Opening hours

Opening times for the British Library's buildings, exhibition galleries and Reading Rooms in London and Yorkshire

Popping in to eat, drink or shop? Find our café and shop opening times. 

Changes to our opening hours

Please note the early closures taking place due to a private events:

  • On Tuesday 29 November 2022 the Piazza will be closed until 09.00.
  • On Tuesday 06 December 2022 the Treasures Gallery, Entrance Hall and Upper Ground Floor will close at 17.00.
  • On Wednesday 7 December 2022 the Treasures Gallery will close at 17.00.
  • On Thursday 08 December 2022 all exhibitions (including Treasures Gallery), as well as the Entrance Hall and Upper Ground Floor will close at 17.00.

During these times, the rest of the Library will remain open as normal.

London, St Pancras building opening times 

This includes our public spaces, our permanent Treasures Gallery and our Entrance Hall display space, with the exception of special event days, when these areas may close earlier

 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

London, St Pancras Reading Rooms opening times

Monday 10.00 – 20.00 (Maps, Manuscripts and Asian & African Studies close at 17.00)
Tuesday 09.30 – 20.00 (Maps, Manuscripts and Asian & African Studies close at 17.00)
Wednesday 09.30 – 20.00 (Maps, Manuscripts and Asian & African Studies close at 17.00)
Thursday 09.30 – 20.00 (Maps, Manuscripts and Asian & African Studies close at 17.00)
Friday 09.30 – 17.00
Saturday 09.30 – 17.00
Sunday Closed

London, St Pancras Reader Registration opening times

Monday –Thursday 09.30 – 17.45 
Friday 09.30 – 16.15
Saturday 09.30 – 16.45

London, St Pancras galleries opening times

This includes our temporary exhibitions in our PACCAR galleries. 

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday  09.30 – 18.00 
Tuesday 09.30 – 20.00
Saturday 09.30 – 17.00
Sunday 11.00 – 17.00

London, St Pancras Members' Room

Monday to Thursday 09.30 – 20.00
Friday 09.30 – 18.00
Saturday 09.30 – 17.00
Sunday 11.00 – 17.00

Refreshments available until 30 minutes before the room closes.

Boston Spa, Yorkshire Reading Room and Reader Registration opening times

Monday – Friday 09.00 – 16.30 

Seasonal closures

Date London, St Pancras Boston Spa, Yorkshire 
23 – 27 December 2022 Closed  Closed 
31 December 2022 Open as normal  Closed
1 January 2023  Closed  Closed 
2 January 2023  Reading Rooms closed
Exhibition Galleries and public areas open (11:00 to 17.00)		 Closed