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.
Changes to St Pancras opening times due to planned transport strikes
| Saturday 30 September | 10.00 - 17.00 |
| Wednesday 4 October | 11.00 - 18.00 |
| Friday 6 October | 11.00 - 18.00 |
Early closures
On Thursday 19 October the Treasures Gallery will close at 18.00.
The Treasures Gallery will be closed all day on 11 December 2023, 4 March 2024 and 10 June 2024.
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.
The Treasures Gallery will be closed all day on 11 December 2023, 4 March 2024 and 10 June 2024.
On Thursday 19 October the Treasures Gallery will close at 18.00.
| 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 |
| Sunday 24 December 2023 |
Closed |
Closed |
| Monday 25 December 2023 | Closed | Closed |
| Tuesday 26 December 2023 | Closed | Closed |
| Wednesday 27 December 2023 | Closed | Closed |
| Thursday 28 December 2023 | Open as normal | Open as normal |
| Friday 29 December 2023 | Open as normal | Open as normal |
| Saturday 30 December 2023 | Open as normal | Open as normal |
| Sunday 31 December 2023 | Open as normal | Open as normal |
| Monday 1 January 2024 | Closed | Closed |
| Friday 29 March 2024 |
Reading Rooms closed Exhibition Galleries & public areas open 11.00– 17.00 |
Closed |
| Saturday 30 March 2024 |
Reading Rooms closed Exhibition Galleries & public areas open 11.00– 17.00 |
Closed |
| Sunday 31 March 2024 |
Reading Rooms closed Exhibition Galleries & public areas open 11.00– 17.00 |
Closed |
| Monday 1 April 2024 |
Reading Rooms closed Exhibition Galleries & public areas open 11.00– 17.00 |
Closed |
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