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Description
Founded in 1841, The London Library is an iconic literary institution that boasts over a million books and periodicals dating back to the 18th century. It's the perfect venue for lovers of the written word to come together under its rich architecture and impressive bookshelves.
With an enviable location directly off St James’s Square and a minute’s walk from Piccadilly and Pall Mall, the Library's stunning, yet modest façade hides a wealth of amazing features that are sure to provide a unique and memorable occasion for you and your guests.
There are several spaces available within the Library that balance beautiful 19th-century interiors with more contemporary styles whilst highlighting the vast and varied collection of rare books and manuscripts. The Reading Room, our largest space, features soaring book-lined walls and Victorian iron balustrades that look out over St James’s Square, ideal for receptions of up to 200 or seated dinners of up to 100.
For smaller weddings, couples looking for a more stately atmosphere can hire the Study or turn to the Writers Room for an airy, modern alternative. Our Art Room serves as the perfect balance between our large and small spaces, offering a glimpse into the Library’s impressive art collection and contemporary design.
These spaces are available Wednesday until Saturday evenings (after 5:30pm) or Sunday anytime on an exclusive basis and offer an inspiring and unforgettable event experience. Tours are also available of the Library's seven interlocking buildings, housing 17 miles of open access bookshelves and over one million books, making it one of the most unique event spaces in London.
We offer custom book displays and an 'Adopt a Book' to all couples and would love to work with you to curate the perfect day. We work with a range of suppliers to offer bespoke packages, which can include dressing rooms, a dedicated day-of coordinator, exclusive engagement or wedding photo locations in the Library, or wedding video services.
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Reviews (15)
- IIrish Times10/07/2025A Sanctuary for LoveA Sanctuary for LoveWith about one million books, it’s the largest independent lending library in the world but for its members, it’s much more than that. When you push open the heavy entrance door and pass through the electronic turnstile, you find yourself in a place that’s at once rarified and unpredictable.With about one million books, it’s the largest independent lending library in the world but for its members, it’s much more than that. When you push open the heavy entrance door and pass through the electronic turnstile, you find yourself in a place that’s at once rarified and unpredictable.
- TTime Out10/07/2025London’s best and most beautiful librariesLondon’s best and most beautiful librariesListed in Time Out's "London’s best and most beautiful libraries"Listed in Time Out's "London’s best and most beautiful libraries"
- AArya M10/07/2025Great EnvironmentGreat EnvironmentVery friendly and great environment for event or shooting filmsVery friendly and great environment for event or shooting films
- AAdult Literacy Trust10/07/2025The Perfect VenueThe Perfect VenueWe were so pleased with how it went, and the Library was absolutely the perfect venue for it.We were so pleased with how it went, and the Library was absolutely the perfect venue for it.
- TThe Londonist10/07/2025A Bit of a GemA Bit of a GemArchitecturally, the library is a bit of a gem. It's full of strange portals and mysterious spaces — none more so than in the famous bookstacks. 35ft high book stacks support four storeys of American-built iron grille floors. It's an industrial temple of learning...In many other parts of the building the library demonstrates a subtle mix of the contemporary and the traditional. Architecturally, the library is a bit of a gem. It's full of strange portals and mysterious spaces — none more so than in the famous bookstacks. 35ft high book stacks support four storeys of American-built iron grille floors. It's an industrial temple of learning...In many other parts of the building the library demonstrates a subtle mix of the contemporary and the traditional.
- JJanine & Richard13/06/2025Wedding ThanksWedding ThanksTo Megan from The London Library for her kindness & support. Not least in agreeing to host a wedding supper here!To Megan from The London Library for her kindness & support. Not least in agreeing to host a wedding supper here!
- GGuest at Christmas event in Library30/05/2025Marvellous PartyMarvellous PartyThat was a marvellous party on Wednesday. Delicious food and drinks, delightful fellow guests and most entertaining speechesThat was a marvellous party on Wednesday. Delicious food and drinks, delightful fellow guests and most entertaining speeches
- TTime Out30/05/2025The Rolls Royce of LibrariesThe Rolls Royce of LibrariesFounded in 1841 by Victorian writer and historian Thomas Carlyle, the library boasts a distinguished list of members and patrons that includes Thackeray, Dickens, Tennyson, Kipling, TS Eliot. The collections cover a broad spectrum of subjects, with a particular focus on humanities, and browsing the million volumes on 15 miles of open-access shelves can unearth such idiosyncratic sections as imaginary history, foreign impressions of England, old children’s stories, dreams and duelling.Founded in 1841 by Victorian writer and historian Thomas Carlyle, the library boasts a distinguished list of members and patrons that includes Thackeray, Dickens, Tennyson, Kipling, TS Eliot. The collections cover a broad spectrum of subjects, with a particular focus on humanities, and browsing the million volumes on 15 miles of open-access shelves can unearth such idiosyncratic sections as imaginary history, foreign impressions of England, old children’s stories, dreams and duelling.
- TThe Standard30/05/2025Bibliophile's DelightBibliophile's DelightTucked modestly into a corner of St James’s Square hides one of London’s little-known treasures. The London Library, founded by Thomas Carlyle in 1841, is probably the most wonderful library in the world.Tucked modestly into a corner of St James’s Square hides one of London’s little-known treasures. The London Library, founded by Thomas Carlyle in 1841, is probably the most wonderful library in the world.
- SSecret London30/05/2025Veritable Literary InstitutionVeritable Literary InstitutionThe London Library is one of the world’s largest lending independent libraries, and a veritable literary institution. It’s also rather aesthetic. Founded in 1841, the library holds a remarkable collection of over one million books and periodicals. And as if that wasn’t enough, it’s supplemented with some 8,000 new volumes added annually. The London Library is one of the world’s largest lending independent libraries, and a veritable literary institution. It’s also rather aesthetic. Founded in 1841, the library holds a remarkable collection of over one million books and periodicals. And as if that wasn’t enough, it’s supplemented with some 8,000 new volumes added annually.
Location & Contact Details for The London Library
Describe the best wedding that happened at your venue?
The best one is the one we're hosting at the moment - it could be yours!
What is your No.1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Find a place as unique as you
What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?
Personalised book displays are always the way to go
Describe your venue in 5 adjectives.
Historic, literary, quirky, beautiful, grand
Where’s the best photo spot at your venue?
The Back Stacks
Have you had any celebrity guest or wedding at your venue?
All of our guests are celebrities at the Library
What’s your favourite canapé?
Whatever doesn't stain the Reading Room carpet!
What’s your favourite midnight treat?
A good book
What is your venue's most unique feature?
The labyrinthine back stacks
What part of your business are you most proud of?
Being the home of literary inspiration
