St Pancras opening times
Full information on opening times for the exhibition galleries, Shop, Reader Registration, Reading Rooms and restaurants.
The entire British Library building, including the Mughal India exhibition, will be closed from Good Friday 29 March to Easter Sunday 31 March. Exhibition galleries and public areas will re-open on Easter Monday 1 April, 11.00 - 17.00. Please note Reading Rooms will reopen as normal on Tuesday 2 April.
Exhibition galleries and the Shop
Note: the Reading Rooms are closed on Sundays and English Public Holidays. See seasonal closures (right-hand column).
Times are UK local time.
| 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
All times are UK local time.
| 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 at St Pancras 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
Catering facilities
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
