Visit the British Library
You can visit our buildings in London or Yorkshire for free, although our services are currently limited.
In London you can use our St Pancras Reading Rooms and public desks for personal study, and visit all our galleries, including the free Treasures Gallery. We've also got events, courses, activities for schools, our Business and IP Centre, and if you're a British Library Member, you can visit our Members' Room
In Yorkshire you can use our Boston Spa Reading Room. We also have a growing programme of workshops, events and exhibitions in Leeds and the surrounding area.
We’re continuing to recover from a significant cyber-attack which has caused disruption to our research services. Find out more so you can plan your visit.
Have you tried our digital guide? Explore some of the world's most significant books, maps and manuscripts, discover artworks on display throughout our building in London St Pancras and access behind-the-scenes content with the free British Library Bloomberg Connects digital guide.
Opening times
St Pancras, London, building opening times
This includes our public spaces, our Members' Room, our permanent Treasures Gallery and our Entrance Hall display space.
The Treasures Gallery is closed on Monday 2 June, Friday 13 June, Monday 23 June and between 18 August –27 September.
View exhibition opening times and Business & IP Centre opening times. See our upcoming building closures.
- Monday
- 09.30 – 20.00
- Tuesday
- 09.30 – 20.00
- Wednesday
- 09.30 – 20.00
- Thursday
- 09.30 – 20.00
- Friday
- 09.30 – 18.00
- Saturday
- 09.30 – 17.00
- Sunday
- 11.00 – 17.00
St Pancras, London, Reading Rooms opening times
Maps, Manuscripts and Asian & African Studies close at 17.00.
- Monday
- 10.00 – 20.00
- Tuesday
- 09.30 – 20.00
- Wednesday
- 09.30 – 20.00
- Thursday
- 09.30 – 20.00
- Friday
- 09.30 – 17.00
- Saturday
- 09.30 – 17.00
- Sunday
- Closed
St Pancras, London, Reader Registration opening times
- Monday - Thursday
- 09.30 – 17.45
- Friday
- 09.30 – 16.15
- Saturday
- 09.30 – 16.45
- Sunday
- Closed
Boston Spa, Yorkshire, Reading Room opening times
See our upcoming public holiday closures.
- Monday - Friday
- 09.00 – 16.30
Where is the British Library?
The main entrance to our St Pancras site is 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB.
Our Boston Spa site is located at Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7BQ.
Contact us
Email customer@bl.uk or use our online chat (Monday to Friday, 09.30 – 16.00).
Facilities
Cloakrooms and lockers
Visitors to our Reading Rooms are required to leave coats and bags in the cloakroom or in a locker. If you're visiting our exhibition galleries you will also need to leave backpacks in the cloakroom. Our cloakroom and digital lockers are free to use, located on the Lower Ground Floor. Please note our cloakroom is closed on Sundays, but you can use our lockers.
Large luggage
We restrict the size of luggage you can bring into the Library to airline ‘carry on’ size. Any luggage larger than 56 (H) x 45 (W) x 25 (D) cm will not be allowed into the British Library for safety and security reasons. There is a size gauge outside our entrance.
Please note that this size restriction does not apply to pushchairs, foldaway bicycles, umbrellas or walking sticks.
E-scooters, e-bicycles and e-unicycles are not permitted.
Refreshments
Eat, drink, shop
You'll find delicious hot and cold food and drinks at the cafés and restaurant at our London site to keep you going during your visit.
Find beautiful books, fantastic fairy tales, classic crime stories and more in our shops. You can visit us in the London Entrance Hall or online shop.
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available. No username or password is required but you will need to agree to the Terms and Conditions to access it.
Last Word community hub
You can visit our local community hub on our Piazza in St Pancras.
Open Monday – Saturday 10.00 – 16.00, but times may vary to respond to community needs.
Accessibility
Accessibility at our St Pancras, London site
Blue Badge parking
Parking bays for Blue Badge holders can be found on Ossulston Street.
Our Ossulston Street entrance is fully ramped and is approximately 100 metres from the main entrance. There are also public metered bays in this area.
Step-free access and seating
All floors have step-free access, including into all our Reading Rooms, events spaces, exhibitions and Learning Centre.
All Reading Room doors as well as entrances to the Knowledge Centre have button-assisted opening.
Seating is available for visitors around the building. Folding gallery stools are available in the galleries.
Accessible toilets
Accessible toilets can be found on all floors.
The nearest Changing Places toilet is at King's Cross station.
Wheelchairs
Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge, subject to availability. Please ask a member of staff on arrival.
Please note that assistance cannot be provided in the use of these wheelchairs.
Guide and assistance dogs
We welcome guide dogs and assistance dogs. Dog bowls are available at the Information Desk, Reading Rooms and all cafés.
Hearing support systems
Hearing induction loops are installed at the following locations:
- All Reading Room enquiry desks
- The Information Desk at the main entrance.
- The Knowledge Centre meeting rooms (set up on request)
- The Piggott Theatre, which also operates the Sennheiser MobileConnect system.*
* The Sennheiser MobileConnect system is a digital hearing system that gives users individual control over their feed by broadcasting to an app. The app is available on both Android and iOS devices. To use the system, download the app to your device. If you don't have a smartphone, you can borrow one of three pre-loaded devices on arrival at the Knowledge Centre. Just speak to a member of staff.
Concession tickets
Concessions are available for disabled visitors for ticketed exhibitions and events. Free tickets are available for personal assistants and these tickets can be booked via See Tickets.
Reading Rooms
Our Reading Rooms in St Pancras, London are located on Floors 1, 2 and 3.
To use our Reading Rooms, you must first get a free Reader Pass at Reader Registration on the Upper Ground Floor at St Pancras or Reception in Boston Spa. If you are visiting with an assistant or carer, both of you will need a Reader Pass.
Our Reading Rooms contain height-adjustable tables and lowered service desks, alternative keyboards, and specialist equipment and facilities for Readers with visual and hearing impairments.
For any assistance within the Reading Rooms, please speak to Reading Room staff or contact accessibility@bl.uk in advance of your visit.
Accessibility at our Boston Spa, Yorkshire site
Entering the site
The Boston Spa site in Yorkshire is located at the entrance to the Thorp Arch Trading Estate. You will be stopped at our gatehouse by a security barrier if you are travelling by car, or by our security team in the security office at the site entrance.
Blue Badge parking
There are numerous blue badge parking spaces available for the Reading Rooms. As you enter the Boston Spa site our Security Team will advise on the best parking area.
Step-free access and seating for wheelchair users
Access to the Reading Room in Boston Spa and Reader Registration is all on one level. The Reading Room door has button-assisted opening. The Reading Room has a height-adjustable desk for Readers to use.
Accessible toilets
There is an accessible toilet next to the Reading Room.
Guide and assistance dogs
Guide and assistance dogs are welcome in the building. Dog bowls are available.
Induction loops
Hearing induction loops are installed at Reception, Reader Registration, the Reading Room and Conference Centre.
Reading Room
The Reading Room has alternative keyboards and facilities for people with visual and hearing impairments.
To use our Reading Rooms, you must first get a free Reader Pass at Reception in Boston Spa. If you are visiting with an assistant or carer, both of you will need a Reader Pass.
If you require a private facility for medical reasons during your visit, please contact accessibility@bl.uk in advance of your visit.
Please note that the Reading Room in Boston Spa does not have air conditioning.