The British Library holds a wealth of resources relating to the history of the UK and Ireland, from printed books, newspapers and pamphlets to manuscript diaries, letters and maps.

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Reading Room Paul Grundy

St Pancras Reading Rooms

At St Pancras we have 11 Reading Rooms, each specialising in a different subject area or type of material and with different opening hours. In our Reading Rooms you can:

  • Consult books, journals and other items from our collections
  • Access a wide range of electronic resources and electronic journals
  • Consult subject guides, bibliographies and other research aids

If you need help, please ask our Reference Specialists at the enquiry desks or contact the Reference Service.

We offer a range of free Reader sessions and 1-2-1 consultations to help you make the best use of the Library's collections.

You’ll need a Reader Pass

Opening hours for all Reading Rooms

Over 500 collection items from the British Library and institutions across Europe

Series of scenes of the first English Civil War, progressing from a meeting of conspirators to the execution of the king

Print of scenes from the first English Civil War

Death warrant of Charles I, a wide document which contains a handwritten statement, wax seals and 59 signatures

The death warrant of Charles I

29 January 1648/9

Illustrated pamphlet of the National Union of Womens Suffrage Societies, depicting a tree with branches showing the society's regionality

NUWSS pamphlets