From medieval stone halls to striking towers of glass, the UK’s best libraries are often as captivating as the books they house. And like exploring an independent bookshop, it’s hard to beat the quiet pleasure of an afternoon spent among the stacks.
So whether you’re planning a cultural weekend getaway, tracking down your favourite film and literary locations, or simply looking for inspiring places to visit, these remarkable libraries offer architecture, heritage and atmosphere in equal measure. Some are hidden behind ancient cloisters, others rise boldly above city skylines – and one even invites you to stay the night.
Plus, it’s World Book Day on 5 March – the perfect excuse, if any was needed, to immerse yourself in the comforting world of the written word.
Here are five of the best libraries to visit across the UK, perfect for book lovers, history enthusiasts and curious travellers alike…
1. Chetham’s Library, Manchester
In continuous use for 350 years, Chetham’s Library in Manchester is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world. It’s housed in a sandstone building dating from 1421 and currently holds more than 10,000 books including first editions of Milton’s Paradise Lost and Shakespeare’s third folio. The library is open to readers Monday to Fridays, or from Monday to Saturday for guided tours.
2.Sir Duncan Rice Library, Aberdeen
This striking tower, fronted by jagged white and clear glass stripes, was designed by architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen in 2011. It’s the University of Aberdeen’s main library, with vast modern and historic collections.
3.Gladstone’s Library, North Wales
The UK’s only residential library houses 26 bedrooms and the former Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone’s own book collection. You can register to become a Reader for free and study among the stacks and world-famous reading rooms seven days a week. Or check in for an overnight trip to immerse yourself in its 150,000 books.
4.Picton Reading Room and Hornby Library,
Modelled after the British Library Reading Room, this Grade II-listed library was the first in the UK to be lit with electricity. Part of Liverpool’s Central Library, visit from Monday to Saturday.
5.Radcliffe Camera, Oxford
England’s earliest circular library built in 1737, explore the ‘Rad Cam’ on a guided tour. It’s connected to the Bodleian Old Library – one of the oldest in Europe and used as a filming location in the Harry Potter films – by an underground tunnel.
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