Kingdom.

Westminster Reference Library

Specialty: This is a specialized public reference library that hosts a business information center, exhibition space, and a variety of regular activities.

Address: 35 St Martin’s St, London WC2H 7HP, United Kingdom.

Barbican Library

Specialty: One of the City of London‘s public lending libraries is the Barbican Library. Large volumes, spoken word recordings, DVDs, CDs, and music scores are all available for checkout from the library, along with certain on-site reference materials.

Address: Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS, United Kingdom.

Kensington Central Library

Specialty: Located in Kensington, London, on Hornton Street and Phillimore Walk, Kensington Central Library is a Grade II listed structure. The architect E. Vincent Harris rebuilt it between 1958 and 1960 on the site of The Abbey, a Gothic home built for Mr. Abbot in 1880 that was destroyed by bombing in 1944.

Address: 12 Phillimore Walk, London W8 7RX, United Kingdom.

Bethnal Green Library

Specialty: Located in Bethnal Green Gardens, off Cambridge Road, and just a minute’s drive from Bethnal Green Underground station, the library first opened its doors in 1922.

Address: Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 0HL, United Kingdom.

Guildhall Library

Specialty: Internationally recognized book collections on Samuel Pepys, John Wilkes, Thomas Moore, wine and food, and family and local history may be found at Guildhall Library.

Address: Aldermanbury, London EC2V 5AF, United Kingdom.

Canada Water Library

Specialty: The main challenge for CZWG was designing a space that would satisfy the widely divergent needs of the three main user groups: adults, children, and youth. This had to be done in a building where the floor area needed for the library space was much larger than the building’s footprint on the given site.

Address: 21 Surrey Quays Rd, London SE16 7AR, United Kingdom.

The British Library

Specialty: One of the biggest libraries in the world, the British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom. Not only do we have a vast collection of books, but we also possess newspapers, sound recordings, patents, prints and drawings, maps, manuscripts, and much more. The world’s most fascinating, exquisite, and important books, maps, and manuscripts can be found in the Library. From Gandhi and Florence Nightingale to the Magna Carta and Shakespeare. Go visit our website to learn more.

Address: 96 Euston Rd., London NW1 2DB, United Kingdom.

Little Free Library

Specialty: Through expanding and improving book accessibility in neighborhoods across the globe, we aim to improve literacy rates and foster stronger communities.

Address: Penn St, London N1 5DS, United Kingdom.

Peckham Library

Specialty: The Peckham Library is a library and community building situated in Peckham in south-east London, United Kingdom. It was designed by Alsop and Störmer, engineered by AKT II and won the Stirling Prize for Architecture in 2000. The building is a striking inverted “L” shape with a pre-patinated copper exterior

Address: 145-147 Walworth Road, London, SE17 1RW, United Kingdom.