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British Library

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British Library

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Not just the domain of hardworking students, the British Library also has special collections to see interesting exhibitions. The library holds every publication produced in the British Isles. There are so many publications and books, that no one even knows the exact amount, but it is roughly 170 million. Publications that the public can see in the collections range from pre-printing press illuminated manuscripts to music by the Beatles.

 

Discovery Days are available at the library involving puppetry, theatre, music, art and storytelling and monthly workshops. There’s such an abundance of things to see at this library including the text of the Magna Carta, Lindisfarne Gospels, Jane Austen’s notebook, handwritten lyrics by the Beatles, Leonardo da Vinci’s notebook and Nizami’s Five Poems – and those are just a few of the treasures you can see.

 

Sir John Ritblat: Treasures of the British Library Gallery is “The holy grail for history buffs” – Time Out.

 

You can eat and drink in one of the cafes or visit the Shop, the perfect place for the curious and literary-minded. And discover more about the British Library’s history, collections or architecture on a tour of the building. Over summer there are plenty of family events for kids. Find out more here.

 


Booking Advice:

  • The British Library is FREE
  • Some special exhibitions should be booked in advance online

VISITOR INFORMATION

Where:

96 Euston Road
London
NW1 2DB

Phone number:

+44 (0)20 7412 7332

Website:

How to get there:

Tube: King’s Cross St Pancras

Journey Planner

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Teen Verdict

Things to do, places to go for kids and teenagers - cool, academic, fun and entertaining in London and beyond with KidRated

Elliot, Age 15

We went to an exhibition about the Magna Carta that was quite interesting. But it’s a library so it basically full of books and many of them are locked away and you need to be a member or something to see them.

There’s lots of students and people actually working here so it’s not really a place for kids or teenagers to hang about in. But the courtyard outside is a good place to sit and have a coffee or meet friends.

Parent Point of View

Things to do, places to go for kids and teenagers - cool, academic, fun and entertaining in London and beyond with KidRated

Laura Porter

  • The statue of Isaac Newton in the piazza, by Eduardo Paolizzi, is a ‘talking statue’.
  • Free wifi available (but you need to set up an account).
  • Do note, the courtyard can be very slippery when wet.
  • Paradoxymoron painting on the lower ground floor is a fun trompe l’oeil.
  • In the music section, use the headphones to listen to the Beatles!
  • The free family trail is great so well worth downloading.

You can find loads more information by Laura Porter at aboutlondonlaura.com 

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