Place

British Library

British Library is a national library in King's Cross. The UK's national library displays rare manuscripts, maps, Qur'anic and Islamic manuscripts, Magna Carta material and literary treasures. For Muslim and family travellers, its value is not only the sight itself but the way it fits into a wider route: The free Treasures Gallery is ideal for a short high-value visit.

City guideKing's Cross

British Library, London. Source: Wikimedia Commons.David Howard, CC BY-SA 2.0

Why visit

The British Library is the national library of the UK and holds over 150 million items from several countries in many languages and formats. You will have access to books, manuscripts, journals, newspapers, magazines, sound and music recordings, videos, play-scripts, patents, databases, maps, stamps, prints and drawings.

What to see

Originally, the British Library was a part of the British Museum (which was established in 1753) but as of 1973 the British Library became a separate entity with two branches, one at Boston Spa in West Yorkshire and Colindale and a main branch in St Pancras, London.

Plan your visit

There are several exhibits that run throughout the year so you may be lucky enough to visit at the same time that original works by Austen, Dickens and Bronte are on display.

Good to know

King’s Cross/St Pancras, Euston and Euston Square.

Good to know

By bus: Bus numbers 10, 30, 59, 63, 73 and 9 all stop near the British Library.

Good to know

Mon – Thu: 9:30am – 8:00pm

Sources and updates

References used by Irhal's editors to verify this page.

Last editorial review: 2026-06-11

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British Library

City guideKing's Cross

Why visit