St Pancras opening times
Full information on opening times for the building itself, exhibition galleries, Shop, Reader Registration, Reading Rooms and restaurants.
The British Library building
Note: the Exhibition Galleries and Shop close at 18.00, except on Tuesday when they close at 20.00.
The Reading Rooms are closed on Sunday and English Public Holidays. See also seasonal closures (right-hand column).
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun & English Public Holidays |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09.30- 20.00 | 09.30- 20.00 | 09.30- 20.00 | 09.30- 20.00 | 09.30- 18.00 | 09.30- 17.00 | 11.00- 17.00 |
Exhibition Galleries and the Shop
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun & English Public Holidays |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09.30- 18.00 | 09.30- 20.00 | 09.30- 18.00 | 09.30- 18.00 | 09.30- 18.00 | 09.30- 17.00 | 11.00- 17.00 |
Reader Registration office
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun & English Public Holidays |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09.30- 17.45 | 09.30- 19.45 | 09.30- 17.45 | 09.30- 17.45 | 09.30- 16.15 | 09.30- 16.15 | Closed |
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the office closes.
Reading Rooms
To use our Reading Rooms for the first time you will need to register for a Reader Pass.
The Reading Rooms are closed on Sundays and English Public Holidays. See seasonal closures (right-hand column).
All times are UK local time.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun & English Public Holidays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business & IP Centre, Humanities, Rare Books & Music, Science, Social Sciences | 10.00- 20.00 | 09.30- 20.00 | 09.30- 20.00 | 09.30- 20.00 | 09.30- 17.00 | 09.30- 17.00 | Closed |
| Asian & African Studies, Maps, Manuscripts | 10.00- 17.00 | 09.30- 17.00 | 09.30- 17.00 | 09.30 17.00 | 09.30- 17.00 | 09.30- 17.00 | Closed |
Sound Archive Listening & Viewing Service
Available by appointment in the Rare Books & Music Reading Room during opening hours
Philatelic Collections Researchers' Room
By appointment only, 10.00 - 16.00 Monday to Friday
Food and drink
Restaurant and Terrace | Café | Last Word on the Piazza | Espresso Bar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 09.30 - 17.00 | 09.30 - 19.30 | 08.30 - 16.30 | 08.00 - 19.00 |
| Tue | 09.30 - 17.00 | 09.30 - 19.30 | 08.30 - 16.30 | 08.00 - 19.00 |
| Wed | 09.30 - 17.00 | 09.30 - 19.30 | 08.30 - 16.30 | 08.00 - 19.00 |
| Thu | 09.30 - 17.00 | 09.30 - 19.30 | 08.30 - 16.30 | 08.00 - 19.00 |
| Fri | 09.30 - 17.00 | 09.30 - 17.30 | 08.30 - 16.30 | 08.00 - 18.30 |
| Sat | 09.30 - 16.00 | 09.30 - 16.30 | 09.00 - 16.30 | 09.00 - 17.00 |
| Sun | Closed | 11.00 - 16.30 | Closed | 11.00 - 17.00 |
Restaurant and Terrace
Location: Floor 1
Service offered: Self-service. Freshly prepared breakfast upon request, Peyton & Byrne pastries, porridge and sandwiches all served until 11.00. Lunch from midday to 15.00. Pasta bar, salad bar, pies, hot roast of the day which can also be had as a sandwich, soups, Peyton & Byrne pastries and cakes and sandwiches. Also available is coffee, tea, soft drinks, beers and wine. Seating inside and outside
Café
Location: Upper Ground Floor
Service offered: Counter service. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, Peyton & Byrne pastries and cakes, salads, sandwiches, cold snacks and lunch-time soup. Inside seating only
Cotton Room (for Readers and Friends of the British Library)
Location: Floor 3
Service offered: Lounge with vending machines serving drinks and snacks
The Last Word
Location: Piazza
Service offered: Counter service. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, Peyton & Byrne pastries and cakes, salads, sandwiches, cold snacks. Seating inside and outside
The Espresso Bar
Location: Euston Road
Service offered: Counter service. Freshly roasted coffee; Freshly prepared hot churros, sandwiches, soft drinks and Peyton & Byrne pastries and cakes. Seating inside and outside
