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.
Visiting us over a public holiday? Please see our Seasonal Closures section below.
Early closures at St Pancras
During these times, the rest of the Library will remain open as normal.
On Sunday 18 June 2023
- The Upper Ground Gallery will be closed all day
On Thursday 22 June 2023
- All exhibitions (including Treasures Gallery) and Upper Ground Floor will close at 16.30
- Entrance Hall will close at 17.00. Reading Rooms will remain open as normal
On Thursday 6 July 2023 our entire London site will close at 16.30 (including Reading Rooms, the Knowledge Centre and Piazza).
Between 5–7 July bike stands on the Piazza will not be accessible for bicycle parking
On Tuesday 11 July
- Our entire London site will close at 14.00 (including Reading Rooms, the Knowledge Centre and Piazza)
- The Upper Ground Floor Café will close all day
- All other onsite catering outlets will close at 13.30
On Wednesday 12 July 2023
- Our Boston Spa site will close at 14.00 (including the Reading Room and Customer Services)
- There will be no hot food available from the onsite restaurant. Take-away sandwiches, snacks and hot/cold drinks will be available between 08.30 – 10.00
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
Visiting us over a public holiday? Please note our amended opening times.
Date | London,St Pancras | Boston Spa |
Monday 28 August 2023 |
Reading Rooms closed Exhibition Galleries & public areas open 11.00 – 17.00 |
Closed |
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