From Magna Carta and Shakespeare to Ada Lovelace and The Beatles. Explore some of the world’s most exciting, beautiful and significant books, manuscripts and sound recordings.
Telling the remarkable stories of over 2,000 years of human experience, our Treasures of the British Library Gallery gives you a peek into the wonders of our vast collection:
- Enter the minds of literature’s greatest writers: view the desk where Jane Austen penned her novels, original writings from Charles Dickens and Shakespeare’s First Folio.
- See the Lindisfarne Gospels and the oldest surviving examples of printed text in Japan.
- Get a whistle-stop tour around the world with religious texts from across the globe, including one of the earliest Qur’ans and a Hindu manuscript written on a palm leaf.
- Explore science and innovation through the ages from Michelangelo’s anatomical illustrations to Anne McLaren’s early experiments into in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
- Meet Gandhi, the Suffragettes and other courageous figures who have inspired change.
Get a taste of what’s inside the Gallery in our accompanying Treasures website.
What’s new in Treasures?
From January 2019, you will find:
- A completely new Printing case including the Gutenberg Bible, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and the world’s oldest dated complete printed book, the Diamond Sutra
- Leonardo da Vinci’s theatrical stage designs
- A new case on contemporary female artists.
Temporary displays
We also have temporary displays throughout the year. Delve into the life and writings of William Wordsworth from 17 January until 31 May 2020.

Notes about the gallery space
You may find the Sir John Ritblat Gallery cooler and darker than other areas of the Library. This controlled environment protects any items that may fade, discolour, or be damaged in bright light or humid conditions. We recommend bringing an extra layer for your comfort.
Items are taken off display on a regular basis for conservation reasons and may also be lent to other institutions for exhibition. If you wish to be sure that a particular item is on display, please check in advance. Tel: +44 (0)20 7412 7332
Journeying through history is thirsty work...
Need some time out? Refuel in our cafés and restaurant, or browse our range of books and gifts in our shop.
Details
| Name: | Treasures of the British Library |
|---|---|
| Where: |
The Sir John Ritblat: Treasures Gallery The British Library 96 Euston Road London NW1 2DB Show map How to get to the Library |
| When: |
Monday to Sunday
Opening times and visitor information |
| Price: | Free |
| Enquiries: | +44 (0)1937 546546 boxoffice@bl.uk |
