The British Library, known as 'the ship of knowledge,' not just for hosting the nation's greatest volume of archival material, but also for the nautical inspired design. 

The seafaring theme can be spotted in the grand ship-like structure of the building, the portholes looking through to the outside world and the shell fossils in the stones underfoot.  

Beyond the nautical elements, the building also boasts a rich literary, cultural and historical presence, as the home of every published piece in history in the UK and the forefront of conservation. This can be admired through a free trip to the Treasures Gallery where you can view some of the most important works of our history, including the original Magna Carta.  

Eager to get more acquainted with history? Request access to the archive via our Reading Room service where you can handle and observe original pieces, also free to all.  

The historical, literary and cultural presence comes through in design features. Staircases are bound in leather to mirror bookbinding, large artworks – tapestries, statues and painting – can be observed throughout and, of course, the astonishing King's Library in the glass-enclosed centre of the main building.  

You can choose to host an event in the main building or the Knowledge Centre. To make the most of a trip to the Library, we recommend enquiring about private tours, to truly get to know what makes us so unique.