Written by Sara Macauley PHOTOGRAPHS BYGETTY IMAGES
There’s something rather romantic about libraries. In such a bustling metropolitan city, having space to relax, unwind and just read feels like a luxury these days. While libraries in London can often be just as busy and loud as the streets outside, we’ve done our homework to bring you South London’s best libraries to wander, absorb the architecture and escape the city…
THE NATIONAL ART LIBRARY AT THE V&A MUSEUM The iconic Victoria and Albert Museum is a well-known spot for heritage lovers, but have you peered through its glass doors into the National Art Library? Tucked inside the reading rooms and overlooking the John Madejski Garden, this library (which is older than the V&A itself) is a treasure trove of books on subjects central to the V&A collections. With over one million books housed under the same roof, you’ll never tire of the material in this library. Expect to find literature on drawings, paintings, photography, fashion and design to name a few. The library is free to join – you just need to provide ID and proof of address. It’s an art lover’s paradise.
ADDRESS: Cromwell Road, Knightsbridge, London, SW7 2RL. Closest tube stop: South Kensington
THE LONDON LIBRARY In 1840, esteemed Scottish author Thomas Carlyle stood up in a meeting in Covent Garden and proclaimed the need for a lending library in London. His idea came to fruition in May 1841 in the form of The London Library – one of the largest independent lending libraries in the world. With an incredible 17 miles of bookshelves spanning across 7 interlocking buildings, this library boasts everything a book lover could possibly wish for. Spend an hour wandering across the metal grille floors, peering down at the shelves below (though not if you’re afraid of heights!) The library isn’t free, but it does provide free hour-long tours on weekday evenings if you’re just after a look around.
ADDRESS: 14 St James’s Square, St James’s, London, SW1Y. Closest tube stop: Piccadilly Circus or Green Park
Top Study Spaces The Best Libraries in South London Written by Sara Macauley PHOTOGRAPHS BYGETTY IMAGES
There’s something rather romantic about libraries. In such a bustling metropolitan city, having space to relax, unwind and just read feels like a luxury these days. While libraries in London can often be just as busy and loud as the streets outside, we’ve done our homework to bring you South London’s best libraries to wander, absorb the architecture and escape the city…
THE NATIONAL POETRY LIBRARY AT THE SOUTHBANK CENTRE Know your Keats from your T. S. Eliot? Then you’ll want to check out The National Poetry Library, which aims to hold all contemporary UK poetry publications dating as far back as 1912. Opened by T.S. Eliot and Herbert Read in 1953, the library has moved from venue to venue and is now housed on level 5 of The Southbank Centre. Dubbed as one of the most peaceful libraries in London, this haven is the perfect place to indulge a few hours daydreaming and skimming through the work of some of the UK’s best poets.
ADDRESS: Level 5, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX Closest tube stop: Waterloo
CANADA WATER LIBRARY Set in a unique inverted pyramid-shaped building is Canada Water Library, which has been described as a ‘super library.’ Far from the quaint, antique feel of some of London’s older libraries, this new age design still has plenty going for it. The Canada Water Library has Scandinavian-style décor, and the bookshelves wind around in a zig-zag fashion. This library houses weekly writing groups and plenty of study space, so it’s well worth a visit for the futuristic architecture alone.
ADDRESS: 21 Surrey Quays Road, London, SE16 7AR. Closest overground stop: Canada Water